A cherry tomato with a dollop of goat cheese (or some other soft cheese), then a basil leaf wrapped around it all and held in place with a toothpick. These are always a hit and they look pretty.
In addition to the contests mentioned, which are well worth checking out, I--and I bet many other food52ers--have a recipe collection named appetizers. If there are members you trust, you might want to hunt around in their recipe collections. Amongst the ones I have saved are a baked feta and baked ricotta (both of which you can serve on crackers if you want finger foods), party popcorn by Merrill (she also has a party snack mix recipe that would be cheap and easy), and a carrot crostini.
Here are some ideas for sandwiches that can be cut into minis
http://saveur.com/gallery2/easy-sandwiches
My take on the whole baked brie is to role out a shhet of puffed pastry so that it will wrap completely around the brie...drizzle honey on top and spread with a brush..sprinkle sliced almonds (they will stick...then more honey...then bake until pastry and almonds are brown...serve with french bread, sliced comice pears, and sliced honeycrisp apples
If you're short on time a cheeseplatter, dried apricots and dates, fresh figs, berries, peaches....bowl of assorted olives with a good olive oil, orange zest, and micro planed fennel....shrimp with a curried mayonaise(big spoonful of curry powder, small spoon of dijon in cup of mayo) and/or orange marmalade/hot mustard mixed as dips
Melanie, i think the fig and blue cheese savories should work with cherry preserves. I made them with chèvre and jalapeño chutney once and they were a big hit.
Hi Melanie! The cooks at my restaurant are rockstars and always creating new things. Randall made fried oysters then tossed them in this simple sauce (hoisin, lime, garlic, and sriracha). You could also toss chopped chicken/seafood in this sauce then fill eggroll wrappers and bake to make actual finger food (another inspiration from my kitchen rockstars). This is their taco w a shell made of bacon (I know u said no pork--just wanted to show u!)
I like to call these 'Impromptu Crostini' because you can probably make them with what you already have in your fridge - but you'll look like you've slaved. :) http://pinchandswirl.com/2012/12/impromptu-crostini/
Melanie, the good thing too re the Brie is that even if it is no longer warm as the day
progresses, it is still delicious on water crackers or bread. Another idea is to buy the Goya already prepares but frozen fried sweet plantains. Defrost in microwave and separate them out. You may need to microwave further till they are warmer. Place on a greased baking sheet. Top each with a small slice of mozzarella and maybe a small piece of roasted red bell pepper (the ones in glad container @ supermarket, usually near the mustard etc),
then insert a toothpick. Bake till Cheese melts, maybe at 350 degrees.
Buy a round Brie cheese (Costco), remove or scrape top white skin (does not need to be perfect) and top with slivered almonds (if no nut allergies or skip) then a generous drizzle of honey (or even any jam of your choice). Place in a plate that can go from oven to table and in an oven maybe preheated at 375 degrees. Leave in oven for maybe 15 or 20 minutes or until some of the cheese is melted. Serve with water crackers or French bread slices. Do not let it met too much. U want shape of Brie to be retained.
These Fig and Blue Cheese Savouries are wonderful for any gathering, regardless of the theme, and so easy to make. http://food52.com/recipes/8010-fig-and-blue-cheese-savouries
You can easily make and roll the dough a day or two ahead. They come together quickly when you're ready for baking, and people just love them. ;o)
I just worked a big group dinner party with a friend of mine who is from Valencia in Spain. This was one of my contributions http://food52.com/recipes/23258-pa-amb-tomaquet-skid-marks-on-my-shirt He also prepared delicious canapes with goat cheese and onion confit. His masterpiece was the Spanish tortilla which doesn't require much more than potatoes, eggs, olive oil and seasoning. None of these are budget busters.
From Bon Appetite, cant remember how many times I've made these but it's a favorite of mine - Pancetta crisps topped with goat cheese and a sliver of pear/fig/apple, cracked pepper & thyme : http://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/pancetta-crisps-with-goat-cheese-and-pear
Take the drum part of the chicken wing and with a knife cut around the bottom part and push up the meat before. Upscale presentation for chicken wings.
Smoked salmon (or any smoked fish) canapes: take cucumber slice, top with a little dollop of creme fraiche or mascarpone or sour cream or whole milk Greek-style yogurt, then top that with a little bit of smoked fish or salmon caviar (or paddlefish). Garnish with minced chives or dill.
If you type in "football" in the search box and drop down to "columns" many finger foods/appetizers/hors deourves come up, like this past column: http://food52.com/blog/2645-7-sophisticated-football-watching-snacks
25 Comments
http://saveur.com/gallery2/easy-sandwiches
My take on the whole baked brie is to role out a shhet of puffed pastry so that it will wrap completely around the brie...drizzle honey on top and spread with a brush..sprinkle sliced almonds (they will stick...then more honey...then bake until pastry and almonds are brown...serve with french bread, sliced comice pears, and sliced honeycrisp apples
If you're short on time a cheeseplatter, dried apricots and dates, fresh figs, berries, peaches....bowl of assorted olives with a good olive oil, orange zest, and micro planed fennel....shrimp with a curried mayonaise(big spoonful of curry powder, small spoon of dijon in cup of mayo) and/or orange marmalade/hot mustard mixed as dips
progresses, it is still delicious on water crackers or bread. Another idea is to buy the Goya already prepares but frozen fried sweet plantains. Defrost in microwave and separate them out. You may need to microwave further till they are warmer. Place on a greased baking sheet. Top each with a small slice of mozzarella and maybe a small piece of roasted red bell pepper (the ones in glad container @ supermarket, usually near the mustard etc),
then insert a toothpick. Bake till Cheese melts, maybe at 350 degrees.
Voted the Best Reply!
You can easily make and roll the dough a day or two ahead. They come together quickly when you're ready for baking, and people just love them. ;o)
Inexpensive, can be made ahead of time and frozen (just reheat in oven before serving), and fancy-pants sounding.