Our friend Marylou wrote to me with a suggestion for a post.
She asked for appetizer and hors d’œuvre recipes “that one might prepare and take to Christmas parties that won’t take two days to prepare nor cost like the cable bill.”
Since it is the season for all variety of holiday parties, I think she is on to something!
I have done a number of really simple appetizers on Cocoa & Lavender but sometimes, especially for new readers, it’s nice to offer a refresher. Thus, here are some links to some of my favorites. Just click on the recipe name and it will open a new window with that post featuring photographs and a recipe.
Caponata – a family favorite that serves a lot of people. Shown here as a first course, Caponata may also be served with bread or crackers as an appetizer.
Chorizo-stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon – a Southwest favorite.
Cicchetti al Tonno e Cacao – an unusual idea we picked up in Venice.
Tuscan Kale Chips – healthy and really tasty.
Tuna Pâté – a buttery take on tuna rillettes.
White Bean Purée – an herbed Italian dip or spread.
Finally, I leave you with two of my mother’s holiday favorites. The first is her Salmon Pâté, which can be presented simply as shown or, for the ambitious with time on their hands, it can be molded into the shape of a fish and topped with thinly sliced cucumbers like fish scales. The second recipe is for her Marinated Mushrooms – delightful, and light!
Markipedia and I wish you a happy, safe, and love-filled holiday!
~ David
Salmon Pâté
1 small onion or 1 large shallot
2 teaspoons unsalted butter
1 pound cooked, skinless salmon filet
8 ounces cream cheese
3 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon (generous) horseradish
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill weed
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke, or 1/2 teaspoon Pimentón (smoked paprika)
dash Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and freshly ground black pepper
cucumber slices for serving
Mince onion and cook in butter until clear. Put sautéed onion and remaining ingredients (except cucumber slices) in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse several times to blend. Once the ingredients are evenly mixed, purée until smooth. That’s it!
This pâté may be served in a bowl, or mounded and decorated with thinly sliced cucumber slices.
Serves 10-12.
Marinated Mushrooms
1 pound small button mushrooms
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
Clean mushrooms and pat dry. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over mushrooms in a glass or ceramic bowl. Cover and let marinate overnight.
Serves 6-8.
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Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things
November 21, 2015 at 8:39 pmOoooh, gorgeous! And I adore that linen!! xx
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 1:37 pmLinen is a real weakness of mine, Liz. And I love to iron, which is a good thing!
Sippity Sup
November 22, 2015 at 1:31 amThe cocoa dusted tuns sounds intriguing. GREG
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 1:37 pmIt is a really interesting way of using cocoa, Greg – as a spice rather than a sweet. It works!
Paola
November 22, 2015 at 7:48 amLove those spoons too!! (And all of your appetisers of course)
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 1:38 pmThanks, Paola! Sadly, those are just some of the collection! 🙂
Kirsten Honeyman
November 22, 2015 at 2:42 pmLove the food, but also LOVE your collections of spoons, knives, and napkins. All, undoubtedly, lovingly collected from your travels. Beautiful!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 1:39 pmKirsten – it is fun to collect things when we travel, but many of those special items have been given to us by friends. Several of the spoons, though, were from travels to Kenya, France, Mexico, and Germany.
John - heneedsfood
November 22, 2015 at 8:52 pmI vowed to make the tonno e cacao when you originally posted it, but I still haven't! I may give it a crack this coming weekend. Perhaps I can use the tin of salmon that's already in the pantry!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 1:39 pmJohn – if you use the tin of salmon, let me know how it works!
Chef Mimi
November 23, 2015 at 2:11 pmAll beautiful and enticing. I love all pates! I've also always loved your utensils, measuring cups, and so forth. Do you do a lot of antique shopping?
Cocoa & Lavender
November 23, 2015 at 2:19 pmThanks, Mimi – both pâtés are really quite good but very different! I do some antique shopping, but also when I travel, and in fun kitchen shops. I always keep my eyes open for little bows, spoons, knives, and linens – more for me than the blog, but these little things benefit both!
Cheri Savory Spoon
November 23, 2015 at 10:59 pmBeautiful appetizers David, you sure know how to make holidays special. Happy Thanksgiving to you and Mark!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 24, 2015 at 2:55 pmHappy Thanksgiving to you, as well, Cheri! The weather is pretty perfect!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness
November 24, 2015 at 9:20 amDear David, nice line-up of all those wonderful recipes that I am sure were all picture perfect and utterly delicious-
I would like to take this opportunity and wish you and Mark a very Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving 2015! I am very thankful for having had the chance ot meet you two lovely and wonderful guys and to be able to call you my friends! And I am sure that we will meet again soon! Whenever and wherever that will be, I am looking forward to it and to our continued friendship!
Ganz liebe und herzliche Grüße von uns allen!
Andrea & Co.
Cocoa & Lavender
November 24, 2015 at 2:56 pmThanks, Andrea – we are ever so thankful that we got to meet you and (almost all of) your family when we were there. Be well, and enjoy this lovely season! Liebe Grüße, David
Marcelle
November 24, 2015 at 9:04 pmWow, terrific recipes! Thanks for putting this all together. I have a date with your recipe for caponata and that white bean puree very soon!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 24, 2015 at 11:05 pmThanks, Marcelle! I think you will love them! Happy Thanksgiving!
handmade by amalia
November 25, 2015 at 9:15 amThis is my first visit to your blog and I so enjoyed it. Lovely.
Amalia
xo
Cocoa & Lavender
November 25, 2015 at 3:08 pmThanks so much for your kind comment, Amalia! Glad you stopped by! Happy Thanksgiving!
Nuts about food
November 26, 2015 at 11:44 amHappy Thanksgiving to you both!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 26, 2015 at 1:57 pmThanks, Fiona – to you all, as well! Wondering if you are making a turkey… We aren't – we are having a porchetta roast! 🙂
Christina | Christina's Cucina
November 28, 2015 at 11:58 pmThis is perfect for the upcoming holidays! I'm always looking for new appetizers and your marinated mushrooms sound wonderful right now! Wish I had some ready!
Cocoa & Lavender
November 29, 2015 at 3:48 pmThe good news is that they are ready in a short time!:) Glad you like the appetizer ideas, Christina!
Inger @ Art of Natural Living
December 1, 2015 at 3:00 pmWhat a timely post! I am trying to decide if I should assign my brother dessert or an appetizer for Christmas Eve. He may just get dessert after this!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 2, 2015 at 2:29 pmGlad I was able to be of service, Inger! 🙂
Nicole - RieglPalate.com
December 4, 2015 at 2:20 amDavid – They all look so yummy! Ed would love the chorizo stuffed dates. I have a soft spot for marinated mushrooms – I used to bring a sandwich bag full for lunch in 4th grade. Ed loves that story!
Cocoa & Lavender
December 4, 2015 at 3:05 pmThanks, Nicole! We loved these mushrooms as kids, too, although the recipe didn't come to my mother till I was in Middle and Brad was in High School.
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February 15, 2016 at 3:26 amthank you for recipes, i like this
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