This recipe for Cranberry Brie Puffs with Candied Walnuts was created in partnership with Peapod. As always, all opinions and recipe are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support Shared Appetite!
It happens every year. Yet again, Christmas is here and I'm totally not ready. And it's kinda shocking, because I'm a certified 100% Type A planner.
It's our second year in a row hosting Christmas, and I love it. I really hope it's the start of a beautiful tradition, because nothing makes me happier than a home full of family celebrating together. Even if it brings on a little bit of stress this last week before Christmas. Every free moment is being spent picking up last minute gifts... wrapping... baking cookies... eating cookies. Eating more cookies.
There was a time in my life that entertaining for a crowd, whether it be family for a holiday or our friends for an epic party, meant me spending days in the kitchen prepping. This was followed by cooking throughout the entire event, me literally separated from the people we invited over in the first place.
I like to think I'm getting a little wiser in my old age. That, and I simply don't have the time to cook like that anymore because we have a toddler that literally does not stop moving. Ever.
Easy entertaining. That's the name of the game now. Delicious, crowd-pleasing food that is simple to pull off with minimal prep. It's a win-win. It gives me more time to keep Olivia from drawing on the walls with her newest obsession (crayons), and allows me the opportunity to spend time with all my extended family that are making the trip for Christmas.
I've already got the menu all set, and my appetizer game is strong. Like, beyond legit. I'll be whipping up a batch of these Havarti, Pear, and Walnut Puff Pastry Bites, some Filet Mignon Crostini with Romesco, Goat Cheese and Crispy Shallots, and Eggplant Caponatina Crostini.
And making their debut this year at our house... Cranberry Brie Puffs with Candied Walnuts!
Every single one of the appetizers on my Christmas menu can either be made ahead of time or takes very minimal prep and delivers huge in the flavor category.
And guess what? I've found yet another way to save a lot of time this year for my holiday entertaining. Peapod!
Going to the grocery store, especially this week, can take forever. The lines are long, the traffic on the roads are unbearable, and it's a surefire way to temporarily deplete my Christmas spirit this holiday season.
With Peapod, the grocery store literally comes to me. I can shop from the comfort of my own home and on my own time. There's no dragging Olivia to the food store (although I have to admit, she oddly enough loves going to the food store with daddy), and I can shop at 11pm at night right on my laptop. It's pretty amazing.
Because I'm shopping online on Peapod's amazing website, I can also avoid impulse purchases (darn you on-sale ice cream that always get me right by the checkout lines). I have my list, I get what I need, and I pick exactly when I want it delivered to the house. Boom.
Have you heard of Peapod? It's pretty huge here in New York. They are actually the longest operating and country's leading Internet grocer, and they service a ton of areas all over the east coast. Whether you live in the city or the 'burbs, are shopping for home or your business, Peapod has you covered. They have a huge selection of pretty much everything you would find in an actual grocery store.
If you're anything like me, you enjoy saving both time and money. Who doesn't, right? Peapod has your back with some really cool functions:
- With Express Shop, you can enter in your grocery list and they'll auto-display your product options.
- Auto fill your cart with items you buy most frequently thanks to Order Genius.
- Re-orders are super easy thanks to the Past Purchases... Peapod saves every order!
- With their Sort Feature, you can find products at the best price, to meet your dietary needs, and even see the most popular products.
- Peapod shows you the running total of your bill as you shop so you can stick to your budget!
- Check the My Specials list to see Peapod's weekly specials and sale items!
- Peapod will double manufacturers' coupons (up to $0.99)!
- You can enjoy unlimited deliveries with PeaPod's PodPass, which is available in 3, 6 and 12 month subscription options.
- Something I just found out... Peapod has an app! Now I can shop on my phone, too. Mind blown.
