CHEERS TO A NEW YEAR: DAY 1

HOSTING A NEW YEARS PARTY? 

MAYBE ATTENDING ONE?

FOR THE NEXT 5 DAYS I WILL POST A GREAT

PARTY DRINK & APPETIZER THAT WILL PAIR WONDERFULLY TOGETHER

& COMPLETE ANY NEW YEAR PARTY!

Mulled Merlot

9 Servings

Prep: 10 min. Cook: 1 hour

10 60 70

Directions

• Place cinnamon sticks and cloves on a double thickness of cheesecloth; bring up corners of cloth and tie with string to form a bag.
• In a 3-qt. slow cooker, combine the wine, sugar, orange juice, brandy and orange slices. Add spice bag. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour or until heated through. Discard spice bag and orange slices. Serve warm. Yield: 9 servings.

Layered Blue Cheese Spread

Ingredients

• 4 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
• 4 whole cloves
• 2 bottles (750 milliliters each) merlot
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup brandy
• 1 medium orange, thinly sliced

32 Servings

Prep/Total Time: 25 min.

25 25

Directions

• On a serving plate, spread two packages of cream cheese into an 8-in. circle. In a small bowl, combine the blue cheese, 1/4 cup sour cream, parsley, cilantro, chives and pepper until blended. Spread over cream cheese layer to within 1/2 in. of the edges.
• In a small bowl, beat remaining cream cheese and sour cream until smooth. Spread over blue cheese layer to within 1 in. of the edges. Sprinkle with walnuts just before serving. Serve with breads or crackers. Yield: 4 cups.

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Ingredients

• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened, divided
• 1 cup (4 ounces) crumbled blue cheese
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sour cream, divided
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon minced chives
• 1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• Assorted breads or crackers