Quick and Easy Canapés

Canapés don’t have to be elaborate to make an impression. In fact, some of the simplest combinations can yield the tastiest results. A canapé, by definition, is “a piece of bread, cracker or pastry which is topped with cheese, caviar or a similar savoury topping”.

A Few Helpful Tips:

• If using bread as a foundation, try using cookie cutters to create decorative shapes. The bread will cut cleaner if partially frozen.
• Don’t be limited to bread, crackers and pastry. Raw vegetables such as a cucumber slice or a piece of cheese can also make wonderful foundations.
• A touch of parsley as a garnish adds an elegant touch to any canapé. Other garnishes could include sliced olives, strips of red or green pepper, pimento, snipped chives, sliced cherry tomato, or a sprinkle of paprika.
• The crusts should be removed from most breads.

A Few Simple Ideas

Add one of the following ingredients to softened cream cheese and spread on the foundation of your choice. Garnish as desired.

• Chopped chives or green onion
• Parsley
• Seafood cocktail sauce and chopped shrimp
• Chopped bacon and tomato
• Chopped salami, pepperoni or other meat.

A Few Simple Combinations

• Spread butter on bread and add thin slices of cheese and cucumber.
• Spread mayonnaise on bread and add a shrimp or a slice of olive.
• Spread butter on bread and top with a slice of meat and a slice of olive.
• Spread mayonnaise on bread and top with a cooked asparagus tip.
• Combine softened butter with chives and lemon juice, dry mustard or curry powder. Spread on bread or a cracker and add your choice of meat and cheese. Garnish.
• Spread mayonnaise on bread or a mini croissant half. Add a slice of each: sliced meat, processed cheese and cucumber.
• Spread cream cheese on bread or a cracker. Add sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil sprigs (or combine dried basil with cream cheese).
• Top your choice of foundation with cream cheese and smoked salmon. Garnish with fresh dill (or combine dried dill weed with cream cheese).

Photo by Vidal Balielo Jr.