Delightful Lite Appetizers
Appetizers are small savory bites of food that is usually served as a Hors d’oeuvres typically eaten before the entree main course of a meal served with a beverage of choice such as cocktails at a soiree gathering. The concept of appetizers dates way back to ancient civilizations across the globe as different cultures enjoy their favorites. Early appetizers stimulated the appetite and set the tone for the feast. In ancient Greece and Rome people socialized while savoring small portions of cured meat, cheeses, fish, vegetables and olives before the main meal was served. Wealthy Frenchmen introduced elaborate appetizers called hors d’oeuvres in the late mid 17th and 19th centuries serving small portions of savory foods. Traditional French hors d’ oeuvres include canape consisting of a small piece of bread with a savory topping served before a meal. These were served while guests awaited gourmet masterpieces.
Hors d’oeuvres gained popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries although serving small portions of food before the main meal was known in many other cultures. In the United States hors d’oeuvres was introduced by Americians who traveled abroad according to cookery teacher Lucy G Allen who published a book of Hors d’oeuvres in 1925. Allen describes her ” hors d’oeuvres as small portions of highly seasoned flavored foods used to precede a meal with the object being to stimulate and sharpen the appetite rather than dull it for subsequent food. These appetizers as they are also called should be seasoned with great care for it is not piquant and tasty the purpose is lost.” Her illustrated cookbook offers suggestions for arranging hors d’oeuvres attractively on plates and garnishes them to stimulate appetite for eating.
In the 20th century hors d’oeuvres became popular among Americans as small portions of food served at cocktail parties or after work happy hour or during home entertaining. Appetizers vary in complexity of flavors and the temperature in which they are served. They comprise of a wide variety of dishes although a few distinct types of hors d’ oeuvres are typically common including American favorites like Sticky Baked Chicken Wings, Brioche Crab Melts, Fried Pickles with Spicy Mayonnaise, Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings, Stuffed Eggs, Caramelized Onion Dip for Crudites Vegetables Platter, Bite size crab cakes with horseradish sauce. Healthy appetizers are popular among adults who want to experience entertaining while enjoying delicious savory small samples of food before the entree is served to stimulate the appetite.
Healthy appetizers ideas include High Protein Crack Dip served with vegetables, Salmon Dip with whole wheat crackers, protein packed Healthy Chicken Quesadilla with salsa, Best Grilled Zucchini Slices. Air Fryer Buffalo Cauliflower Wings, Fresh Guacamole served with vegetables, Grilled Brussel Sprouts, Turkey and low fat Cheese Pinwheels with hummus. Spring Rolls, Small Tuna Salad Lettuce Wraps, Turkey Enchilada Stuffed Mushrooms, Wheat Crackers with Avocado Spread topped with fresh greens is delightful. Crudites appetizer platter is a fresh vegetable platter with dip typically served at parties, picnics, and other social events. The platter is served with a variety of fresh vegetables including carrot sticks, celery sticks, cucumber rounds, pickles, broccoli, tomatoes, cubes of lite cheese prepared in bite size pieces usually served with spreads and sauces for dipping.
The cookbook Graze by Suzanne Lenzer is an inspiration for small plates and meandering meals offers a mouthwatering collection of 80 recipes for small bites, tapas, charcuterie spreads. Grazing is an enchanting way to eat trying different foods without committing to a single one.
Cheers!
Patricia Lynn
Images Courtesy Of Svetlana AdobeStock
Leave a Reply