An Aperitif, Appetizer, Canapé Christmas

December 07, 2009

An Aperitif, Appetizer, Canapé Christmas

Did you know that an aperitif is a drink to stimulate the appetite and an appetizer is food that also stimulates your appetite before a meal? Me neither. I’m never hungry when dinner arrives.

Like me, most guests start at the crudité display (fancy for cut vegetables and dip laid out appealingly), move on to the passed hors d’oeuvres and then fill their plate(s) from the buffet that is overflowing with finger food. And you?

This year, forget the glazed ham with pineapple rings, the turkey with pork stuffing, the candied yams and Cajun string bean casserole. Disregard the Busycook’s suggested menu of Mexican peacocks, jambalaya and/or salmon fillets. Dinner is never appreciated after one is stuffed with appetizers and aperitifs!

And that is why I think cocktails and simple but heavy hors d’oeuvres make for a fantastic holiday party. Now, you could go with those fancy appetizers that cost a lot and go unidentified …amuse-bouche, olive tapenade crostini, mascarpone puffs with roasted vegetables, prawn/prune/roasted garlic fillo wraps, citrus infused jumbo lump crabcakes, onion brie en croutes Or you could stick to the old favorites. I’ve never met an artichoke or crab dip I didn’t like (love). Who doesn’t like pigs in a blanket? spanikopita? mushroom toast points? cheese puffs? bacon cheese tartlets? No one. And notice I’ve included vegetarians and vegans in my menu! (And also note that I just got back from the frozen food section at Costco.)

Truth is, many of us would rather eat the comfort foods mentioned above (and anything with burnt cheese and/or bacon plus a shrimp or five) than Camembert mousse on rice wafers. I know this because the party girl (me) watches as a slew of adults sneak over to the kids’ buffet at almost every event I do.

Invite me, the Party Girl, but hold the seafood curry in banana leaf, ok?

Have yourself a very happy holiday!