A Hipster Holiday Party Menu (and Playlist)

It’s official. I’m a hipster. If the fact that I live in Kitsilano, wear red lipstick and dark nail polish, have antlers on my coffee table, live green, live on Instagram, bourbon is a fixture in my daily routine, and just got a sleeve tattoo didn’t solidify this, the (impulsive) action of downloading of the Christmas album from She & Him certainly has. Not to mention their other 20 albums.

It’s okay. No really. I’m embracing it.

I also embrace music. But come on who doesn’t? No friends of mine, that’s for sure.

And I figured for that very reason – along with the hipster bullhockey – let’s talk fabulous Christmas mix tapes! Ah, the good old mix tape. With food. Because there isn’t much else better than good food, good music and good company. I live for this stuff. So for poops and laughs and to launch us all into the holiday spirit, I thought we could put together a hipster holiday party menu and playlist that’s funkaliciously festive. You know, before the Christmas music is playing anywhere and everywhere and up your ass to the point that you wanna pull your hair out. With tweezers.

So if you come to my house this month, this is what we’ll be dining and jiving to. All 7 courses. Seriously. I hosted a long table, multi-course dinner once. It went swimmingly well, considering nobody could get up to pee. Or, snag a recipe here and use it at your holiday partay. Par-tay! 90% of what’s listed here is able to made ahead of time so you get to spend time drinking, err… Socializing with your guests! Either way – your house or mine – it’ll be a time. A good time. Kinda like me. You have my number right? Ow ow!

• The Aperitif(s)
• The Small Bites (3)
• The Appetizer
• The Soup
• The Main Course
• The Cheese Course
• The Dessert

The Aperitif: Cinnamon Apple Whiskey Sour
The Tunes:

This drink gets things festive, jingley and a whole lotta funky. Like, Marky Mark style. Kinda like this tune. Plus both are toats suited to warm everyone up and get everyone in the holiday spirit. Get it? “Spirit”? It’s a cocktail. Nevermind.

Small Bites #1: Sweet & Earthy Beet Crostini
The Tunes:

Small Bites #2: Ridiculously Luscious Arugula Pesto & Crackers
The Tunes:

Small Bites #3: Savory Oozy Mushroom Dip
The Tunes:

I’ve broken these small bites into 3 different “dips” with their 3 different tracks because in my world, more is more. And the best part about all 3? You know, other than the fact that they taste amazing? They’re veggie friendly and each and every one comes with its own little plate. The bread! Or cracker. Or vegetable. However you get the topping from point A to point mouth is up to you. Serve these before dinner, scattered on platters and plates around the house to get people mingling. Because let’s face it – where there’s food, there’s people.

The Appetizer: Prosciutto Arugula Rolls
The Tunes:

These are a smack in the face. In a good way. They’re also light and one pop in the mouth (or two) – perfect for energizing the palate for the comforting, rustic, warm foods to come.

The Soup: Insanely Tasty Leek & Potato Soup
The Tunes:

I might have your love to keep me warm, but you have soup. Soup for you!

The Main Course: Incredible Smokey Italian Bolognese with Egg Noodles
The Tunes:

The sauce is rustic and filling, loaded with flavor and oh so simple and the noodles lack wheat – leaving room in your belly for the last 2 courses. Plus pasta is generally a safe bet when it comes to picky eaters. Who doesn’t like pasta?! If this doesn’t scream cozy comfort food, I don’t know what does.

The Cheese: Classic Cheesecake (top with whatever you fancy… like boozy bourbon dulce de leche sauce or a few cinnamon apple “noodles”).
The Tunes:

I always love a good cheese course. The airy texture of the cheesecake paired with fun tunes = preparation for one more course. Plus it’s cheese. If pasta doesn’t please, cheese…uhh, will. That didn’t quite rhyme, did it?

The Dessert: Fall Fruit Crumble
The Tunes:

These songs begin to signify the end of the evening, as does the sweet course. But not too sweet – we’ve eaten a lot thus far. Fruit for dessert leaves palates feeling refreshed, if not full and satisfied. Top with seasonal spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves, served alongside a glass of port or late harvest Riesling and you’ve got a slam dunk. Seriously – while your dessert may “crumble”, with this star finnisher, your night won’t.

….I totally didn’t even plan that line. Am I clever or what?

What’s in your Christmas playlist? Do you still make mix-tapes? What’s your go-to party dish? What HAS to be served at your holiday parties? Did I miss anything here? Ever host a 7 course dinner? Have any big party plans this month? Spill it!

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