Impress this Christmas with my no bake bring a plate ideas that look fabulous but are quick and simple.
Christmas isn’t called the silly season for nothing, especially now that we are out of lock down we’re all keen to socialise with friends and family. You may find your calendar filling up with friend’s barbeques, work parties, school graduations, family catch ups and in my case a birthday or two, and that’s even before the big celebration on Christmas Day!
Often when you’re invited over to an event you offer, or are asked, to bring a plate. It’s then when your faced with a dilemma, you want something that’s going to impress but you don’t have the time to be spending hours in the kitchen. Here’s where I’m here to help with my simple bring a plate ideas that don’t require any baking, are quick and simple, and most importantly look fabulous!
Caprese Salad Bites
Simple, elegant and vibrant with those Christmas colours, you can’t go wrong with a Caprese salad. Keep it super cute using a cherry tomato, basil leaf and piece of baby mozzarella on a tooth pick. This idea is great for stand up events with a cocktail food menu.
If you’re looking to make it more substantial use a skewer and add more tomato, basil and mozzarella. Having skewers also makes it easy to serve as people can simply pick one up rather than having to crowd around the salad bowl.
Serve either option with good quality extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Charcuterie Board
A charcuterie board comprises of cured meats, a variety of cheeses, nuts, fruits (fresh and/or dried), olives, spreads, and crackers. Although this is one of the more expensive bring a plates it never fails to be a crowd pleaser and it is really quick and simple to put together.
Give it a festive vibe by either placing ingredients in the shape of a Christmas tree or be a cheat like I would be and buy a tree shaped platter.
Christmas Dessert Platter
This bring a plate platter would be a hit with adults and kids alike and is incredibly simple to prepare. Get together a variety of store bought goodies like gingerbread, wafer sticks, candy canes, and chocolate and load up your platter. Remember no one needs to know that you didn’t bake the gingerbread yourself!
Strawberry Santa’s
This is the most inexpensive and simple bring a plate of the lot but oh so cute. Perfect for an event where children are involved you can have them ready in no time.
- Simply whip 150ml thickened cream with 1/2 tsp of vanilla essence and 2 tsp of caster sugar until very stiff and place in a piping bag.
- Cup the stalk ends off the washed strawberries and pipe cream in the middle, place stalk end on top to make the hat and pipe a little more cream on the top.
- Put some Ice Magic on a tooth pick and quickly dot it on the cream for eyes. Alternatively you could use mini chocolate buttons.
Looking for more ideas? You may also like my Easy Christmas Chocolate Truffles.
