The Perfect Christmas Party Appetizer: Savory Smothered Pretzel Sticks

One of my favorite things about the Christmas Season is the parties! Getting together with family and friends to renew and appreciate relationships and enjoy good food!! I love good food! Since I was a child desserts have been, and still are my favorite part of the meal. But appetizers are a close second! I love delectable snackers at a party. So today I thought I'd share something I came up with recently. These were inspired by one of my favorite Holiday treats; caramel/chocolate dipped pretzel sticks! And I thought why not have a Savory counter part?!

What you will need:
8 oz Cream Cheese, softened
1 Cup Sour Cream
1/2 Cup finely chopped Broccoli
1/2 Cup finely chopped Cauliflower
1/2 Cup finely chopped Sweet Red Pepper
1 Clove finely chopped Garlic
1 Tablespoon finely chopped Cilantro leaves
Pretzel Sticks, the big ones
1 oz Ranch Dressing Packet, dry
Shredded Cheddar Cheese for star

Directions:
Chop the Broccoli, Cauliflower, Red Pepper, Garlic and Cilantro very finely. Then mix them all together and aside in a bowl. Now beat softened Cream Cheese in mixer until smooth. Then add Sour Cream and Ranch Packet. Beat until smooth and well mixed. Then spread the Ranch mixture onto the Pretzel Sticks leaving one end bare. Then roll the smeared sticks in the finely chopped vegetables. If they don't stick well just press them in gently. And refrigerate until served. I broke some of the Pretzel Sticks in half to use for the branches of the Christmas Tree arrangement. And the center of the Tree was an original length Pretzel Stick. For the Star (Tree Topper) I just placed a small amount of shredded Cheddar Cheese onto a piece of Parchment Paper on a Cookie Sheet and baked at about 425 degrees for 3-4 minutes until the cheese is browned and hardened. Then put a dollop of the Ranch Dressing Mixture on the top of the Tree and carefully stuck the Cheese Star into the dollop so it stood up.

I used the above vegetable ingredients because I wanted these to be Christmas color themed. For any occasion you could make these and include any of your favorite vegetables. For example I think carrots, olives, celery, green onions, green pepper, onions or any of your favorite vegetable variations would be good! Just chop them fine!!

Here are some pics of the Savory Smothered Pretzel Stick Appetizers:

Here are the veggies lookin' all finely chopped!

This Pretzel Baby is all smothered and ready for his dip into the veggie medley.

And here he is dipped and looking delicious!
 

Here is a melted Cheddar Star. Beware...they are strangely delectable!

Mmm! Pretty yummy looking Christmas Tree!!