In my opinion, the key to entertaining as easy as possible is to plan ahead what you would like to serve and how you are going to prepare your dishes. If you plan on all your dishes being served hot, you will be overloaded with preparing right before your guest arrive. It is very hard to do by yourself in a home kitchen. When I am choosing my menu, I try to choose at least one dish that can be prepared the day before. I will choose some dishes that do not have to be cooked. Also, I try to serve a dish or two that can be prepared very quickly and easily.
The filling for this appetizer can be prepared ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to use. All you have to do is stuff the pecans before serving. Super easy.
My sister says that I have food OCD, because I like things that you can line up on a plate. Okay, I admit I am kind of a nut about symmetry, especially when plating food. I love the way this appetizer looks on the table!
I have not even said how good these are. Make plenty, they go fast. The cranberries and orange juice give this appetizer a wonderful flavor, and as we all know cream cheese and pecans pair well!
