You could make coffee cured salmon. This recipe gives the description of the technique, just replace tea with coaresely ground coffee. http://food52.com/recipes/20802-earl-grey-cured-salmon-with-vanilla-mayonnaise
I am a big fan of individual spoon servings for appetizers. If you don't have a Crate and Barrel nearby, go to your local Chinese store and buy small soup spoons. They are inexpensive and have flat bottoms. Although it sounds like a dessert, make a creme brûlée with heavy espresso. Pour into the spoons and set in the fridge. Garnish with a chocolate covered coffee bean. Or, go with a dollop of goats cheese in the spoons and garnish with ground chocolate covered coffee beans, Or go with the above pulled pork idea using dark roast espresso so the pork does not over flavor the coffee taste.
Have not made the baked brie with Kahlua in 20 years, always a hit. Didn't know there was a coffee contest, brand new to the site. Love the idea of the bacon jam, could do with crostini and soft cheese. thanks.
A recipe that usually is a big hit is Baked Brie with a Kahlua, pecan, and brown sugar glaze. 3/4 cup chopped pecans, 1/4 cup Kahlua, 3 T brown sugar, and 14 oz brie. I toast the pecans. ( you can use any nut you wish) Heat the Kahlua with the brown sugar and reduce a little. Add nuts.
I bake my brie first @ 350 for 15 minutes. Pour sauce over top and serve with whatever.. Also works well wrapping in Puff Pastry
Have you browsed through the coffee contest entries? What about wanderash's Bacon Jam (flavored with coffee) and served with toasted baguette and apple slices? http://food52.com/recipes/11241-bacon-jam
Here are the coffee contest submissions: http://food52.com/contests/235-your-best-recipe-with-coffee
How about Martha Stewart's recipe for Black Bread -- including coffee? http://www.marthastewart.com/313677/black-bread This could pair well with a variety of soft cheeses.
Have plenty of meat ideas, looking for something else. Just found where Jamie Oliver suggests serving manchego cheese with drizzle of honey and sprinkle of grounded coffee. wondering if I could also make a coffee cracker (use in lieu of spice) and spread with goat cheese, drizzle with honey.
Coffee cracker just doesn't do it for me. but i like the manchego idea very much. it also puts the coffee front and center- both taste-wise and visually.
You could make a pulled pork ahead, flavoring it with coffee and other spices, and make mini sandwiches on baby potato rolls.
Honestly, my mind is stuck on meat (using coffee as a glaze/sauce starter) or desserts. You could try making a cocktail, if that fits into your definition of "appetizer".
14 Comments
Although it sounds like a dessert, make a creme brûlée with heavy espresso. Pour into the spoons and set in the fridge.
Garnish with a chocolate covered coffee bean.
Or, go with a dollop of goats cheese in the spoons and garnish with ground chocolate covered coffee beans,
Or go with the above pulled pork idea using dark roast espresso so the pork does not over flavor the coffee taste.
I bake my brie first @ 350 for 15 minutes. Pour sauce over top and serve with whatever.. Also works well wrapping in Puff Pastry
Here are the coffee contest submissions: http://food52.com/contests/235-your-best-recipe-with-coffee
Honestly, my mind is stuck on meat (using coffee as a glaze/sauce starter) or desserts. You could try making a cocktail, if that fits into your definition of "appetizer".
Good luck!