Avoid holiday party stress by serving guests creative cocktails and a spread of delicious dishes that require minimal prep.
Upgrade your cheese platter: It’s a party cliche for a good reason, because it’s so tasty and easy. And just because you merely unwrap it and throw it on the plate does not mean it’s a food prep cop out. If you dress it up with honeys, jams and some rosemary marcona almonds, your guests will swoon. (Tip: Trader Joe’s sells pre-rosemaried marcona almonds). Wonderful local honey options are here: sonomamag.com/7-sweet-spots-for-sonoma-honey
Sonoma-made Relish: LaLa’s Jam is a delicious embellishment to your cheese offerings. Bake your brie and top with some hot pepper jelly. Get your goat cheese log and top with some blueberry or Winter Strawberry jam. Oliver’s Market sells 4 oz. bottles so your guests can have some intoxicating freedom of choice. Oliver’s Market, 546 East Cotati Ave, Cotati, 707-795-9501, 560 Montecito Center, Santa Rosa, 707-537-7123, 461 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-284-3530, 9230 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-687-2050, oliversmarket.com
Soaked and Sumptuous: Just when you thought goat cheese was enough, CHEVOO soaked it in olive oil with garlic. Open the top and you’ve got instant flavor BAM to your cheese and charcuterie platter. Oliver’s Market, 546 East Cotati Ave, Cotati, 707-795-9501, 560 Montecito Center, Santa Rosa, 707-537-7123, 461 Stony Point Rd, Santa Rosa, 707-284-3530, 9230 Old Redwood Highway, Windsor, 707-687-2050,oliversmarket.com
Make-ahead Meats: Grill some locally sourced, handcrafted (!) sausage ahead of time and then keep it foil-wrapped in a warm oven. Bring it out to your platter in phases to have continuous warm food, but without all the fussy cooking. Have some epic mustard options. (Tip: Get excited about the next slide!). Journeyman Meat Co., 404 Center St., Healdsburg, 707-395-632, journeymanmeatco.com
Putting the "must" in mustard: While you’re in Healdsburg at the artisan butcher shop, head to Oakville Grocery to pick up some of their outstanding in-house made mustard. Offer a few flavors for easy-as-opening-a-bottle variety to your platter. Oakville Grocery, 124 W Matheson St, Healdsburg, 707-433-3200, oakvillegrocery.com
Let it Go Frozen: Serve something hot by heating up some tasty organic bites like these from Amy’s Kitchen. Amy’s swirls range from mushroom and cheese, jalapeno and cheese to vegan options. Choose one or two items, and heat up just a couple of batches so you won’t be spending all evening in the kitchen. And no one can pre-made-appetizers shame you. See stores here: amys.com/where-to-buy
Call for Help!: There’s no shame in crying uncle, and many caterers are there to answer the call, even if it’s just for a platter or two. If catering a whole party is not in the budget, having one or two hot or special or difficult-to-make platters at the ready can really enhance the spread. And the payoff is huge in the time game. Petaluma Market offers a variety of platters, from bruschetta to prawns to giant salads. (Tip: Petaluma Market asks for 48 hours notice on all catering orders.) Petaluma Market, 210 Western Ave., Petaluma, 707-762-5464, petalumamarket.com
Minimize your offerings: Having a signature drink really simplifies the shopping list and the mixology. Let the local watering hole pour everything fabulous under the sun. Meanwhile, you can stick to one really good drink at your gathering. In this case, splash some pomegranate balsamic into a sparkling wine. Don’t forget the fresh fruit garnish. (Note: It’s a good idea to supplement the signature drink with wine, beer and water, but you knew that!). The Olive Press, 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-939-8900, theolivepress.com
Salad-to-Signature Drink: Flavored balsamic vinegars can provide some serious taste inspo for your cocktail or mocktail. Olive Press has this pomegranate flavor, but there are so many varieties of balsamic goodness out there like fig, raspberry, blackberry and more. The Olive Press, 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-939-8900, theolivepress.com B.R. Cohn Winery and Olive Oil Company, 15000 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen, 800-330-4064, brcohn.com
Don’t fear the dips: Yes, it’s another party cliche, but it works! Tapenades are tasty, come in many varieties, and are usually a good vegan option. Bruschetta, too. With the addition of pita chips and sourdough bread? So easy. Tasty in-house made options of these are available at Oakville Grocery, Sonoma Cheese Factory, and the Olive Press. Oakville Grocery, 124 W Matheson St, Healdsburg, 707-433-3200, oakvillegrocery.com. The Olive Press at Jacuzzi Family Vineyards, 24724 Arnold Drive, Sonoma, 707-939-8900, theolivepress.com. Sonoma Cheese Factory, 2 Spain St., Sonoma, 800-535-2855, sonomacheesefactory.com.
Easy Peasy Mandarin Squeezy Decor: In the theme of easy and gorgeous, here’s a decorating idea. Rather than running to the store to buy holiday kitsch, put your fruit bowl contents to good use. If you want to get super Sonoma about it, use in season decor, I mean food like persimmons, pomegranates and peppers. Add some branches and pine cones. Forage your neighborhood like never before! And visit your favorite farm stand. The clock is ticking! (Tip: check for operating hours on local farm stands as they may change with the season.) Tierra Vegetables, 651 Airport Blvd, Santa Rosa, 707-544-6141, tierravegetables.com. Green String Farm, 3571 Old Adobe Rd, Petaluma, 707-778-7500, greenstringfarm.com
It’s the time of year when our inner holiday-party-hosts fight our outer stressed-out selves. If your chipper party host has won, and, in a moment of weakness, sent out the Evite, here are simple Sonoma foods for your gathering. Give your spread a scrumptious Sonoma touch without too much fuss. Click through the above gallery for details.
