Putting some Ho Ho Ho in the Ho-lidays

Now is the time for entertaining, and because now is also the time for multitasking stress, here are some hints for elegant simplicity. And of course, for maximizing the resources of your winter farmers' market.

If you're having a cider or cocktail or tea party, try this spread:
1) a platter of local cheeses with a basket of local breads, and decorate the cheese plate with dried figs.
2) Chinese tea eggs : see How to Fix a Leek...  Set them out on a bed of bright greens (spinach, kale, mesclun) sprinkled with fresh cranberries.
3) A wooden board covered with sliced smoked salami, pepperoni and other delicacies like smoked chicken, with a lovely bowl of local mustard in the middle. And don't forget toothpicks although I find most folks will happily swipe meat with their hands.

That should be more than enough. But if you want to go further or are vegetarian, try this:
Get a loaf of dense white bread--pre-sliced is best-- and a Christmas tree cookie cutter. Cut "trees" out of the bread, put them on a baking sheet and bake at 325º until they are light brown and crisp like "melba toast." Coat the trees with basil or coriander or parsley pesto and then drape one thin pimento over like a garland. Presto! Mini Christmas trees!  Or you can cover them with red pepper hummus and decorate the "tree" with olive slices.  Or you can cut stars out of the bread, bake them and cover with quince paste. Possibilities are nearly endless.

If you need a light meal, try a salad. Here's one can be served warm or room temperature: wild rice, dried cranberries, smoked chicken, roasted pecans or almonds, the sections of a clementine or satsuma mandarin, chopped parsley and a hint of red onion. Dress it with raspberry vinegar and olive oil (2 oil to 1 vinegar).