Are you struggling with your holiday menu this year? Or are you ever at a loss about what to cook up for dinner throughout the week? Uhm, yes... me too. Weeknight dinners are hard sometimes! Peapod can help with their super awesome lifestyle website featuring tons of recipes and tips: Fromthepod.com
It's basically the meal solution center, and will bring you a ton of recipe inspiration. Even better, you can use the "SHOP NOW” button on each recipe to place ingredients straight into you shopping cart! How cool is that?! #timesaver
Okay, back to these Cranberry Brie Puffs with Candied Walnuts. They seriously take 5 minutes of prep. Cut the puff pastry into squares. Press into muffin tins. Fill with brie and cranberry sauce. Sprinkle with thyme and drizzle with honey. Bake. Top with candied walnuts. Allow your guests to devour. And trust me, they will devour them.
It's one of those super impressive holiday appetizer recipes that are so incredibly easy, you'll question why you ever spent so many laborious hours in the past making more "difficult" appetizers for a crowd. These are quick, fast, and beyond satisfying. And that, my friends, is the definition of holiday easy entertaining.
Wishing you and your loved ones a very, very Merry Christmas.
Oh, and these Cranberry Brie Puffs with Candied Walnuts are also pretty perfect for that New Year's Eve cocktail party you are going to. Just saying 🙂
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Cranberry Brie Puffs with Candied Walnuts
Need More Holiday Appetizers?
Havarti, Pear, and Walnut Puff Pastry Bites
Filet Mignon Crostini with Romesco, Goat Cheese, and Crispy Shallot
Acorn Squash Crostini with Ricotta, Bacon, and Fried Sage
Winter Holiday Charcuterie Board
You've seen peppermint bark before. It's readily available from pretty much every store you walk into around this time of year. There's also a ton of recipes for it out there on the interwebs.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Oreo Bark
These S'mores Sandwich Cookies start with a modified chocolate chip cookie base. By replacing a lot of the usual all-purpose flour with freshly ground graham crackers, these cookies get a big ole' flavor boost in the s'mores category.
Listen. I'm no monster. Feel free to sample one off the cooling rack before getting your s'mores on. But limit yourself to one, okay. These S'mores Sandwich Cookies are worth it.
Anyone out there participate in a friendly cookie swap amongst your circle of friends or colleagues at work? Yea, well, we all know that deep down everyone wants to have the cookie. The one that makes everyone so jealous and insecure about their own holiday cookie creation.
S'mores Sandwich Cookies
We've all been there. You go to someone's house for a get together, and you're starving. The main course is nowhere near ready to be served, but thank goodness... they have appetizers set up. Ugh, it's just a lame pre-cut store bought cheese platter. Now you're not just starving, you're hangry. That's right, angry hungry.
Here's my breakdown of how I arrange a legit Winter Holiday Charcuterie Board:
Anyone else obsessed with Target? It should be illegal the amount of joy I get out of a trip to Target. Like pretty much everyone on planet Earth, I go there for one thing, and come out with a cart full of awesome.
There ya have it. One Winter Holiday Charcuterie Board of staggering proportions. Seriously, this thing is a work of art. And no, I can't take any credit. That's the beauty of a charcuterie board done right. It's ridiculously simple, but so earth-shatteringly (is that even a word?) perfect.
Winter Holiday Charcuterie Board
Okay friends. Thanksgiving is tomorrow. And you procrastinated. Don't freak out.
Sweet Potato, Grape, and Wild Rice Salad
I have a love/hate relationship with this time of year. Not only is it getting colder and darker, but it's just the beginning of temperatures dropping and sunlight fading way too soon. And let's not even mention the "s" word. Stay away frozen flakes that requires mass amounts of shoveling and major traffic delays everywhere. Huge dislike.
You want the secret to a perfectly cooked pork tenderloin every single time? A good quality instant read thermometer. That's it. I cook it to 145°F, and then after it rests for 5 minutes or so, that brings it up to a perfect 150°F, which gives it that light pink center that's super moist and tender.
You've seen 
Back to this Black Cherry Glazed Pork Tenderloin. What I love about it is that it's got the sweetness from the Hero Fruit Spread, but it's really well balanced with bright orange zest, acidic wine and vinegar, salty savory soy sauce, and some amazing herbal notes from fresh rosemary. Not gonna lie... I thought black cherry and rosemary was going to be weird. But it's SO amazing!
