If you are looking for some appetizers to serve for your next gathering or some nibbles to go with drinks, use this formula: bread, spread, main item and garnish. Such a simple formula offers enormous variety and can produce highly sophisticated combinations. We are going to stick to the quick and easy.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal live. John 3:16 (NIV)

Because we are talking about appetizers or something to serve on a cocktail hour, we will choose preferably savory combinations. Many of these combinations will also work just as well as a sandwich that you can cut into small ones for a party or eat whole to solve the lunch problem.

Bread - Wheat, rye... Can you imagine the possibilities? Slice and trim the edges. Cut in 4 squares, 2 to 4 triangles or stripes. If you have time to spare, use a small cookie cutter to shape the bread into circles, seasonal shapes or funny ones. Children love this. We will skip any toasting.

Spread - Butter, savory butters, pâté, or cream cheese, plain of flavored. Stick to butter and cream cheese for children.

Main item - It can be any, meat, cheese, fish, caviar, a seasoned paste. Caviar or smoked salmon have always been popular with adults and cooked ham with children, although those are not the only options.

Garnish - From simple chopped herbs or vegetables, to pickles, caviar, chutney, relish, or a drizzle of flavored oil.

Some ideas

Choose whole wheat bread for a healthier option. Trim and cut into four squares. For each piece:

1 - Spread butter. Top with 1 slice hard boiled egg and 1/2 anchovy fillet.

2 - Spread butter. Top with 1 slice cucumber. Garnish with a little tzatziki.

3 - Spread butter. Top with 1 slice salami. Garnish with thinly sliced onion.

4 - Spread chicken liver pâté. Top with 1 small slice cooked beet. Garnish with ½ teaspoon chopped parsley.

5 - Spread butter. Top with roast beef cut to size. Garnish with horseradish.

6 - Spread cream cheese or, for a vegetarian option, spread vegetable margarine. Top with sliced tomato. Garnish with chopped parsley.

7 - Spread butter. Top with sliced cheese. Garnish with apple and onion chutney.

8 - Spread vegetable margarine. Top with 1 slice of boiled potato. Garnish with a few drops of garlic flavored oil and chopped parsley.

9 - Spread butter or cream cheese. Top with smoked trout. Garnish with chopped capers.

10 - Spread peanut butter. Top with sliced apple - rub lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Garnish with ½ teaspoon finely chopped white celery.

11 - Skip any spread. Top wit sliced avocado - rub with lemon juice to prevent discoloration - and a couple cooked peeled shrimp -or more, depending on size. Garnish with Marie Rose sauce.

12 - Spread butter. Top with finely sliced cooked chicken. Garnish with a little curried mayonnaise with raisins.

Create your own

If you are in a hurry, there is always the option of ready made toast. Do not limit yourself to bread. There are other savory bases to use. What about pastry squares or crackers? Use sandwich spread. You choose one that comes in a tube as your top item and squeeze it in a spiral shape.

Choose a dip gourmet dip for garnish, or explore the guacamole or bean dip options.

Make your own creations with leftover roast meat for a quick day-after meal. Garnish with roasted red peppers or onions.

Choose contrasting flavors and textures.

Mariah Deavine is interested in nutrition nad healthy food practices. Her articles and healthy recipes are habitual at http://www.allfoodsnatural.com and other sites.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com

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