HELP?! Hors d'Oeuvres Obstacle!
Please rescue me... I'm drawing a complete blank. I need two or three "plant-based" appetizers. Something that's somewhat nutritious and relatively low-cal to balance out a bunch of rich, fat-laden, protein-based snacks that are already on the menu.
Everything vegetable-like that pops into my head is too, too rich (spanokopita, mini quiches, etc.). Or else it's the totally boring stuff that nobody *really* wants to eat (crudités, fruit skewers, etc.).
I'm not feeding vegetarians, so that's not an issue. I'm just trying to balance that fatty salty protein overload factor.
It's a case of major menu-writer's block...
Suggestions?
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23 Comments:
Oh. And I should have mentioned that I do have hummus on the menu.
LoCo at 12:56PM on 12/12/08
When I serve hummus, I usually make it a part of a "Mediterranean trio" of dips - hummus, tahini sauce and aubergine dip. Here is a link to the thread where I've described a variety of aubergine dips/spreads/salads, any of them could be used (the "red" aubergines have been extremely well received at parties). I'll think of something else, too.
brooke29 at 1:02PM on 12/12/08
Oh, just thought about it - I love large antipasti platters that incorporate lots of grilled and marinated veg - asparagus, peppers, aubergines, artichokes, etc. It's not as boring as crudités, can (and should:-)) be combined with the"bad" stuff (aka cheeses and meats) and makes you feel less guilty.
brooke29 at 1:07PM on 12/12/08
Mushrooms with a spinach cheese stuffing?
Tomato/mozzarella/basil wrapped in an eggplant slice and grilled?
A dip served in an endive leaf?
Bruschetta with a marinated veggie mix on top?
If I missed anything in your post, it's because that damn McCormick ad popped up over the post and there is no way to get rid of it, other than navigating to another page. How annoying!
I'd go for the fruit skewers first! Not boring at all.
PerkyMac at 1:11PM on 12/12/08
I was at a party where someone brought what was described as a bean ceviche. Basically, cooked white beans (like navy beans) with onions, cilantro, tomato, jalepeno and lime juice. Maybe other seasonings, but that was the essence of it. It could be eaten as a side dish or scooped onto crackers or chips, just like a ceviche. But beans instead of fish.
dbcurrie at 1:44PM on 12/12/08
I HATE that stupid McCormick ad!
Kerosena at 1:49PM on 12/12/08
The sleeper hit at a wedding I went to at Blue Hill recently was little pastry cups (phyllo, maybe, or wontons?) filled with a microgreen salad with a nicely acidic dressing. It was the perfect bite-size salad, and the acid nicely balanced the heavier items. It was my absolute favorite item. The other veggie there probably wouldn't work for you - just tiny spears of marinated cauliflower. Delicious, but a little difficult to pull off without being Dan Barber.
Or, what about something that balances good and bad - cherry tomatoes on skewers with a bit of basil and a tiny cube of mozzarella? I really like the endive spear idea, if it'll play for your audience.
cyberroo at 1:50PM on 12/12/08
Stuffed cherry tomatoes (herbed cheese, salmon mousse, avacado mousse, shrimp salad, etc) are always nice...colorful, bite-size, a little acidic/fresh taste. And finding decent cherry tomatoes can be easier than other types this time of year.
Cary at 1:51PM on 12/12/08
This was a huge hit pre Thanksgiving dinner http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/2007/09/roasted-red-pepper-hummus.html roasted red pepper hummus. Served it with whole wheat crackers.
finsbigfan at 2:01PM on 12/12/08
empanadas stuffed w/ varieous things
potstickers
pinwheeel wraps cut up into bit size pieces various kinds
mini PB&J sandwiches.
pjracz10 at 2:27PM on 12/12/08
Someone was raving to me recently about a bruschetta topping made, I think, with basil and maple syrup. I can e-mail you the recipe if you're interested.
KarynMC at 2:34PM on 12/12/08
Martha has a huumus with a kalamata olive relish like salsa
OMG is this good. I served it with pita chips and it was gone.
