Budget-Friendly Holiday Entertaining Recipes

Here are a few of the recipes from WTNH and News 12 and the Book signing I did today at Whole Foods. Thanks to everyone who came out to nibble and buy books.

Wasabi bites with lime infused crab
($14) Makes 20-25 pieces


1 package wasabi flavored rice crackers
2 Tbs. wasabi paste
6 oz. cream cheese
1 C. lump crab meat
1 lime (for zest and juicing)
½ tsp. Kosher salt
Sesame seeds for garnish (optional)


Combine cream cheese with 2 Tbs. wasabi paste. In another bowl combine crab meat, lime zest, juice from lime, and Kosher salt. Stir until combined.

Place a small dollop of wasabi cream cheese atop a rice cracker followed by a small spoonful of crab mixture. Sprinkle with a pinch of sesame seeds.


White bean and sun-dried tomato bruschetta

($15) Makes 20-25 pieces


1 can white cannelini beans, drained
1 lemon, for zest and juice
3 tbs. olive oil
kosher salt and pepper to taste
½ C. sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
4-5 roasted peppers from a jar
1 bunch parsley
1 loaf sour dough bread


In a bowl, combine rinsed beans, juice and zest from a lemon, olive oil and a good pinch of kosher salt and pepper. Mash with a fork until beans are combined. In a food processor add sun-dried tomatoes, roasted peppers and ½ bunch of washed parsley. Pulse for a few seconds until ingredients are chopped but NOT pureed. Combine mixture with beans. Season to taste. Spread on slices of fresh or toasted bread. Garnish with a few fresh sprigs parsley.


Cannoli bites with strawberries
($12) Makes 20 pieces


1 8 oz. container ricotta cheese
1 C. powdered sugar
1 prepared chocolate angel food cake
1 pint strawberries


Slice pound cake into 1” slices, then slice each piece in half or use a round biscuit cutter.
In a bowl combine ricotta cheese and powdered sugar. Add more sugar as needed.

Rinse and thinly slice strawberries. Place ricotta mixture in a ziplock bag. Cut a small hole at one of the bottom edges. Squeeze a small amount of ricotta mixture on each piece of pound cake. Add a thin slice of strawberry, and garnish with a sprinkling of powdered sugar. Serve.