Easy Holiday Entertaining Ideas

One of the things I love most about the holiday season is hosting parties and entertaining my friends and family in my home. Of course, I love attending festive parties just as much, if not more, because all I have to do is slip on a sparkly dress, wrap up a hostess gift, and I'm ready to rock and roll!

As much as I love hosting friends during the holiday season, it can be stressful when I'm trying to find unique and delicious recipes that will please everyone. I enjoy preparing a variety of different appetizers so it's a more casual atmosphere than a formal sit-down dinner. It's also easier when you're having more than ten people over, and finger foods that are easy to eat make it easier for guests to mingle and walk around, too.

Thanks to Parmalat Canada—and just in time for the holiday party season—a new Black Diamond product has arrived that's sure to be a hit... the Black Diamond Cheese Spread.

Parmalat came to the rescue to help me prepare for the holidays—they sent me a $150 Black Diamond cheese spread pack which included the four different Black Diamond cheese spreads (Original, White, Light, and Sharp) product coupons, a gorgeous Petite Maison By Wildly Delicious Large Olivewood Cheese Board, an Olivewood bread bowl, cheese spreaders, and oven mitts. I'll be using all of this to entertain my guests this festive season.

With the new Black Diamond cheese spreads, you can "Spread It, Spoon It, Dip It"—and more. The new Black Diamond cheese spreads are perfect paired with crackers and bread, or you can fancy things up and try a new recipe—perfect for your holiday entertaining!

I love the easy recipes I found online, like the Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas. I'm not the greatest cook, but this recipe takes only ten minutes to make, so I was brave enough to try making it. Before preparing it for my guests, I prepared it for my toughest critics: my children. Results? They loved it! Next up? I'm making the Cheddar Potato Gratin.

Chicken and Chedder Quesadillas

Prep time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tbsp. Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread
1 red pepper, sliced into strips
1/2 cup pulled roasted chicken
1/4 cup salsa
1 large flour tortilla

Steps:

1. Season peppers with salt and pepper and lightly sauté.
2. Spread Black Diamond Original Cheese Spread on the tortilla. Place peppers and chicken on top. Fold quesadilla in half and place in the oven to broil. Serve with salsa... and voila! You're done. (Note: I used grilled chicken breast in my version, and it still tasted delicious.)

I am also preparing the Cheddar Chickpea Hummus dip for my holiday party. How great does that sound... with some pita bread?  Let's get this party started!

I know you're all busy getting ready for your own holiday parties, ('tis the season!) so Parmalat is sending one of these awesome $150 Black Diamond prize packs to one of my readers, too! (This giveaway is open to Canadian residents only... sorry!) 

To win, just leave me a comment below telling me what you love best about the holiday season. 

I'll pick a winner randomly on December 1st, 2013. 

For more unique recipe ideas, check out Spread It, Dip It. Good Luck!