Appetizer ideas for Christmas

[raweater]

I want to make a raw appetizer for Christmas to serve before the family has organic (edited: SAD food). I thought of making raw fettuccine alfredo in small portions (maybe prepare them in those tall "rings" chefs use to make a cylindrical shape) since it's a raw recipe that tastes surprisingly close to the SAD version and I think it will impress them. Do you think this is a good appetizer?

However I think that by itself it would be and look a bit boring, what else could I serve next to it to add color that would go well with fettuccine alfredo? Maybe some sliced cherry tomatoes and basil leaves around it? I think I'm starting to answer my own question but want to hear other ideas, though the fettuccine, tomatoes and basil do sound perfect (I thought thought of the tomato/basil idea now)!

Thanks

[DebB]

I always make a big veggie tray (so colorful with the red pepper and carrots, etc) and a batch of Snowdrop's Ranch Dip. I'm making it for our family's Christmas get together.

[Gianni]

My wife used to make little appetizers using ¼-inch cucumber rounds (before cutting, partially peel cucumber skin lengthwise in stripes). Add a dollop of hummus, then top with a small sliver of a pickled red bell pepper. They went over very well. Perhaps you could come up with a raw version of this.

[ReneeH]

I don't celebrate the holiday, but if I were making the Fettuccine Alfredo I'd make Alissa's Bacon wrapped Asparagus for sure!!!

[raweater]

Thanks for the replies, I'll probably make a veggie platter with ranch dip as well, I had done that last year.

What exactly is the bacon wrapped asparagus? Am I allowed to get the recipe or do I need to buy the book? I do have LOLF but don't remember bacon wrapped asparagus in it. What is the "bacon" made of?

Thanks

[Aleesha Sattva]

i would guess it's eggplant.

We are not permitted share recipes from Alissa's books. (Just as you wouldn't want people giving away the info from your book for free) Sorry... you need to buy the book.

[ReneeH]

Yes, it's made with Eggplant and is in RFFE. The book is VERY worth getting!!!!

[snoops]

the book is good. Not worth the $60 it cost me with the shipping to Canada(in 2008 or so). I say this because raweater is in Canada.

[ReneeH]

With all due respect Snoops, it's all about the use you get out of it. My book has paid for itself 200 times over because I've learned so much from it and I use it daily. That goes with everything, I think. Yea, it's not the only book that I use, but it's absolutely one of my favorites.

The only one who can say that buying the book is worth the price is someone who has actually invests in it and who tries the recipes and appreciated them. I think it's sad that some have never tried Alissa's recipes. I think they are missing out on some terrific food!

I didn't pay $60 for my copy, but I absolutely would have if I needed to. Really. :-)

[MysticTree]

I paid £35 for Alissa's first book, plus postage. Silly amount of money and I haven't made one recipe from it but it was still worth the price - to me. Maybe you could re-coop some of the cost and sell your copy to Raweater? My father always used to say that if you make even one recipe from a book then the book has paid for itself - he had probably 300 - 500 recipe books :)