If you're short on time but want to wow your guests, we've got five elegant but easy holiday appetizers that will be great for entertaining. Enjoy!

BLISTERED JALAPENO AND FIG MINI PHYLLO SHELLS
Servings: 15

Ingredients: 
I Jar of Bellisari's Blistered Jalapeno and Fig Spread
1 Package of mini phyllo shells (about 15 shells) 
16 oz package of mascarpone cheese

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place phyllo shells on a backing tray and brown to directions. Fill with 1 teaspoon of mascarpone cheese and then top with 1 teaspoon of Bellisari's Blistered Jalapeno & Fig Spread and serve.

BALSAMIC SHALLOT & BLACK GARLIC BRIE
Serves: 10

Ingredients: 
1 Jar Bellisari's Balsamic Shallot and Black Garlic Spread 
1 Large Wheel of Brie 
Crackers

Directions: 
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place the Brie on a sheet pan covered with parchment paper and pour jar of Bellisari's Balsamic Shallot & Black Garlic Spread over the brie. Bake for 5-7 minutes or until the cheese starts to ooze but not melt completely.  

ARANCINI BALLS WITH CALABRIAN
Servings: 6

Ingredients:
1/2 jar Calabrian and Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread 
2 tbsp minced fresh basil
1/4 cup crumbled bacon/pancetta (optional)
16-20 small fresh mozzarella balls (about 6 ounces)
2-3 cups cold risotto
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups traditional bread crumbs
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375º F. Add the first 4 ingredients in a bowl and stir to mix.

Take approximately 2 tablespoons of cold risotto in your palm and flatten slightly. Add one mozzarella ball to the center. Cover the cheese with the rice and roll into a ball form. Dip the ball into flour, shaking lightly to remove any clumps, then into the beaten eggs, and finally, roll the ball in the bread crumbs. Place the coated ball onto the baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining risotto until all of the risotto and/or cheese balls are used.

Brush the arancini with olive oil to coat. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with warmed Calabrian & Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread.

THE BEARD AND THE BAKER BLUE CHEESE, HONEY & SHALLOT DEVILED EGGS

This is a repost of a recipe from The Beard and The Baker, who created some lovely recipes with Bellisari’s products including this tasty take on deviled eggs.

Yields: 24

Ingredients:
1 dozen eggs
1 Tbsp white vinegar
1/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup Bellisari's Blue Cheese, Honey & Shallot Spread
Salt and pepper

Instructions:
Add eggs to pot filled with water, vinegar and pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, uncovered. Once water comes to a boil, turn heat off and cover pot with lid for 10 minutes.

Remove eggs from pot and run under cool water in a colander to cool a little quicker. Once they are cool, peel and discard shells.

Slice eggs in half lengthwise then place hardboiled yolk in bowl and set hardboiled egg white to the side.

Mash up egg yolk with mayo and Bellisari's Blue Cheese, Honey & Shallot Spread until desired consistency. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Spoon dollop of mixture into halved egg whites. Top with a sprinkle of black pepper and refrigerate until ready to eat.

CHICKEN BACON BITES
Serves: 12

Ingredients:
1 1/4 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut in 1" cubes
1 lb. bacon
1 jar Bellisari’s Barista Sauce
1 jar marinated artichoke hearts

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut bacon slices and artichokes into halves. Wrap each chicken cube and artichoke with bacon and secure with a wooden pick. Brush with Bellisari’s Barista Sauce. Coat pan with nonstick cooking spray. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until bacon is crisp. Serve with more sauce.

We are very excited to introduce our Bellisari’s box sets for the holidays. Enjoy a sampling of our spreads and sauces to share with the people you love most. Each gift box is handcrafted from reclaimed wood and hand painted. We have two varieties to choose from; our 6-pack box set with all of our products and our 4-pack box set that includes our four spreads. It is not only a great gift for family, it is a great corporate gift as well.

Here are some great uses for the beautiful, handcrafted gift box that comes with our Bellisari’s products and of course….free shipping!

Think twice before you give your teacher another apple (or an item with an apple motif.) Gift cards, thank you notes and handmade gifts are better. 

