Let's Party! Christmas Wassail + Three EASY Appetizers

Hello, friends -- Please join me today as I prepare an ancient beverage called "Wassail." Also included in this episode are THREE super-simple (and super-delicious!) nibbles. Recipes are written out below:

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CLASSIC WASSAIL
2 apples (such as 'Honey Crisp')
15-20 cloves for studding the apples
8 cups (1.9 liters) pure apple cider
2 cups (470mls) orange juice
1/3 cup (80mls) lemon juice
4 cinnamon sticks
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Stud the apples with the cloves, and then place the apples in a large pot or Dutch oven. Add the remaining ingredients, stir to combine, and then bring to a simmer on the stove top. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, and then strain and serve.

SAUSAGE AND CHEESE PUFF PASTRY PINWHEELS
1 sheet frozen Puff Pastry dough, thawed but cold
1 beaten egg
2/3 cup (a large handful) shredded cheese (melty cheeses such as "Italian Blend" or "Mexican Blend" work well here)
1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves or Italian seasoning
2 sweet Italian sausage links, cooked and crumbled

Preheat the oven to 400F (200C). Unfold the puff pastry dough, and then roll it out to remove creases.

Brush egg wash in a one inch border across the end of the dough that is the farthest away from you

Sprinkle the cheese and then the crumbled meat over the dough, taking care to avoid the strip of egg wash.

Starting at the end closest to you, tightly roll the pastry into a cylinder. The strip of egg wash will help the cylinder to hold together. (If the dough has softened considerably, chill it in the freezer for 5 minutes.)

Cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds; place each round on a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Bake until the pastry puffs and browns lightly --12-15 minutes. Serve hot, warm, or at room temperature.

SAUSAGE AND PINEAPPLE BITES
Polish Kielbasa or Turkey "Kielbasa"
1 can pineapple chunks
Thai sweet chili sauce in a squeeze bottle

Preheat oven to 350F (180C). Cut the sausage into 1/2 inch coins, topping each coin with a chunk of pineapple. Insert a wooden skewer or toothpick to hold the sausage and pineapple together. Place on a baking sheet, and heat for just 5 minutes in the preheated oven. Retrieve from oven and give the pineapple a short squirt of the chili sauce. Bake for additional 5 minutes . Serve hot, warm, or even cold.

CUCUMBER AND SMOKED SALMON BITES
1 English cucumber
Smoked salmon
2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese
Chopped fresh dill

Cut the cucumber into 1/4 - 1/2-inch rounds. Top each round with a small piece of the smoked salmon. Pipe a small dollop of the cream cheese on top of the salmon. Top with a small sprig of dill, gently pressing the dill against the cream cheese to secure it. Serve cold or at room temperature.

[constancesteinhoff]

Oh my Gosh Kevin. I love the escape into your world away from this crazy world we live in. Your voice is so soothing and I LOVED hearing you sing. This world needs more of you. Our Mr. Rogers for adults. Keep it up.

[irenejoseph]

When you say “bye friends” we know you really mean it. It is lovely and wonderful to be included in your world.

[BrunieStudios]

You are a balm, a calming presence, thank you.

[barbaraprimo]

I don't comment each video, but I watch all of them and it's a real pleasure! Thank you for those peaceful moments. ❤

[bernaclischurchill]

40 of your friends. Seriously, I don't even know 40 people. Great Video.

[betsymcgovern]

Oh my gosh, you can sing beautifully, in addition to all your other talents! I love what Constance said here, our Mr. Rogers for grown-ups. Thank you for all the peace you bring to the world.

[katgore]

Merry Christmas to you and yours… bless us everyone.

[janelucas]

Kevin, your gentleness and knowledge shine!

[charlenewilliford]

And you are very good. This is a meal. You have a beautiful voice. ❤

[Dina-mdji]

Easy to make nibbles presentation and host all looked wonderful This year has crept up on all of us Heatwave time of year in Australia Sun surf and sandy beaches Have a happy Christmas

[RoseWaddell-ke]

Yum, I love smoked salmon and cream cheese with cuc and dill, and wasail❤❤❤❤Merry Christmas Kevin, Mr. fox and the fur babes.

[outikoskela]

Lovely! Especially your dog and cat participating is always such a happy moment❤

[sasunshine]

Love watching your show! You have such a calm demeanor, a wonderful smile, and a fabulous voice! And you have such good information on your channel! Thank you so much for sharing!

[ZalthorAndNoggin]

Warmest Wassailing Greetings Kevin! You are certainly on key with your short rendition of the Wassailing Song. I just loved it. Well done!

As a really busy host at this time of year, lots of work will have gone into your special party for your many friends locally. With those numbers I'm not at all surprised you decided on outside catering. As usual, a great visit for us with lots of delicious recipes and the fun extra special video snippets.

For all I've sung the song, I've never actually made Classic Wassail. As you say, it's simple enough to make, beautifully warming on a cold winter day and I just love your huge serving cups.

All the nibbles you made are perfect for our festive gathering. I've tried the spicy hot sauce but never tried it with heated sausage and pineapple nibbles. Must try that. Love the look of the pinwheels and adore the twist on putting smoked salmon on cucumber instead of biscuits. Nice fresh taste for sure.



Thank you so much as always for another extra special visit. Great to come in out of the cold and enjoy your supreme hospitality. Thank you so very much. All Love and Huge Hugzz, Steve xx

[lightmarker]

Dear Kevin ; An invitation to a party at your home to enjoy food and drink must be a joy to recieve . You are such a considerate host 😊 And of course Mr. Fox too !

[cdailey]

You know it’s good when you get the Kevin head nod. These look fabulous! I just adore your videos!

[adventurenana]

Beautiful table and house. The food and drink look amazing!❤😊

[tricia]

I love it when you take us on a drive, to collect delicious producers 🇬🇧

[lizzi]

Kevin, I bet you can make tastier offerings than any caterer! What's great, though, is how you continually support local businesses. Cheers! 🥂

[donitaforrest]

Your elegant hand painted China Plates just blew my mind! Where did you ever get them? They were my mother's. Or at least exactly the same as my mother's... what I grew up with, the full set, at every holiday or fancy dinner. With fine silverware and crystal glasses... I loved that set but did not inherit them, my niece got them perhaps 15 or 20 years ago. Maybe she sold them online? Can you enlighten me? If they came from BC they were my mom's, I never in my nearly 70 years saw another pattern like it. I would recognize it anywhere. My mom was a natural queen and my parents loved entertaining. God Bless My Beautiful Mother 1920-2020. What a thrill for me to see it again - you can't imagine ❤