Easy Canapés suggestions

[mug2018]

This year my partner (of 18 months) & I are hosting Christmas Day for my brother & his family. I'm super excited to at last be able to share my Christmas with family after years of control & isolation caused by my ExH.
My DP is cooking & wants to do canapés & cocktails but neither of us want to be stuck in the kitchen for ages.

Any suggestions for quick and easy to prepare canapés ( not sure canapés would've been my choice, but I'm not going to talk him out if it as he's really excited about a family Christmas and wants to make it special for us all)
Thanks 😊

Is canapés and cocktails pre a main meal or in place of?

If it's pre I'd lay off the sausage rolls / PiB / sausages if you're having PiB as part of a Christmas meal.

Canapés are a pain in the arse! If in place of a main meal I'd be inclined to do platters - charcuterie with capers and crostini
Antipasti - artichokes, stuffed peppadew, variety of olives
Cheese but cut nicely with cocktail sticks so guests can graze rather than have a full plate
Sweet platter with brownie bites, mini cupcakes etc

If you're having a meal keep it really simple

Caprese skewers
Blinis
Watermelon and feta skewer
Olives and a cube of manchego

Are you doing canapés in addition to a trad Christmas dinner or in place of?

I'm doing canapés instead of a starter but I'm just buying them from M&S rather than making them myself, as cooking the Christmas dinner is more than enough work for one day.

Now I really want a canapé dinner today! 😭😭

I actually find having to use the oven for canapés a massive PITA. I never do hot ones for our parties as it makes the room too hot, people invariably stand in front of the oven but worst of all, I am constantly on clock watch, which is horrid if you're trying to chat and relax.

I'd imagine as well OP will be using the oven for lunch stuff eg turkey etc.

Cold is the way to go!

Sorry I misunderstood I thought this was an evening thing , in place of a Christmas roast ! OP if you are still having a large meal , I don't think you need to go overboard here - just a couple of cold bits .

@Dontforgetyourbrolly

buy it all ready made from M & S and shove in the oven ! Make a couple of salads the night before and put them in the fridge

Honestly if you're not big cooks and don't know where to start just do this, minus the salad. M&S have great canape options. Grab a couple of hot ones and then do some smoked salmon or proscuitto with cream cheese on blinis or cracker bread

Another vote for blinis with creme fraiche and a bit of caviar (the fake stuff!) or smoked salmon. I also do a couple of different dips and breadsticks (or pre-spread Melba toasts if you’d rather). Smoked mackerel whizzed up with cream cheese and a squirt of lemon juice is a winner, alternatively a couple of roasted peppers (i use the ones from a jar) whizzed with cream cheese is also tasty and loved by my children. I agree with a PP though, go with cold ones so you can keep the oven free for Christmas roast.

I love a cheese straw and they are easy to make. If you're not serving them with the main meal, how about cocktail sausages cooked in honey and sesame seeds? They're very easy too and really delicious.

For a cocktail idea (I know you didn't ask) how about Poinsettias. You can have a jug of cranberry juice and cointreau/triple sec ready in the fridge. To serve pour into wine glasses or coupes and top up with Prosecco or sparkling wine of choice. Nigella has the recipe.

Lots of good suggestions above-a big fav at our house is pancetta wrapped round asparagus-which you can do the day before-and then just pop in pan and fry up. Very nice, feels special but very little effort!

I agree that you want things that can be prepared in advance; you don't want to keep going to and fro to the oven.

Nigella's parmesan shortbread - make the day before
www.nigella.com/recipes/parmesan-shortbreads

Smoked almonds or (Nigella again) 'bar nuts', though personally I prefer them with less rosemary and perhaps just a couple of pinches of dried thyme. But you could vary the flavouring to taste:
www.nigella.com/recipes/bar-nuts
You can make these an hour or so before guests are due, and just keep them warm (under some clean tea-towels would do).

Celery sticks filled with soft blue cheese (mixed with cream cheese if liked) and sprinkled with coarsely ground pepper (pretty-coloured is nice) , cut into little bite-sized slices

Not fancy cooking, but I actually also like a few carrot sticks and strips of raw red pepper - and olives; something plain to counteract all the other rich food.

Hotdog, cheese and pineapple on a cocktail stick 😂😂😂

Mignon morceaux 😢

And low-carb favourite - cheese crispies. Make the day before, store in airtight container. Cooking them on non-stick paper/parchment is absolutey essential. They are fragile and easy to burn, but very tasty.
You could flavour them with herbs or fennel seeds or caraway seeds if liked.
There are dozens of recipes online. This one goes into a lot of extra detail but might be helpful if you have not cooked them before:
www.wholesomeyum.com/recipes/baked-cheddar-parmesan-crisps-recipe/

Mango, Parma harm and rocket on a cocktail stick is yum

Puff pastry mini tarts. I roll it out to a rectangle, cover with pesto, sprinkle with goats cheese and cut into small squares. They can be served cold too.

If you're not worried about covid, a charcuterie board with cheeses, crackers, etc.

Caprese skewers as PP mentioned

Mini quiches made in cupcake trays

Thank you all .. some amazing ideas.
Canapés & cocktails as a starter so I may lay off the cocktail sausages & potato suggestions but some great ideas.

... I'll make my list when I'm not so hungry 😋
Thank you ❤️

Oh yes if it’s in place of a starter then you don’t need nearly as much. I always skip anything too cheesy if it’s for a starter, because I like a cheeseboard as the finishing course.

Come back and let us know what you decide on for your canapé selection!

Devilled eggs are always popular here.

Smoked salmon and cream cheese rolls.

Depends on your budget, but choose a visit to: Asda, Tesco, M & S, Waitrose and but them from there. Job done.

Selections made 😃
Smoked salmon & creme cheese blinis (with roast peppers as veg option
Greek salad sticks
Tempura prawns
Prawn cocktail bites

... but if a fish theme going on 😆 but I think it will 'land' well with a couple of vegetarian & celiac options

Thanks for all your inspiration
Happy Christmas to all
Stay safe & well 🎄

Little Puff pastry circles with samosa filling, bite sized fruit kebabs, and bite sized cheese with a glass of fizz is usually a huge hit at mine.