“I honestly don't think there is any such thing as a ‘bad’ gift, especially from an elementary school student,” Stephanie Giese, a former public school teacher who lives in York, Penn., wrote on the TODAY Facebook page. “But it is true that certain gifts, like mugs, candles and lotions do tend to outnumber all the rest at a rate of about ten to one.” 

TODAY scoured teacher and education blogs, and asked teachers to weigh in on their Facebook page. Here’s what they found: 

5 worst gifts for teachers:

1. Mugs and candles: Chances are your teacher has so many of these that she doesn’t know what to do with them. “I literally have hundreds of mugs,” Giese wrote in her blog. “And I already have enough [candles] to get me through the next 87 years.” 

2. Homemade food: Teachers know a lot of effort goes into these treats, but let’s just say they don’t exactly trust their students’ culinary skills or their attention to hygiene. “Homemade food… not so great. We end up throwing it away, as you are never really sure what is in it!” wrote Kasey Engel. “Any cakes, biscuits or other foodstuffs made by pupils go straight in the bin. Having seen how much nose-picking and nail-biting goes on in the classroom, I can never bring myself to eat them,” a teacher confessed on TheSchoolRun.com. 

3. Things shaped like apples or with apple motifs: Yes, it’s cute and it’s what many people think of when they consider the profession, but it’s likely your teacher already has a collection of such items, especially if he or she’s a veteran. 

4. ‘Intimate’ gifts: Lotions, perfumes, and bath products can be nice if you know the person very well, but that’s hardly the case when it comes to pupils or parents picking out gifts for teachers. Plus, the very scent you adore can make someone else gag or break out in hives. Skip the personal presents, especially anything that might make your educator blush. “Worst gift ever — see-through nightie from a fifth grader! Very memorable though!” wrote Paula Trimble Hutton, a teacher in Wilmington, Del. 

5. Cash: Gift cards are a favorite, but actual money in an envelope is awkward. “While I appreciated the thought, it made me feel like maybe I was being bribed to give the student a better grade and it put me in an awkward position,” Giese said. “Do I offend the parent by not accepting it, or do I risk being reprimanded by the school board for taking it?” 

5 best gifts for teachers:

1. Gift cards: Repeatedly, teachers said you can’t go wrong with a gift card, either to a store the educator can enjoy for personal reasons, like a coffee shop or a spa, or to a place where they stock up on supplies. “I think my best was a gift card to my hair salon,” wrote Carly Leen, a teacher in Howell, Mich.. “I wanted gift cards [because] that equals money I can spend in my classroom without getting four approvals and ordering and waiting forever or spending my own paycheck,” wrote Bonnie Sears, a teacher in Oxford, Ala. 

2. Handmade presents: Children shouldn’t be shy about crafting a gift for their favorite educator, anything from a special drawing to a personalized trinket for the Christmas tree. “I LOVE handmade gifts from my kids,” wrote Leen. “I still have ornaments from eight years ago that my students made for me.” “Perhaps the most valued and remembered gifts were homemade crafts made by students just for me,” added Margaret Lebak, a teacher in Bismarck, N.D. 

3. A class gift: Instead of coming up with a present, each child contributes a set amount of money, say $5, and the entire amount is spent on one gift or gift card that the teacher really wants. 

4. Store-bought food: While homemade treats can make teachers queasy (see above), gourmet offerings made by professionals are always a good idea. Think chocolates, cookies, popcorn mixes and fudge. Knowing what teachers go through, some parents provide a bottle of wine. That is why Bellisari’s Gourmet Sauces and Spreads are perfect for any teacher!

5. Handwritten thank you notes & letters: “The best gift is any gift seeing that the student decided to show their appreciation. I absolutely love the letters of ‘thanks for being the best teacher,’” wrote Valerie Aceves, a teacher in Fresno, Calif. “Over the years, I've been the recipient of many gifts: from expensive to thoughtful and everything in between. The gifts I still have? They're the cards and letters that students and parents have written me that detail the difference that all those late nights I spent planning, marking and preparing engaging lessons made,” wrote Jodie Commons. 

