Mini smoked sausages, jellied cranberries, and rosemary simmer in a homemade chili sauce. This is a classic holiday appetizer everyone loves.
Ready. Get set. Here come the holidays!
Now, can we all just get real with one another? While those Pinterest-perfect food and table setting pics look great, don’t we want some simple solutions for entertaining? I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather spend time with family and friends versus logging hours in my kitchen.
So, as we embark on a busy November (and December), let’s embrace the shortcuts, the tasty yet simple recipes, and settle into the idea that we don’t have to do this by ourselves! In this simplified holiday spirit, we’re going to explore some easy entertaining tips from the experts and revisit a classic appetizer with a newer twist.
Some form of Lit’l Smokies — those mini smoked sausages in some form of sweet tomato sauce — has been on holiday buffets for generations. My mom often made Lit’l Smokies in barbecue sauce for our New Year’s Eve home party. The vintage recipe used grape jelly and bottled chili sauce. You’ll find thousands of recipes online for this popular appetizer; let me save you some time. All you need is a can of jellied cranberry sauce, a small can of tomato sauce, a little brown sugar, fresh rosemary, and a few other items from your pantry. These little sausages cook on your stove top in under an hour and freeze well. Let’s get cooking because company’s coming!
To make Cocktail Franks in Cranberry and Chili Sauce, which yields about 8 servings, you’ll need these ingredients:
1 (14-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
1 (4-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 (14-ounce) package Lit’l Smokies smoked cocktail links
1 fresh rosemary sprigs
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire
Follow these directions to make Cocktail Franks in Cranberry and Chili Sauce
Place a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the tomato sauce, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and red pepper flakes to pan.
Open cranberry sauce, slice, and cube. Add to saucepan. Cover and stir frequently until sauce starts to come together.
Add Lit’l Smokies and stir. Drop in rosemary and turn heat to medium. Cook for 30 minutes until cranberries have melted into the sauce and links are heated through. Stir ocasionally to prevent sauce from burning.
Party tips for easy entertaining
The goal of any holiday party should be connecting with friends and family, not outshining Martha Stewart. I love an appetizer party. It’s simple and frees up your time to enjoy your guests.
Make a pretty cheeseboard—with either a cheeseball or just two cheeses—with fresh or dried fruit, and crusty bread. Have one or two additional appetizers and you’re good to go! It’s good to have at least one hot app (the cocktail franks, for example) and cold selection.
Kim Cook often writes about entertaining for the Associated Press. She reminds us to keep the party’s setting simple. A counter or coffee table can fit the bill as a place to organize your food and beverages. Full sets of china aren't necessary; mix-and-match plates and glasses can be quite stylish. Some fresh supermarket flowers and well-placed candles, as well as holiday music, rounds out the ambiance. For more tips, visit Kim’s blog.
And what’s a holiday gathering without drinks? Have a selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for your guests. While the newest holiday cocktail lends a perfect Instagram moment, a batch cocktail will save a lot of time.
Try this tasty Cranberry Rosé Spritzer! You’ll need:
1 bottle (750 ml) chilled rosé
1 cup unsweetened cranberry juice
1 cup ginger ale
1 cup ginger simple syrup (here’s a recipe from Spruce Eats)
Serve over ice cubes and garnish with fresh rosemary and cranberry. This spritzer pairs beautifully with the Cocktail Wieners in Cranberry and Chili Sauce!
About the blog
Three Women in the Kitchen is an award-winning food blog offering today’s home cooks comforting, hearty recipes with a personal touch. The website also pays tribute to Deborah’s mother, Katie Reinhardt, and paternal grandmother, Dorothy Reinhardt (the “three women” in the kitchen). Whether you’re an experienced or a novice cook, you’ll find inspiration here to feed your families and warm your heart. Subscribe today so you won’t miss a single delicious detail.