2020 Return of the Reindeer Bar

The popular Reindeer Bar made its first appearance on Ever Ready in 2014 offering food and drink ideas for the holiday season.

Time to step right up for 2020 Reindeer Bar Return. This week enjoy some savory treats and sweets with a holiday drink. Create a tablescape using resources from the thrift store, Dollar Store and Dollar Tree. Consider repurposing seldom used Christmas decorations. 

Santa Clausmopolitan Special
Be sure to order at the Reindeer Bar, a Santa Clausmopolitan. It's a festive holiday drink specially made with Pomegranate-Cranberry juice, vodka, a touch of citrus, crushed ice and a few frozen cranberries. Sip and enjoy your drink with an appetizer plate. Recipe makes 4 drinks.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Pomegranate-Cranberry juice or Cran-Raspberry juice
• 1 cup vodka
• 1/4 cup orange liqueur
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• Crushed ice
• Frozen cranberries

Directions:

• In a pitcher or large cocktail shaker add juice, vodka, orange liqueur and lime juice. Shake. add crushed ice and mix again.
• Pour into chilled martini glasses and add a few frozen cranberries to each glass.

Maple Dijon Sausage Bites
The combinations of sweet and savory with unusual pairing of ingredients bring flavors together in one simple bite. These mini bites taste great as a breakfast item or as an appetizer. Taste test before increasing Dijon mustard. Shells can be filled ahead, refrigerated and baked later in day. Recipe makes 15 shells.

Ingredients:

• 1 package mini fillo appetizer shells
• 1 lb. Italian sausage or breakfast sausage
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 3 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1-1/2 -2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1/3-1/2 cup green onions, diced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1-1/2 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese or shredded 4 cheeses

Directions:

• Brown sausage in olive oil with green onions. Drain grease, crumble meat and return back to pan. Add syrup, mustard, and seasoning to meat. Mix well, cook on medium low about 8 minutes. Add in cheese and stir until it melts.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Fill each fillo shell (no need to thaw) with 1 tablespoon of filling. Place each fillo shell in a small appetizer muffin tin for stability during baking.
• Bake 8-10 minutes.

Cheddar Veggie Appetizer Torte

Cherry Bourbon Meatballs