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By michael vivar

7 Casual Christmas Appetizers

The months of November and December in the United States are wall-to-wall holidays. Friends, family and food coalesce to create a gestalt of good cheer.

After preparing an elaborate sit-down feast for Thanksgiving, some hosts may be find doing the same for Christmas insurmountable. Appetizers can save the day.

Appetizers normally serve as an introduction. They can double as tapas allowing guests to graze and socialize informally. Here are various options that satisfy.

French-tipped lamb racks with juicy nubbins of fat can be found in median to high-end markets. They are carved after roasting and the bones act as built-in handles.

Lamb Lollipops

Cut the bottoms off so they're less unwieldy and save for stock. A sauté in olive oil with sea salt and coarse pepper takes minutes. Use oil sparingly to prevent greasy fingers.

Asparagus Tips

Sweet white chocolate offsets the tartness of just-about-ripe strawberries and the color scheme fits the holiday season.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

Try a French take. Legs can be found at a butcher shop or ordered frozen online. The Parisian delicacy is similar to chicken with a more delicate flavor and texture.

Frogs' Legs

Cubes of feta wrapped in layers of crispy phyllo bake in high heat for a few minutes. Drizzle honey for a salt and sweet combo. Be sure to pat feta dry or the phyllo will be soggy.

Phyllo Feta Bites

This is a classic British staple. It can be simple using dough sold in a tube with hot dogs or elegant by making puff pastry from scratch wrapped around spicy chorizo.

Sausage Rolls

Serve this quick and versatile dish all year long. Fill de-stemmed portobello caps with anything from meat to hummus, top with cheese, breadcrumbs and herbs, then bake.

Stuffed Mushrooms

"The people who give you their food give you their heart." - Cesar Chavez, civil rights activist

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