Without fail, my husband and I invite 10 guests for holiday dinner.

Without fail, only 5 R.S.V.P..

Without fail, 16 end up at our table.

With 11 more chairs to cram around the table, not to mention 11 more mouths ready to cram holiday goodness into their bellies, my husband and I count on Safeway to pull us through. Their Exclusive 2-Hour Turkey recipe, and other easy-to-make entrees, guarantees to save us time and money in the kitchen. Their delicious array appetizers takes the guess work out of even the most eleventh-hour (and additional 11-guest) holiday feast.

Safeway’s recipes are a lot like Uncle Frank’s holiday tie collection: Fanciful, dazzling, and hard to choose just one. However, we finally narrowed down the selection to our top four easy-to-make crowd pleasers:

1. Endive Leaves with Gorgonzola and Walnuts: This is so simple to make, and yet always comes out so elegant with its delicious combo of pungent goat cheese and walnuts.

2. Skewered Tortelloni with Tomato-Basil Cream: This makes a lovely presentation and is fun for the kids to prepare in advance. Who won’t like Italian food on sticks!?

3. Deviled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese: This is a lovely twist on traditional deviled eggs. The smoked salmon gives it a lovely pink color that just might make my girl try fish!

4. Marinated Shrimp with Lemon Dill Sauce: This will be surefire hit with adults and kids alike. Who doesn’t like elegant finger food? I might even add fancy toothpicks just because.

Every December my husband and my motto is, “Expect the Unexpected.” With Safeway’s weekly specials and email savings, we can expect savings, too. Hopefully the only thing unexpected will be a new pair of earrings my husband has set under the tree for me. Or Christmas dish duty. I’ll gladly take either.

Brought to you by Safeway

Tags | appetizers, baking, best christmas recipes, christmas, desserts, easy appetizers, holidays, recipes, safeway, shrimp