Three Elegant Easy Assemble Appetizers

Normally when I through a party I don't go in for the little finger foods, I usually make one big dish and let everyone serve themselves family style, like a ham or a lasagna. But when dining as they do in Downton, I thought petite snacks were in order. Since I do not have a maid, a cook, and a butler full time attending to my needs, I had to find easy, delicious appetizers. These three appetizers are easily prepped the night before a party, and then simply assembled just before the party. 

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Rounds

1 English cucumber
1 small packet of smoked salmon 
8 oz of smoked salmon dip (ask your fish counter person) 
8 oz of cream cheese (softened) 

The night before

1. Using a mandolin for easy and even slices cut the cucumber, store in cool water over night in the refrigerator in container with a lid. 
2. Using a small cookie cutter, or just a knife cut the smoked salmon and store in an air tight container in the fridge. 
3. Mix the smoked salmon dip and the cream cheese, place in a pastry bag with a star tip in a ziploc bag. 

Just before the party

4. Lay the cucumber pieces on a platter, top with smoked salmon, dollop or pipe on the dip. 

Roast Beef and Onion Marmalade Canapes

1 wheat baguette sliced (ask the bakery to cut it for you) 
1/2 pound of garlic and herb roast beef (thin sliced from the deli counter) 
onion marmalade (or make your own, with 1 onion, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1/4 cup of balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper) 

The night before

1. Store your sliced baguette in a plastic bag so that it does not dry out. 
2. Lay out the roast beef flat and cut into approximately 3 inch by 3 inch pieces. That meant for me, laying all of the pieces on top of each other and making two cuts, to cut each piece into thirds. Store in the fridge in a zip lock bag. 
3. Make the onion marmalade: caramelize the onions on medium heat with salt and pepper, stirring occasionally. Add the sugar and stir to prevent scorching. Once the sugar has melted, off the heat add the vinegar. Store in an air tight container in the fridge. 

Just before the party

4.  Lay the baguette slices on a platter, top with roast beef, dollop on the onion marmalade. 

English Cheddar and Major Grey Chutney Canapes

1 baguette sliced (ask the bakery to cut it for you) 
1/2 pound of good english cheddar
Major Grey Chutney

The night before

1. Store your sliced baguette in a plastic bag so that it does not dry out. 
2. Slice the cheese into half inch thickness, don't worry so much about the length, a good quality cheddar will break a little bit. Store in the fridge in a zip lock bag. 
3. Leave the chutney in the jar, just don't forget where you put it. 

Just before the party

4.  Lay the baguette slices on a platter, top with cheese, dollop on the chutney. 


As always, much love, many blessings, and happy party.