Cooking Corner - Hors d'oeuvres

Written By: Ellen Kleven  |  Posted: Friday, January 6th, 2012

            I have just come from celebrating and remembering the birth of our dear Saviour and I can't help but think about how richly he has blessed so many of us with family, friends, and even material things. Most of us were able to enjoy cozy homes filled with loved family and warm laughter, beautiful gifts, and delicious brunches and dinners. Though these precious memories are fresh, New Year's Eve is just around the corner, which usually means more time to enjoy friends and family. It's a special time for celebration and reflection, and throwing a hors d'oeuvres party is a perfect way to end the year.

            Hors d'oeuvres are usually easy to plan and prepare and guests enjoy the array of tidbits available coupled with the easygoing atmosphere that follows the more formal holidays. The amount of work or time you put into a party of this sort is really up to you. It can be as simple as providing a random selection of fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, cheeses, chips, crackers, dips, salsas, desserts and drinks. You can make it extravagant with perfectly arranged and garnished canapés, crudités, crostini, sushi, tapas, tea sandwiches, mini skewered foods and other perfect bite-or-two sized morsels. Either way, you can choose to get a head start by making and freezing foods, or enlist help by assigning recipes or having a cooking party the day before. If you're really laid back about it, you can even just ask that everyone bring an appetizer to pass and see what comes of it.

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