Black Cherry Glazed Pork Tenderloin
Thanksgiving Eve. I'm SO excited for you. Yes, yes... of course I'm thrilled for Thanksgiving and the beginning of Christmas season as well. But Thanksgiving Eve. It seriously holds an extra special place in my heart... and stomach.
Not gonna lie... there's a lot going on in this flatbread. MAJOR flavor party. And you know I love a good flavor party.
Don't have the time to make pizza dough? Yea, me either. I need something quick, easy, and fast. Ta da! 
Even more reason to love Flatout? They are giving back this holiday season by teaming up with the American Lamb Board to raise money to support Friendsgiving for No Kid Hungry. The only missing puzzle piece in the equation is YOU.
Butternut Squash and Lamb Flatbread with Cider Onions and Pickled Cranberries
These Loaded Pulled Pork Cheese Fries ---> Mind. Blown.
I wish I didn't forget about cheese fries for all this time. I feel like I now need to make up for lost time. Delicious, delicious cheese fry lost time.
You heard that correctly. A fried egg. That glorious golden runny yolk, all up in these Loaded Pulled Pork Cheese Fries.
Guys. These Loaded Pulled Pork Cheese Fries are absolutely hands-down a necessity for:
Loaded Pulled Pork Cheese Fries
My slow cooker. It's officially dusted off and ready for duty. During the warm summer months, our slow cooker gets a well needed rest while I fire up the grill with a drink in hand. But now that fall's chill is in the air... the one that requires me to start wearing a jacket again... it's time for that slow cooker to do it's thang and get legit tasty meals on our table.
You know by now that I love... LOVE... huge flavors. There's nothing worse than seeing food with your eyes, getting excited, and then being hugely underwhelmed on first bite. Dull, lame, boring... that's not my jam.
Even more exciting news about these Slow Cooker Spicy Asian Chicken Sliders? The prep time on the spicy asian chicken is literally non-existent.
Slow Cooker Spicy Asian Chicken Sliders
I love apple pie. But who has time to make a pie when you are busy chasing around your 15-month old baby girl that is obsessed with her 
It all starts with 
Caramel Apple Pie Tacos
If you know me, you know how much I love snacks. LOVE. Food is such a huge joyous part of my life, and to restrict it to just breakfast, lunch, and dinner would be so very sad. I thrive on those in-between snacking opportunities.
First off, how cool is the packaging on these 
These tortilla chips are 
When people ask me what my favorite cuisine is, I always tell them it's an impossible question. But, if I had to pick one, it would be Mexican/Southwest flavors. So honestly, I knew I would love those Jalapeno Jack chips. They are right in my wheelhouse.
One taste and I knew these 
You know when I want to snack the most? When I'm off chasing our 15-month-old around the park. She is obsessed with being outside. A shockingly weird amount. We will legit have to stand outside in the pouring rain with umbrellas just because she wants to be on the grass running around.
Here's the deal. You can still enjoy tailgating... well, home-gating to be exact, but scaled down to ideas that are perfect for weeknights.
Ladies and Gentlemen. Meet 
Honey BBQ Chicken Nachos
Guys. Weekends by us are absolutely crazy. Oh, you too? 
Yes, that's Asheley in the above photo. She's a great hand model. And yes, her t-shirt says #MomLife. It's her official weekend t-shirt.
You already know how much I absolutely love 
Southwest BBQ Chicken Taco Salad
I'm fully aware that I should be talking about apple this and pumpkin that. And yes, I know it's fall.
This Peach Bourbon Caramel Cake is actually slightly adapted from a recipe I photographed for 
Peach Bourbon Caramel Cake
This Stone Fruit Caprese Salad with Grilled Corn. I'm obsessed.
Sure, you could enjoy dinner without wine. By why would you want to? That's like ordering a burger at a restaurant and asking for it to come with a side salad instead of fries. Dumb.