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/white-bean-hummus-with-kalamata-relish?autonomy_kw=kalamata%20olive%20relish&rsc=header_2
JerzeeTomato at 3:09PM on 12/12/08
@brook29 - I do something similar except I make tzatziki instead of tahini sauce. I serve it with pita, olives, and a selection of grilled veggies: bell peppers (red, yellow, green), shrooms, asparagus, etc.
@dbcurrie - that dip sounds similar to Texas Caviar which typically has blackeyed peas as the legume and some chopped bell peppers, too. Good appetizer suggestion.
How about mini eggrolls?
Esmeralda at 3:19PM on 12/12/08
Try this portabella bruschetta--it's sooo yummy.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Portobello-Bruschetta-with-Rosemary-Aioli-104179
dhorst at 3:32PM on 12/12/08
@Esmeralda - thanks for the reminder! I sometimes make tzatziki too. I also, at times, make "flavoured" hummus (roasted red pepper or sun-dried tomatoes) or make various "toppings" for hummus (the most popular are caramelised onions with whole chickpeas or just olive oil, parsley and toasted pine nuts). And like you said, pita (or pita chips), olives and grilled veggies go perfectly with this stuff.
brooke29 at 3:43PM on 12/12/08
smoked salmon, coarsely chopped, mix in a little red onion, dill, capers, lemon juice. It's very appealing served on an endive leaf, with a tiny dollop of sour cream.
mizzlee at 5:15PM on 12/12/08
My go to appetizer: Portobello caps sliced into1 cm sticks (remove gills first), roll in seasoned flour, then beaten egg, then 1/2:1/2 mix of panko and shedded parmesan. Bake. Serve with spiced mayo dip. Most yummy!
Also roasted spiced almonds, mixed olives, pickled vegetables, crostini topped with balsamic marinated sliced figs and blue or goat's cheese broiled until melty, toothpick skewers with grape tomato, basil leaf, and mini bocconcini. Mini red-skinned boiled potatoes, inside scooped out, with sour cream and roasted red pepper filling - or any dip inside. Oven french fries with aioli. Vietnamese salad rolls in rice paper.
Hmmm.... I really need to host another appetizer party!
PeanutButter at 5:17PM on 12/12/08
Skin cherry tomatoes by dropping them in boiling water. Skewer them on a toothpick, 1 per toothpick and freeze. Serve them in a shallow dish of Vodka with a side of Kosher salt for dipping, Bloody mary of a stick.
Meat guy at 5:28PM on 12/12/08
@meat guy: that sounds freaking delish. can you serve that for breakfast i wonder? on new years day.... i certainly think so!!!!
pooch at 11:34PM on 12/12/08
I am so proud of you guys that you make these tasty veggie based things (oooh and the vodka hehe) I am sure Loco will have a great time recreating them. Way to go!
JerzeeTomato at 8:27AM on 12/13/08
@ meat guy~ brilliant idea. Think I will try this with Absolute Peppar.
dhorst at 10:11AM on 12/13/08
@dhorst--Speaking of Peppar Vodka, having a problem finding Stoli Peppar (ah, but that's another thread).
Anyway, years ago I tried an old James Beard recipe that consisted of finely minced onion sandwiched between white bread rounds (yes, white bread), spread the sides with mayonnaise and roll mayo sides in chopped parsley.
Sounds so simple but they disappeared in seconds and everyone remarked how refreshing they were.
bessfour at 10:20AM on 12/13/08
Wow. Lots of excellent ideas. It's amazing how many of these are things that I actually make on a relatively regular basis. Don't know why they didn't pop into my head before. I think I'm just having panic-induced stupidity because I'm so excited to have hubby here for two whole weeks, and I just want everything to be so perfect for him! Guess I should stop and take a deep cleansing breath!
@Jerzee, yes, the vodka things sound like lots of fun! Thinking of doing a test run of those today while I clean house and wrap gifts... hahahaha... *hic*...
Actually, I may take some of those *deconstructed* (flinch) Bloody Mary things to stepson and DIL's holiday party next week (although she is preggers and probably won't appreciate them).
Anyway. Thanks for all the lovely suggestions. I'm feeling inspired, and the clouds are lifting! Feel free to keep adding to the list, because I think I'll bookmark it for future reference!
SE Talkers are the bestest!
LoCo at 12:17PM on 12/13/08