Christmas or New Year, birthday party or dinner party I love a canapé, vol-au-vent or a bite sized snack with drinks. It's a great way of welcoming guests and setting the scene for what's to come.
They're much more than just a nibble that not only helps to soak up the enthusiastic alcoholic start to the evening, they also don't need to be eaten at a table. Start the evening with a cocktail, our Clementine & Ginger Spritz, St Lucia Rum Punch, Orange, Clementine & Ginger Gin or Clementine & Ginger Eggnog are goodies, and then bring out the food, open a few bottles of wine and let your guests get on with it; whether they sit, stand or perch.
Our tin of Makers & Merchants Brilliant Biscuits for Cheese make a great base for canapés. The two flavours are perfect for a whole range of toppings be they fish, meat or vegetarian. The key is to make them as close to serving as possible to keep the biscuity crunch. After a number of hours they soften and give you a bit of a soggy bottom!
Ingredients
Makers & Merchants Brilliant Biscuits for Cheese
Ingredients for your favourite toppings
Topping Ideas
There are so many toppings that you can try but here are a few easy and quick examples for those unexpected but very welcome guests.
For these topping ideas I've simply raided the deli counter at a local supermarket or independent deli but you can of course make your own.
For the Cornish Seaweed Biscuits base:
Smoked salmon and Salmon paté with a single prawn & a blob of dill sauce.
Smoked mackerel paté, a tsp of trout caviar & dill sauce.
A slather of dill sauce, topped with cooked flakes of poached salmon & a sprig of flat leaf parsley.
Pre-made prawn cocktail, half a marinated anchovy and a sprinkle of fresh dill.
Levantine Beetroot, Yoghurt & Sumac dip with flakes of poached salmon and a sprig of fresh dill.
For the Rich Parmesan Biscuits base:
Coronation chicken & a sprig of flat leaf parsley
Houmous of any variety topped with a chorizo crumb.
Levantine Beetroot, Yoghurt & Sumac dip topped with creamy chicken & tarragon.
The list is endless. Do try your own ideas.