DaVinci Pinot Grigio + Stone Fruit Caprese Salad with Grilled Corn = Yessssssssssssssssss
Follow along with DaVinci on 
What's a pizookie, you ask? It's what Chicago did to pizza. Deep dish, baby. And it's pretty darn magical. Not only is it ooey, gooey, and everything you want a cookie to be, it's way easier than having to drop individual cookie dough balls on baking trays in batches.
Yup, there is is. In all it's beautiful oatmeal pizookie glory. It's inspired and adapted from this awesome 
Caramel Apple Crisp Pizookies
We are officially in the back-to-school routine zone. It always takes a couple weeks to settle in to this more rigid schedule, especially with figuring out Olivia's babysitter schedule and who's dropping and picking her up when. And then by the time we get her home after work, it's a mad dash to get some quality play time in with our little girl, and then it's a whirlwind to get her fed, bathed, and put to bed.
Each of these little flavor bombs explode with big, bold tastes. There's a little bit of everything packed into each wrap. Savory, salty, sweet, crunchy, fresh, sour, zesty, and spicy. It's a party... for your mouth.
Let's break these Korean Turkey Lettuce Wraps down.
You all know that you'll be getting yo' turkey on this upcoming November. It's a Thanksgiving standard. But turkey is such a great option year round! It’s such a great lean protein and will make an amazing addition to your family's healthy lifestyle.
Follow Along With Butterball: 
One in five New Yorkers is food insecure. Despite their best efforts, putting food on the table for their family is a daily struggle. One we, including myself, frequently take for granted.
How much time do you spend on Facebook a day? On Instagram? Heck, I've checked both like 14 times since sitting down to write this post.
When it comes to feeding your entire family without breaking the bank, I'm always happy to look in the pantry for some pasta. It's inexpensive, delicious, and super easy to make! And when combined with lots of flavorful veggies, I know my family is getting a ton of nutrients that does a body good.
Follow Along with 
I was about to write that the first full week of school is officially in the books... but then I realized that this was only a 4-day work week. Eh, either way, it's the weekend!
Guys. This Vegan Thai Grilled Corn Soup is legit. It's got tons of awesome flavors going on... garlic, ginger, red curry paste, coconut milk... and lot's of corn. Grilled corn gets pureed in the soup, as well as sweet kernels of grilled corn hanging out for little pops of goodness. But that's not all. I simmer the corn cobs in the vegetable broth so even that amazing corn flavor infuses in there as well.
Vegan Thai Grilled Corn Soup
Anyone else obsessed with roasted corn? Holy crap it's amazing. I love when I pull up to a fair or farm, get out of my car, and instantly get blasted in my face with the glorious smells of roasted corn. I quickly turn into 
Sriracha Avocado Butter Roasted Corn
This is it. The last day of summer vacation freedom. I doubt any of you feel bad for me (except my fellow teachers), but in case you do... it's okay. I'm at peace. It's time. Let's do this.
This Vegan Curried Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Wrap isn't just pretty looks (hello beautiful). It'll also keep you fueled up and feeling full. The secret? It's full of protein-packed foods... baby spinach, cauliflower, avocado and hummus. I'll get to the flatbread in a second, but the wrap is packed with protein too!
So about these wraps. Have you tried 
recipe inspired by 
Vegan Curried Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Wrap
Can we get Asheley some recognition for being an amazing hand model in this photo? She literally just walked in the door from a full day at work and I was like... waittttttttt!!!! before you get changed into comfy clothes, hold these serving spoons!
The healthy part in this summer vegan salad recipe is an important one. As I get back into school mode, I'm looking to get back to some healthy habits. The irregular schedule of summer always makes me make some pretty bad choices (ice cream all day, every day), so I'm looking forward to getting back on track with some healthy eating.
Vegan Grilled Corn, Plum, and Avocado Grain Salad
Guys. No, just no. I only have ONE full week of vacation left. Ugh.
Even if you're still in vacation mode (let's hold onto these last days of vacation, fellow teachers!!!), these Spiral Cut Sausage Bánh Mì sandwiches are still a perfect summer dinner option. You're probably busy soaking in every minute of free time.
