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Spice up the Holidays with Athens Mini Fillo Shells
Bite-sized, pre-baked fillo shells complement seasonal appetizers and desserts
CLEVELAND, July 24, 2007 -- From intimate gatherings to extravagant balls, celebrations and get-togethers fill the holiday season. Beginning with the first slice of turkey on Thanksgiving, millions of Americans host and attend festivities with friends, family and co-workers. People assemble for nearly as many reasons as there are celebrations, but nearly universal to every gathering is food.
It all starts with appetizers. Appetizers set the tone for any dish that follows. They may be bite-sized, but appetizers done right can be bold in taste and presentation. Impressive appetizers, however, don’t have to be difficult to make. The right platform can dress up even the most basic mix. Gourmet crackers are a simple choice, if a bit commonplace, and crostini sounds fancy, but is little more than glorified toast. An alternative that is simple to use, but sophisticated in taste and presentation,is Athens Foods® Mini Fillo Shells. The pre-baked, flaky fillo cups complement just about any filling, and can even put a twist on some holiday favorites.
Thanksgiving wouldn’t seem right, for example, without turkey or cranberry sauce, but who says those favorites are just for dinnertime? Athens Mini Fillo Shells turn them into a savory, sweet appetizer. Smoked Turkey with Cranberry Salsa mixes cranberries, smoked turkey, honey and minced onion and adds a jalapeño pepper for a little kick. They are easy to make, punch up a favorite holiday combination and get everybody properly prepped for the dinner to come. Substitute the smoked turkey for turkey leftovers and the recipe also makes a great after-Thanksgiving treat.
For a less traditional affair, Mini Fillo Shells give daring cooks a versatile base for a mix of indulgent tastes. Combinations of sumptuous ingredients make some of the most provocative – and talked about – appetizers. Avocado and crab are two examples. In the recipe for Avocado Crab Bites the main ingredients are set off by the distinctive tastes of cilantro, lime juice and shallots then set aflame – not literally in this case – by wasabi paste. Two miniature shrimp top off the dish and give it a bit of visual panache.
More casual gatherings often skip an elaborate meal, but focus rather on smaller plates. Appetizers are perfect for such events, but so are desserts. The sweet and texture-intense mix of chocolate and chopped almonds, pecans and pistachios makes Nutcracker Sweet Tarts a holiday favorite. A sprinkling of ginger and a final flourish of ice cream give the delectable dessert an appeal no one can resist.
Every event, whether it is a few friends in a cozy living room, a traditional family meal or a neighborhood block party, is measured in part by the food that is served. Fillo gives any gathering an edge of sophistication and Athens ready-made Mini Fillo Shells makes preparation a snap. For all the recipes mentioned here and many more, visit http://www.athens.com.