Party Canape Ideas
Canapes, which are small hors d'oeuvres that you serve on a slice of either toasted or untoasted bread with the crust removed, add a touch of elegance to any party. Unlike chips and dip, which your guests may have seen at numerous parties before, serving canapes sets your party apart. The type of canapes you choose for your party depends on your budget, the amount of preparation time you have and your personal preferences. Does this Spark an idea?
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Vegetable Canapes
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Vegetable canapes appeal to your health-conscious guests and are less expensive than meat- or seafood-based options. Using toasted bread rounds or triangles pairs well with soft vegetables such as tomatoes, while using untoasted bread gives a nice contrast to crunchy vegetables such as broccoli, carrots or cucumber rounds. Spread the bread with onion dip or plain Greek yogurt. Top with a single cherry tomato, or finely chop carrots and cucumbers and place by 1/2 teaspoon on the dip. Spread red pepper hummus on the toasted bread and top with sliced black olives for a vegetarian canape that everyone will enjoy.
Canapes with Meat
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Meat-based canapes are substantial hors d'oeuvres that can help satisfy your guests' hunger, especially if your party does not include a full meal. Spread gourmet honey mustard on the bread and top with thinly sliced, grilled chicken tenders and a small mushroom. Add interest to a prosciutto canape by using a small cantaloupe ball as the base of the canape. Place a toothpick through the cantaloupe ball and thread a 2-inch piece of prosciutto onto the toothpick.
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Seafood Canapes
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Seafood canapes can complement many parties, from wedding showers to fundraisers. Splurge on fresh oysters, and place the raw oysters on a piece of toasted bread. Top with a dash of homemade cocktail sauce for an elegant, unusual canape. Spread a mixture of Greek yogurt and chives on a small triangle of toasted bread. Tightly roll a piece of thinly sliced smoked salmon and place it firmly atop the bread. Other seafood canape ideas include an anchovy paste topped with small cooked shrimp or thinly sliced herring placed on a spread of lemon, sour cream, butter and chives.
Things to Consider
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When serving canapes at your party, determine how many you will need by calculating how long you will be offering the canapes as an appetizer. If you just pass the canapes once, offer the canapes for less than an hour and have no other food at the party, plan on five canapes per person. If you have other appetizers or hors d'oeuvres at your party, allocate two to three canapes per person. Inform guests with seafood allergies if any of the toppings contain seafood.
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