I've always been in favor of preparing some appetizers when you have guests at home. In many cases they can be prepared a bit in advance, which allows you to be with the guests when they arrive, and I think that's a fantastic way to start a meal or dinner. If the group is large, I suggest also serving a welcome cocktail or punch — it's ideal for breaking the ice!
I always keep several things in mind when preparing appetizers:
- I prefer a looser presentation for appetizers so each portion can breathe, rather than portions touching each other. That way you avoid them sticking together when someone picks one up.
- Each guest should be able to try every appetizer, so you already know how many units of each appetizer you need at minimum. If making more, I try to make even portions, although that will vary depending on the appetizer you're preparing.
- Simple is a win: I recommend using quality ingredients or winning combinations without complicated preparations. A plate of ham will be a talking point if it's top quality and well sliced; or a mini toast will surprise guests with just a bit of cheese and walnut but tasting a delicious truffle flavor thanks to that special oil you added.
- Don't overload: there's no need to put too much topping on each portion. The important thing is to taste and enjoy it. If you overdo it, small pieces will easily fall onto the plate and spoil the presentation, or guests will have difficulty eating it gracefully and neatly. Don't put them through that!
- Remember not to serve oily portions or ones with sauce on wooden boards or plates without edges, or it could spill onto the tablecloth.
With these few basic guidelines discussed, it's time to see how they can be presented. The nature of the appetizer will give a good indication of how to do it. Here are some ideas.
If you're thinking of presenting cold cuts, I believe a wooden board is always the best choice. You can play with presenting them on a round board or a rectangular/long board depending on the space or table you have. If you want to present cheeses, wood is undoubtedly the best option if they need to be sliced, but if you present them already sliced I'd consider the marble stand, a rectangular tray or a pretty plate, on which to present them in triangular cuts.
Mini round Le Creuset cocottes and range of plates, bowls and trays Fleur de Ligne by Tokyo Design
The bowls will serve you both to serve an appetizer and to serve a sauce. They can help turn the table into an explosion of color or into a very elegant appetizer... For that reason I've always thought that having pretty bowls that match your style is important. For the same purpose the ceramic mini-cocottes will serve you, which you can also present on the table covered and open at the moment (especially for hot appetizers, since they help retain heat), or leave them presented with the lid half-covered, which looks charming and creates some intrigue about what's inside.
If what you want is to serve a sauce, jam or chutney, you can place the bowl in the middle of the board, tray or plate where you arrange those little toasts, crackers or cheeses that you plan to pair with it. Presenting everything on the same support, sauce and toast or similar, helps make it clear what that sauce or chutney is meant to accompany. And remember to include a little spoon in the bowl for serving!
If making skewers, arrange them in parallel and well organized on a tray or plate. Doing it well or being careless makes a huge difference in presentation. The same applies when serving small sandwiches or canapés.
Green Cosmos trays by Tokyo Design, MasterClass baguette board and Kitchen Craft slate plates
If you're looking for a different way to serve certain appetizers, slate stones can be very useful: some toasts well arranged there look original and well presented, and the contrast with the color of the stone makes them stand out even more.
Also centerpieces are original and practical ways to serve appetizers: everything is gathered and well presented without extra fuss. And porcelain spoons are a good resource when you want to surprise with a delicate and elegant appetizer.
Tokyo Design porcelain spoon and Masterclass appetizer centerpiece
First impressions are important, and details matter — or so I believe! For that reason, I feel that starting a meal with tasty and well-presented appetizers helps relax the atmosphere and creates a good memory of that feast. I hope these ideas help your next guests think when they see the table, "What a meal I'm in for!"
NOTE: We recently added several ranges of porcelain plates, bowls and trays from Tokyo Design Studio that I'm in love with. I invite you to see them (here), they're ideal for appetizers.
