Cheesy Stuffed Bread

When we have company and visitors over, especially during the holidays, I like to serve some appetizing foods with cocktails or wine before dinner, but I need them to be simple so I can concentrate my energy on welcoming guests and getting the meal made and on the table.

Here are some of my favorite ideas for holiday appetizers that guests will love but don't take much effort:

• Popcorn with fun seasonings: Everybody loves popcorn, and it's a healthy way to indulge before dinner, and kids especially love it. Top freshly popped popcorn with truffle oil, smoked sea salt, grated Parmesan cheese and rosemary, or chili or curry powder.
• Flavored store-bought dips like hummus with carrot, celery and red pepper sticks. We particularly love Sabra's innovative hummus flavors like Asian Fusion, Roasted Red Pepper, Roasted Garlic, and Basil Pesto hummus.
• Goat cheese topped with pesto, and Brie topped with cranberry sauce (you'll love the festive holiday colors).
• Apple slices topped with blue cheese and chopped walnuts.
• Endive leaves with a dab of goat cheese and chutney.
• A bowl of roasted almonds and dried cranberries.
• Celery cut into thirds and stuffed with Boursin herbed cheese or flavored cream cheese.
• Smoked trout blended with a little mayonnaise and served with rosemary crackers.
• Thin round toasts with thin slices of avocado fanned over them, with chopped toasted pistachios and sea salt sprinkled on top.

For something that takes a little more work, but that will make your guests swoon, make a Cheesy Stuffed Bread that I learned how to make from my friend and colleague, Linda Wolpert. These can be made in advance so you can focus on guests when they arrive, and your kids will have fun helping you stuff them.