It's super quick thanks to 
Let's talk spiral cut sausage. It's super simple and SO much fun. All you have to do is thread a sausage on a skewer. Metal or wood will work (side note: I cut these Butterball sausages in half because they are each so big).
Look at that goodness right there. With increased surface area, you can cook your sausages even faster and more importantly, it gives you more crunchy caramelized bits. Also known as... MORE FLAVOR.
We're talking fresh cucumber slices. Pickled carrots (YASSSSSSSS). Cilantro. And a good slathering of sriracha mayo.
Follow Along with Butterball for special savings and recipes:
So a few things.
I honestly had no idea about how well corn and blueberries go together until I had them in a pasta dish at 
Have I convinced you yet to make some pizza tomorrow? I mean, who doesn't love pizza. And it's so versatile. There's a pizza for pretty much everything. Have some beautiful 
Summer Corn and Blueberry Grilled Pizza with Whipped Goat Cheese
Sigh. It's official. Summer vacation is more than half over. And I didn't even have to look at a calendar to realize this wretched fact. My television. It's plagued with... back to school shopping commercials.
Reasons to love this sandwich:
An easy swap out to make your BLT a bit lighter? Turkey bacon. It's something you can eat every day and still feel good about yourself. You know what I'm talking about.
Follow along with Butterball for special savings, recipe ideas, and more!
I'm pretty darn proud of myself. I have actually started to... run.
I've been told by people who exercise on a regular basis... you know, those people that are actually fit and have some sort of definition in their body shape... that it's important to have protein after you work out. Sadly, ice cream isn't a good source of protein. I checked.
These Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Quesadillas. They are PACKED with big, bold flavors.
To serve alongside these Southwest Chorizo Breakfast Quesadillas, I love a good, spicy salsa. Guacamole is also a necessity. Because, duh. Guac rocks our world.
Follow along with Flatout Bread: 
I refuse to admit summer is almost half over. Nope, I'll happily be over here living in denial thank-you-very-much. I walked into Target yesterday and saw a BACK TO SCHOOL section. Uhm, wtf Target. Let's take it easy over there, okay? Because I love waking up in the morning and literally having no clue what day it is. Let's not rush that, mmmmm kay?
Let's break this epic sandwich down.
Haven't heard of GoAvo Spread?
Follow along with GoAvo Spread: 
It's so hot here in NY right now, that I could actually call these Mini Berry Galettes with Lemon Whipped Cream a no-bake dessert. Seriously. Not even joking. I could literally just put these out on the pavement and they would cook up in no time.
Sure, you could go all crazy with making a homemade pie crust, but when it comes to summer entertaining, I'm all about the quick and easy. There's no need for heroes here, folks. Less time in the kitchen, more time with your family and friends.
And really, the true star of these Mini Berry Galettes with Lemon Whipped Cream is the fruit. We wait all year long here in NY for perfectly sweet berries. And... they are here. Heck to the yes.
The one thing I'll never ever skip on is making homemade whipped cream. That crap in a can is not the same. Not even freaking close. Plus, it takes literally 30 seconds to whip up. Accept no substitutions. Life is short. Eat real whipped cream.
You can find this super easy entertaining summer dessert recipe for Mini Berry Galettes with Lemon Whipped Cream 
True confession time. As a kid, I never ever understood (I still don't) why anyone would choose an oatmeal cookie over a chocolate chip cookie. I always got so freaking pissed when I sadly mistook an oatmeal cookie for a chocolate chip. They looked similar, but raisins are 
Please tell me you're a fan of 
These S'mores Oatmeal Blondies couldn't be easier to make. If you have 15 minutes, you can make these. It just takes one bowl. Dump a bunch of stuff in there, mix it up, and throw it into a baking pan. Boom. Instant creative s'mores happiness.
Follow along with Bob's Red Mill: 
Up until a few months ago, I thought semifreddo was some fancy "chef thing" that I would only have at upscale restaurants. It sounded, and more importantly tasted, so super refined and luxurious. For the semifreddo newbies out there, it's a cross between ice cream and mousse. So basically, you have a rich ice cream base with the light-fluffy-airy texture of mousse. It's seriously LEGIT.
