Why big isn't always best

Good Food Blog

What is RSS?

Posted at 1:02PM, 04 December 2008 by Andrea McGinniss - Editor, bbcgoodfood.com

'Tis the season to eat canapés, and plenty of them. We're lucky enough to get invited to the odd launch party, and though we're always very happy to meet the man/woman/team behind the latest restaurant/bar/book/computer game, I have to admit the enjoyment of the event is often relative to the quality of the canapés.

So what makes a good canapé? As a seasoned grazer I can say it's not just about good ingredient combinations and creativity. There's practical factors to take into consideration too. For all those planning on doing some Christmas entertaining, or working in PR, here are some tips to consider.

1. Size. Forget what they say. Size DOES matter and this is one instance where bigger is definitely not better. You want your canapé to be small enough to eat in one bite, not so that it'll dribble down your dress, or worse still, into the eye of the painfully polite PR person opposite you. Warning: beware the canapé bearing the whole cherry tomato - if you can't pop the whole thing into your mouth, just say no! Whole burgers and hot dogs seem to be pretty popular right now but aren't the most elegant thing to eat so are often waved away.

2. The octopus complex. Unfortunately most of us were only born with two hands. One for holding the flute of fizz, one for picking up the canapés with. If there's no table to teeter your drink on it's virtually impossible to hold that cute but cumbersome mini box of fish and chips. And where do you put your used toothpicks, porcelain spoons, and skewers? Check the closest plants pots, you might be surprised. Lesson learnt: the less packaging the better.

Forget what they say. Size DOES matter and this is one instance where bigger is definitely not better.

3. Feeling saucy. Do we really want to dip our sausage/scotch egg/spring roll into someone else's sauce pot? Despite what mum taught us double dipping still goes on out there. And there's always a few relics from the last person's dunk still floating around in there. Note: The less interaction with the dish the better.

4. Quantity. Make many! If they're not planted right next to the kitchen, chances are the less pushy guests won't get their hands on the good stuff. Anything seafood related usually gets scoffed very quickly. The answer is: make more of them, or else circulate the trays from a different direction. Unless it's me standing next to the kitchen of course!

What's your favourite canapé? And which do you try to avoid?

Comments

sheppy

4 December 2008, 3:55PM
sheppy

A perfect summary of the troubles with canapes! The worst one to get wrong out of all 4 points...I reckon the quantity! There is nothing worse than not having enough.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Suzanne

4 December 2008, 4:31PM
Suzanne

Anything that leaves you with greasy fingers is pretty bad - you'll have to suddenly shake hands with someone, or even worse, accidentally run your hands through your hair, resulting in a less than aromatic barnet. And anything that gives you terrible breath is also a no-no. Nothing with garlic mayo!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Emily

4 December 2008, 4:39PM
Emily

Whole lamb chops were being handed out at a do recently - they looked delicious but I couldn't imagine how to eat one delicately! Nothing beats a salmon blini with a glass of fizz in my opinion, except perhaps a really good cheesy biscuit...

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
James

4 December 2008, 10:40PM
James

The answer to the cherry tomato problem is to slice them thinly - interleave 2 slices with a thin slice of mozzarella (you can use the smallest cutter in the cutter set you have at the back of the drawer), flash them in the oven and slide them on to a toasted croute, and spoon a little pesto or tapanade on top. I also like using 1/2 a small baked new potato as a canape base - nice with smoked trout mousse piped on top, with caviar, or blue cheese mousse. To stop the canapes slipping off the plate I've a pretty good tip here: http://www.thecotswoldfoodyear.com/2008/12/1001-kitcen-tips-36-no-move-canaps.html

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Holly

5 December 2008, 2:42AM
Holly

Bite size is definitely best. I've been to a few parties where they have those plastic things that go on the side of your plate and hold your drink. I don't trust them, the holders or the plates aren't the right shape.And why do people only talk to you when you have just popped something in your mouth - on that note - fatty pieces of meat are awful too - chewing for ages and when you've had enough - there's no polite way to take that yucky inedible chuck out of your mouth! Choose good cuts!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
gemcheat

5 December 2008, 11:55AM
gemcheat

I love smoked salmon blinis! Hate anything that is too big and can't be consumed in one bite.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Becks

5 December 2008, 3:02PM
Becks

I went to a party at St John where they were giving out whole hard boiled eggs IN THEIR SHELLS. I don't doubt that Fergus Henderson stands around in his party dress shelling himself eggs, but I have no wish to do it in mine. And all those old men breathing their champagne and egg fumes all over you. Rank. Venison parfait and chutney on rosemary shortbread. Canape nirvana.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Andrea

5 December 2008, 3:17PM
Andrea

Thanks for the cherry tomato tip James, although I think I'd still find a way to spill it down my top no matter how thinly it was sliced. Salmon blinis - yes I agree, yum... Venison parfait? I want to go to that launch! Can you invite me as your plus one next time Becks?!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Stormy

6 December 2008, 7:14AM
Stormy

My favourite canape is a mini yorkshire pudding with a piece of beef and minute amount of horseradish sauce. One answer to the difficulty of eating canapes and holding a glass of wine is to provide a plate that has a glass holder attached to it. Very useful.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
sioden

8 December 2008, 4:28PM
sioden

I was singing with a few friends in a wedding this summer, and we were invited to the champagne reception afterwards. The had the most delicious crab cakes I've ever tasted, and perfect rare beef with horseradish in mini yorkshire - I'm still looking for the perfect crab cake recipe to mimick them!!!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
survivalcook

10 December 2008, 6:44PM
survivalcook

Anything bit-sized as agreed, no toothpicks either. Finger food is finger food. Horrendeous to hear of the fatty meat and eggs in shells yeurrrkk. Mini fish or crab balls are good, so are mini meat balls ( but MUST be good mince). All must be fairly moist though because of no communal dipping.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
miniminx

11 December 2008, 8:17AM
miniminx

bring on the pastry! that perfect little square of filo or puff is a blank canvas for a perfect canape. my current fav: haggis with a dollop of sweet chilli in the centre - with a dram it's an Edinburgh classic!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Pixie83

11 December 2008, 10:29AM
Pixie83

I always avoid smelly/big canapes and any that have ingrediants that could get stuck in your teeth, like spinach. The best canape is one that will not leave any evidence once eaten.

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:
Teletubbies1

11 December 2008, 7:08PM
Teletubbies1

Fabulous. And it's good to see a sub-editor getting a share of the writing limelight. Not that we don't re-write most things anyway!

Flag as inappropriate

Please let us know your name and the reason you find the above comment inappropriate.

Your name: Reason:

Your binder

Here are three other great reasons to sign up:

You get an online binder, where you can store all your favourite recipes and create menus.
You can add your own recipes to this site for others to try; plus, rate and make comments on recipes, and share your views on our blog.
You can sign up for our weekly newsletter (sent out on Wednesdays) - it's packed with recipes, special offers and competitions.

Search Good Food

Keywords

Refine your recipe search

Search filter options

BBC Good Food

Primary Navigation

Good Food Blog