Canapés for Christmas

..and beyond!

Who doesn’t love a good cocktail party with mouthwatering canapés? No guest, for sure. But if you are the host, it can become a rather overwhelming concept requiring a lot of work and a lot of help serving. Serving “nibbles” aka canapés instead of a starter, on the other hand, is a wine-win for both guests and host – as long as you don’t mind a bit of prep before the event.

Whatever you offer to drink, have one yourself and join your guests while they tuck into a selection of savoury bites. It tends to be the best way to start a party – a relaxed mingling, where nobody is in a rush, and dinner comes whenever.

Make the main course something that is served from big sharing platters and finish with a good cheese platter, some fresh figs and dried dates and have some chocolate waiting in the wings and you are done. Do we really need Trifle or Chocolate mousse in the run-up to Christmas. No we don’t.  Chocolates can be disarmingly simple. Angela Hartnett has revealed that she puts a family size box of Maltesers on the table, rather than making dessert, when she entertains at home. Who doesn’t like Maltesers?

We make:

Baked Parmesan shards with plum preserve

Mini Cheddar scones 

Sage and anchovy fritti

Posh crisps with salmon roe & crème fraiche – the more premium the ingredients, the more blasé the presentation!

Rye with smoked salmon & dill mousse

Seared sirloin, basil cream

We finish the class with a festive cocktail – with or without alcohol, while we enjoy what we have made and pack up the rest to bring home.