Oh, did I mention that this semifreddo is stuffed with marshmallow fluff and dark chocolate chunks? And that the crust is one ridiculously addictive graham cracker crust with a sinful amount of graham cracker to butter ratio? If you want healthy, go eat a fruit salad.
Have you seen 
If you've never grilled pineapple, let me be the first to apologize to you. Because your life is incomplete. It's so freaking good. Once you start grilling yo' pineapple, you won't be able to stop. Cover it in some cinnamon sugar before grilling and you have an amazing quick dessert, or sprinkle with ancho chili powder and add to some 
So us Americans have it in our DNA at this point that turkey is where it's at for Thanksgiving and a bunch of other holidays, but you know what? It's freaking fantastic year round. There's a little bit of Turketarian in all of us. It's part of a healthy lifestyle and is a great lean protein to bring the family around the dinner table.
Follow along with Butterball for special savings, recipe ideas, and more!
The drink couldn't be simpler. And really, a lot of times the simplest things in life are best, aren't they?
Summer is all about easy, quick meals. I love me pizza, but thinking ahead to make dough isn't something on my mind when I'm spending the day chasing around my quick-walking toddler. She's so freaking fast. It's unreal.
Let's talk bread. Of course you can serve it up on whatever good quality bread you can find... straight up. But for a real legit crostini experience, you need to grill yo' bread. Find a nice crusty loaf, brush on some olive oil and sprinkle with Kosher salt, and grill to charred perfection. Mmm hmmmm.
Guys. Come summer time, I'm all about refreshing drinks. Sangria totally hits the spot.
I'm not really what you would call a "manly man".
Have you ever made candied bacon before? This spicy brown sugar bacon... it's pretty freaking addictive. Like, if bacon wasn't perfect enough, you go ahead and sprinkle it with brown sugar before cooking it. The bacon caramelizes in the oven, making sweet and salty magic.
Do you see that #eggporn? Do you?!?!
I have an extreme weakness around chocolate covered strawberries. Like, I honestly feel bad when someone puts out a tray of them at parties, because it's pretty much a guarantee that I'll inhale the majority of them before all the other guests even know dessert is being served.
You'd never guess that these little beauties were hiding one of life's most beautiful treasures deep within it's chocolate candy shell.
It's all thanks to 
Making these Chocolate Hazelnut Filled Chocolate Covered Strawberries is ridiculously simple. Just cut away a hole in the side of each strawberry, fill her up with chocolate hazelnut spread, and dip them in copious amounts of melted chocolate.
Follow Along with Peanut Butter & Co.: 
For 87% of my overall dessert consumption, I want either a rich and decadent chocolately dessert OR ice cream. But once in awhile, especially once the weather starts getting all hot and steamy, I'm in the mood for something lighter. Airy. And packed with fresh seasonal fruit.
Feel free to substitute in whatever berries look best at the market. They are all equally delicious.
You can find this recipe for Blackberry Fool over at 
Let's talk why these Gluten Free Salted Caramel Brownie Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches are beyond perfect for summer entertaining.
It's time to break down the whole gluten-free dessert thing.
The cookie dough will be pretty loose when rolling... kind of inbetween a cookie dough and brownie batter consistency. Totally normal.
When the cookies come out of the oven, you're going to want to let them cool for a bit on the baking trays so they can set. You're also going to want to hit them with some flaky sea salt right away. Wait too long and the salt won't stick to the cookies... and that would be pretty sad.
Do your best not to eat all of the cookies right away. It's perfectly acceptable to eat 1... maybe 2. I mean, you have to test them out and make sure they are good, right? It's standard baking practice to taste the product before offering it to guests.
recipe for cookies slightly adapted from 
I'm a HUGE fan of dip. Pretty much anything and everything that I can plunge a crispy chip into... I'm a fan. And dips that involve corn?! Hello gorgeous... come and sit down right next to my face.
If you've ever had Mexican Street Corn, you already know how epic it is. But let's be honest. It can be a bit messy, and you have to worry about the whole corn getting stuck in your teeth thing.
