LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Looking for the perfect thing to add to your holiday party menu? We've got exactly what you need.

America's CEO — Chief Entertaining Officer — Tim Laird visited WDRB Mornings on Thursday with some of his favorite holiday menu items.

All of the recipes are quick and easy to make and will add that perfect amount of holiday cheer to your menu spread.

Check them out below:

Merry Maple Manhattan

In a shaker with ice, add:

  • 2 ounces Jefferson’s bourbon or rye whiskey
  • ½ ounce dry vermouth
  • ½ ounce maple syrup
  • 3 dashes of bitters

Shake and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a maraschino cherry.

For an alcohol-free version substitute iced tea for the Jefferson’s and vermouth.

Pull-Apart Mozzarella Tree

Ingredients:

  • 7 mozzarella sticks
  • Flour, for dusting
  • 1 pound pizza dough, room temperature
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 4 tablespoons butter, melted
  • 1 ounce parmesan cheese, finely grated
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped
  • Crushed red pepper flakes
  • Warm marinara, for serving

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
  2. Cut each cheese stick into 5 pieces.
  3. On a lightly floured surface, divide the dough in half. Roll each half into an 18” x 4” rectangle. Cut into 2” squares to make 33 squares. Place a piece of mozzarella in each square and form into a tight ball. Repeat with the remaining cheese and dough.
  4. Arrange, seam side down and touching, on a parchment-lined baking sheet in the shape of a tree.
  5. In a small bowl, beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water. Brush over the dough balls.
  6. Bake tree until golden, 15 to 20 minutes.
  7. In a small bowl, whisk butter, parmesan cheese, and parsley. Brush on the tree. Sprinkle tree with red pepper flakes and additional parsley and parmesan cheese.

Serve with warm marinara sauce.

Sweet and Savory Meatballs

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cranberry sauce
  • ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
  • 2 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • ¼ cup water
  • 2 pounds frozen, pre-cooked meatballs (beef, turkey, or vegetarian)

Directions:

  1. In a large saucepan, combine cranberry sauce, vinegar, soy sauce, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and water.
  2. Cook on medium heat, stirring until smooth.
  3. Add meatballs and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until heated through, 12 to 15 minutes.

Brie Trees

Ingredients:

  • Brie cheese
  • Honey
  • Curly parsley, chopped
  • Pecans, chopped
  • Pomegranate arils
  • Small pretzel sticks

Directions:

  1. Cut brie into triangle shaped trees. Cut in half, through the center, to make two trees. Insert pretzel stick to form the tree “trunk”.
  2. Pour honey onto a small plate. 
  3. Combine the parsley, pecans, and pomegranate arils on a small plate.
  4. Dip the creamy side of the brie in the honey and then in the topping mixture.

Arrange on platter and enjoy.

More Tim Laird Recipes:

America's CEO Tim Laird shares winning recipes for your NCAA watch party

Holiday entertaining made easy with America's CEO Tim Laird's favorite holiday recipes

America's CEO Tim Laird shares his favorite Super Bowl recipes

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