Types of Appetizers, Sauces and Soups
Types of Appetizers
Appetizers, or hors d'oeuvres, are bite-size or small delicacies served before a meal. Guests and family members can nibble on them while waiting for the main courses. Appetizers are small enough that they whet the appetite more than they satisfy hunger. They come in many types. However, they are often divided into separate categories. These categories have some crossover because many appetizers fit into more than one group. * Canapes
Canapes are usually small pieces of toast, bread or crackers topped with a savory combination of food. To make canapés, decide whether you will be using bread or crackers as a base. If bread, you can either toast it or leave it plain. However, it is usually cut into small, bite-size pieces. The next step is to find a pleasing combination of foods to place on the top of your base. Commonly used toppings are cheese and sausage, cream cheese and cucumber, deviled egg or smoked salmon. There is no limit to the food combinations you can use.
* Vegetable Appetizers
There is an entire category of appetizer that uses vegetables as a base for other foods. Vegetables are either thickly sliced to form a base, or stuffed with fillings. For example, cucumbers can be sliced and then spread with cream cheese and topped with a piece of tomato. Another idea is to fill a pea pod with a tuna or egg filling. These kinds of finger foods are generally very appealing.
* Hot Appetizers
Hot appetizers are items, such as mini quiches, bruschetta and puff pastry envelopes, stuffed with savory fillings. These appetizers are best when served warm. Other examples of hot appetizers are small spicy kebabs, fritters and warm pieces of sausage.
* Dips and Spreads
You can prepare dips and spreads ahead of time and serve them either hot or cold. They are usually paired with a variety of raw vegetables, bread pieces, crackers or corn chips. The vegetables or other foods are usually dunked into the dip and then eaten. You can
Appetizers, or hors d'oeuvres, are bite-size or small delicacies served before a meal. Guests and family members can nibble on them while waiting for the main courses. Appetizers are small enough that they whet the appetite more than they satisfy hunger. They come in many types. However, they are often divided into separate categories. These categories have some crossover because many appetizers fit into more than one group. * Canapes
Canapes are usually small pieces of toast, bread or crackers topped with a savory combination of food. To make canapés, decide whether you will be using bread or crackers as a base. If bread, you can either toast it or leave it plain. However, it is usually cut into small, bite-size pieces. The next step is to find a pleasing combination of foods to place on the top of your base. Commonly used toppings are cheese and sausage, cream cheese and cucumber, deviled egg or smoked salmon. There is no limit to the food combinations you can use.
* Vegetable Appetizers
There is an entire category of appetizer that uses vegetables as a base for other foods. Vegetables are either thickly sliced to form a base, or stuffed with fillings. For example, cucumbers can be sliced and then spread with cream cheese and topped with a piece of tomato. Another idea is to fill a pea pod with a tuna or egg filling. These kinds of finger foods are generally very appealing.
* Hot Appetizers
Hot appetizers are items, such as mini quiches, bruschetta and puff pastry envelopes, stuffed with savory fillings. These appetizers are best when served warm. Other examples of hot appetizers are small spicy kebabs, fritters and warm pieces of sausage.
* Dips and Spreads
You can prepare dips and spreads ahead of time and serve them either hot or cold. They are usually paired with a variety of raw vegetables, bread pieces, crackers or corn chips. The vegetables or other foods are usually dunked into the dip and then eaten. You can