When holding a holiday party, one of the most stressful parts of the preparation is often the food. This is especially true if you are trying to come up with a menu that is both appealing and different from what everyone else is offered. The solution is to offer a variety of different cold canapés, giving your guests a variety to choose from. Canapés are also visually stunning, making them extremely appealing despite their tiny size. Here are our top picks for this holiday season;
- Chicken Curry Canapés
Everyone loves take-out curry, and these canapés put a fun twist on an old favourite. Often paired with delicious fruit of some kind, they provide the quintessential single bit full of flavour experience that you would expect from this kind of food. These also work well for parties where children will be present, ensuring that everyone will be happy.
- Vegetable Topped Crostinis
Most people love the crisp and tantalizing mouth feel that they get from a good crostini. Pairing this with a pureed or dried vegetable and the possibility of fresh cheese just makes sense. The combination of crisp and soft is heightened when using a savoury vegetable or dry toppings. These are often the first canapés gone at holiday parties. You could also spiralize your vegetables for a fancy look.
- Mozzarella Tarts
A classic tart shape, filled with mozzarella, fresh herbs, and topped off with a tomato. This is a great palette cleansing option that appeals to more sophisticated guests. The flaky crust and barely cooked tomato serve to make the creamy cheese and herb combination all the more delicious. They are also one of the most impressive looking canapés, sure to please even the pickiest of guests.
- Salmon Canapés
The classic choice, salmon is one of the most versatile fish in the entire world. Whether is is being paired with cream cheese, sprinkled with lemon, or cured and served by itself, salmon is usually something that most of your guests can agree on. The small bite sized offerings that are served at parties are usually enough to entice the taste buds but not overload them with fishy taste as well, making it the perfect medium for serving up salmon.
- Prawn Canapés
Often served on top of sinfully sweet mousse, prawns are a classic party favourite. Bright and cheery, their natural shape and size lends themselves well to being used as a finger food. Prawns also pair well with a number of different flavours, allowing you to have several different varieties at one party.
- Tomato, Basil, and Mozzarella Canapés
These classic flavours compliment each other and are always fresh and welcoming. Ripe tomatoes seem to melt over creamy mozzarella, while the fresh flavour of basil bursts over the tongue. These are often served on bamboo skewers or on toothpicks, allowing the tomato to remain whole for the best possible eating experience. The secret to making these canapés great is using the best possible ingredients and preparing them no more than 5 hours before serving time.