Source: TODAY Parents' Facebook Page

December seems to be jam-packed with holiday parties, school parties, performances and even last minute visitors dropping off gifts. Just because our time is limited doesn’t mean we have to eat fast food! Remember, at Bellisari’s we have created more than 60 “Gourmet Convenience” recipes for you and your family. Here are some easy weeknight recipes during a busy holiday season! 

ONION JAM CHICKEN
Servings: 6

Ingredients: 
1 jar Bellisari's Balsamic Shallot & Black Garlic Spread
1 (4- to 5-pound) whole chicken
1 tbsp olive oil 
Kosher salt 
Fresh ground black pepper 
1 medium lemon, thinly sliced (optional) 
Fresh herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, or thyme 

Directions:
Place the chicken on a work surface or cutting board and pat it dry with paper towels. Cut off and discard any extra fat hanging around the body cavity.

Drizzle the oil on the chicken and rub it all over the skin. Season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Place the lemon and herbs inside the cavity. Place the chicken breast-side up in a large frying pan or cast-iron skillet.

Spread Bellisari's Balsamic Shallot & Black Garlic Spread over chicken. Roast the chicken in the oven for 15 minutes. Reduce the temperature to 375°F and cook until a thermometer inserted into the inner thigh (but not touching the bone) registers 165°F, about 50 minutes to 1 hour more.

Remove the chicken from the oven and place on a cutting board. Let it rest about 15 to 20 minutes before carving.

BIG "SAL'S" MEATLOAF
Serves: 8

Ingredients: 
1 pound of ground beef 
1 pound of ground chuck 
2 eggs 
1/3 cup Italian bread crumbs 
1/3 cup chopped garlic  
1/3 cup dried parsley 
1/3 cup parmesan cheese 
2 tsp salt 
2 tsp pepper 
1 jar Bellisari's Barista Sauce

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°.  

Thoroughly mix all ingredients together using your hands and not a mixer. Once meat is mixed, form meat into one long loaf.

Generously spread Bellisari's Barista Sauce over the top of the meatloaf. Cook for 60 minutes or until the center reaches 160 degrees.

Let rest two minutes and slice and serve. 

CAPRESE PASTA
Servings: 4

Ingredients: 
1 pound farfalle pasta  
1 jar Bellisari's Calabrian & Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread
1/4 tsp dried crushed red pepper 
1 cup thinly sliced fresh basil leaves 
1/4 cup dry white wine 
1 cup diced smoked mozzarella 

Directions: 
Cook farfalle in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain farfalle.

Add Bellisari's Calabrian & Sweet Tomato Fennel Spread and crushed red pepper to skillet; sauté until tomatoes soften, about 2 minutes. Add 1/2 cup basil about and sauté for 2 minutes. Stir in wine; bring to simmer. Add farfalle to sauce and toss to coat. Mix in smoked mozzarella cheese and remaining 1/2 cup basil; cook until cheese softens and coats pasta, tossing often, about 2 minutes. Season farfalle to taste with salt and pepper.

While the election brought so much uncertainty to us and our families, it is perfect that Thanksgiving falls shortly thereafter. It is a time that we can sit and reflect and be thankful together as a family for what we do have and who we have to share it with.

Food is a powerful source--it not only brings us together, it also introduces us to new cultures and new experiences. Experiences that we can cherish for a lifetime. Food plays such an important role in many cultures and in many families. I find it so interesting how traditions and recipes differ from family to family and from country to country. From spice to sauces, just the slightest variation can change the meal dramatically. 

Using food to bring people together has always been natural for myself and my family. I get joy out of creating a dish that I love, and I also want to give it to someone that I care for. It is my gift to them. It doesn’t have to be a formal occasion--it can be as simple as passing a jar around a table and sharing it. My little sister a few years back introduced us to the cookie butter that she had found and had wanted us to try. My nieces, my sister and I passed that jar around as we sat around the table that night. We still talk about that night (and that cookie butter) to this day. It is those experiences, even somewhat simple ones, that stay with us. Remember this holiday season to open up a jar of Bellisari’s spreads, pass it around the table and make some new memories. I promise they will be ones to remember.