Course Type: Appetizer
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Spinach Stuffed Mushrooms

We asked our Whole Story blog readers to submit their best holiday appetizer for less than 50 cents each piece. Here’s our favorite, from Susan K., who got her recipe printed in The Whole Deal value guide and received a $50 gift card.
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Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Perfect for snack time, roasting your own pumpkin seeds is simple, tasty and fun. We give you a few options for spicing up these crunchy goodies, or feel free to make your own spice combinations.
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Ham and Roasted Pear Crostini

Though these small bites are perfectly tasty made with an ordinary French baguette, choose a whole wheat or seeded one for a bit more flavor.
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Cranberry Cheddar Sausage Bites

Serve these savory sausage bites with a bowl of cranberry sauce for dipping, if you like. For a spicier version, omit the thyme and use red pepper flakes instead.
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Mini Potato-Carrot Pancakes with Festive Sour Cream

Make these easy bites ahead, if you like. Once cooled, layer them between sheets of parchment paper in an airtight container then re-crisp on a lightly oiled baking sheet in a 400°F oven just before serving. There are three choices for flavoring the sour cream—spicy, savory or sweet and sour. Choose your favorite or reduce the amounts to make all three and offer a variety.
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Blue Cheese and Pecan Stuffed Dates

To ease the party rush, make the filling for these dates a few days in advance, keeping in mind that the flavor will get stronger over time. For a vegetarian version omit the bacon and sauté the onions in olive oil instead.
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Orange and Fennel Salad

Colorful and crunchy, the sweetness of the oranges in this salad is a tasty contrast to the sharp clean flavor of fennel. Save any juice that accumulates when you slice the oranges and use it when making the dressing, if you like.
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Seafood Cucumber Stacks with Lemon Cream and Chives

These refreshing hors d’oeuvres are equally delicious made with salmon, trout, shrimp or crab, so pick a seafood that’s best for your budget. For vegetarians, a slice of baked tofu is a perfect substitute for the seafood.
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Brie with Cardamom-Scented Clementine Chutney

Serve these savory small bites with roasted turkey or spiral sliced ham instead of Brie, if you like. If Clementines are unavailable, substitute with sweet tangerines or canned mandarin oranges, drained thoroughly.
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Pita Chips with Sweet Potato Mash and Smoked Almonds

Smoky almonds and pimenton (Spanish smoked paprika)are a particularly good match for sweet potatoes.



