Hit me with your canapes!

[Todayiscool]

This Christmas, DH has suggested that rather than having sit-down meals, we just lay on plates and plates of snacks, canapes and cocktails (and for the benefit of common-sense) mocktails, all day long.

I think this is an EXCELLENT idea, I'm much more of a grazer than a sit-down-and-eater (and believe me, I LOVE to eat).

It'll be, DH, DD (7), DM and DF and me on the day. DM and DF are pescatarians, both no other restrictions.

It'd be great to have a combo of things we can make-ahead, and things we can make on the day!

I love this sort of food. It is a faff, but with good prep and savvy shopping plus a fairly relaxed vibe I don't see it would be too much. I would be shot but have done it for Boxing Day.

Smoked fish pate, cheese board, fruit platter, anti pasti platter, vodka tomatoes, mini quiches, devilled eggs and stuffed mushrooms are all good done in advance.

I am so grateful for these ideas!!
I LOVE Christmas (and food, and planning) and this has given me that little bubble of Christmas excitement.

So far I have the following on my list - of course, we don't do all of them, but it's a good starting place:

Blinis with smoked salmon and caviar.
Mini prawn cocktail (will need to buy shot glasses).
Cheese/charcuterie board.
Haloumi and chilli jam.
Glazed cocktail sausages/vegetarian sausages.
Stuffed dates (we do this usually with medjool dates and blue cheese).
Brie and cranberry parcels (we buy these pre-made usually).
Pate on toast
Salmon tartar, capers, lemon zest
Baked camembert (to make use of the camembert baking thing we never use).
Mini gazpacho (I'll buy pre-made)
Sausage rolls
Figs, goats cheese, honey
Quail eggs and celery salt
Pigs in blankets
Croustades with mackerel pate (we do this most years)

Plus - some 3-for-2 M&S jobbies in the freezer, of course!

Gorgeous menu

I also think pears look great. They do the presentation work for you. Prep them in red wine/christmas spices and serve with cream and a drizzle of the juice it was poached in. It can be made day before and just reheated. It's light aswell after all the rich cheeses you'll be chomping down.

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/red-wine-poached-pears/

Oh yes @Yocal - good call on the poached pears, they're so festive (and can be made the day before and kept in the fridge) - also good sweet, or savoury! Good idea.

Yum - that looks like such a good list!

Nothing to add but shamefully place marking. This is exactly what I want to do this year!

Another idea. Strictly speaking not a canape, but it takes ten mins to prepare the day before and you just put it in the oven and serve with dipping crisps/nacos/toasts when you are ready for it.

It's absolutely devine, but definitely indulgent so perfect for Christmas.

https://www.theparentspot.com/recipes/hot-asiago-artichoke-dip-spinach/

We usually have canapés at noon and then the main course mid-afternoon. The canapés are generally totally retro foods that I loved when I was little.

Generally we have:
Avrenkha fake caviar on blini
Smoked salmon on wheaten bread and butter
Devils on horseback
Mushroom vol-au-vents
Croutons made by slicing up bagels and baking them in the oven with pate and cornichons
Endive leaves with goats cheese and figs/cranberry sauce/pomegranate seeds/chutney/beetroot - something colourful and a bit sweet & tart.