Quick and Delicious Appetizers: 6 Recipes to Shine at Family Celebrations

Which appetizer will you like the most? I think among these canapé and crispbread options we bring you today, you won't know which to choose... Because they are alldelicious appetizers! Also, making them takes very little time but you'll look wonderfully good at engagement meals and dinners. Check out the appetizers we bring you! I hope they inspire you.

I bring you 6 new... And at the end I remind you of other delicious options we have on the blog. Let's go for all of them!

1) Puff pastry volcanoes with caviar and cream cheese

Ingredients:

• Puff pastry tartlets*
• 100 g cream cheese
• 50 g caviar (you can use sturgeon caviar or substitute it with alternatives like salmon or trout roe)
• Fresh chopped parsley (optional, for garnish)

Preparation

1. Mix in a bowl, with small ball-tip whisks, the cream cheese until it reaches room temperature and is smooth and easy to spread.
2. Once the puff pastry tartlets are cold, add a small teaspoon of cream cheese in the center of each one.
3. On top of the cream cheese, place a small amount of caviar.
4. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley, if desired, to add a touch of color and fresh flavor.

*If you want, you can also make the puff pastry base yourself. You just have to cut a refrigerated griddle to the size and shape you want. Brush with egg and bake at 190 ºC with some pie weights on top of the area where the filling for this appetizer will go.

2) Smoked salmon, cream cheese and cucumber crispbreads

A versatile and delicious option that combines fresh and smoky flavors, perfect to delight your guests on any special occasion.

Ingredients:

• Bread of your choice (preferably baguette or rye bread, or thin crispbreads)
• 200 g smoked salmon
• 150 g cream cheese
• 1 cucumber
• 1 red onion
• Fresh dill (optional, for garnish)
• Oil (optional, for drizzling)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. If you use crispbreads, you can start assembling them quickly. If you use day-old bread, slice it (thin or thick, your choice), toast the slices in a toaster or oven until lightly golden. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.
2. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds. If you prefer, you can partially peel the cucumber for a more decorative look.
3. Spread each toast generously with cream cheese.
4. Place cucumber slices over the cream cheese on each bread slice.
5. On top of the cucumber, place a portion of smoked salmon, distributing it evenly. If desired, squeeze a little lemon juice over the salmon to enhance the flavor.
6. Slice the red onion and scatter some pieces on top.
7. Drizzle with a little oil (you can use a spray to minimize it), add salt and pepper to taste (optional).
8. If you like, garnish with some fresh dill leaves to add an extra touch of freshness and flavor.

3) Pineapple and shrimp skewer

Ingredients

• Large cooked shrimp (peeled and deveined)
• Fresh pineapple cut into small cubes
• Skewer sticks or small picks
• Sauce for sautéing the shrimp* (optional! You can make the shrimp skewers with cooked shrimp or with shrimp sautéed and cooked)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Cooking oil

*If you decide to make the skewers with sautéed shrimp, you can do it in a mixture of melted butter, chopped garlic, lemon juice, paprika, and/or hot sauce to taste. Here's a recipe for it:

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 large garlic clove finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sweet or smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

If you are going to serve the skewer with sautéed shrimp: 

1. Melt the butter in a pan over medium heat.
2. Add the chopped garlic clove and cook for about one minute, making sure the garlic doesn't burn.
3. Add the sweet or smoked paprika to the pan and mix well with the butter and garlic. Cook for about 30 more seconds so the flavors combine.
4. Add the cooked shrimp to the pan and sauté with the butter and spice mixture for a few minutes, until they are cooked and pink on both sides.
5. If you prefer, squeeze a little lemon juice over the shrimp to give a touch of acidity and freshness. Stir so they soak up the flavor.
6. Remove the shrimp from the heat and set aside.

We prepare the skewer (with sautéed or cooked shrimp)

1. On the skewer sticks or picks, thread a sautéed shrimp followed by a pineapple cube, repeating the pattern until the skewer is filled.
2. If desired, you can present the shrimp and pineapple skewers with a little of the sauté sauce used as an additional dressing.

Are you unsure whether to sauté the shrimp or not?

Both versions have their charm and are usually well received, but preference can vary depending on individual tastes and the context of the event or gathering.

The shrimp and pineapple skewer with cooked shrimp is a fresh, light option with a sweet-and-salty flavor combination. It's a popular choice at more informal events, especially in warmer seasons, for its refreshing taste.

On the other hand, sautéed shrimp can offer a firmer texture and more intense flavors, especially if prepared with a special sauce or seasonings. This option can be ideal for gatherings where something with a more gourmet touch is sought or at events where stronger flavors are preferred. Ultimately, both variants are delicious.

4) Goat cheese log skewer with sun-dried tomato

Ingredients (for each slice)

• 1 slice of bread (it can be baguette, rustic bread or your favorite)
• Goat cheese log
• Sun-dried tomatoes (previously rehydrated in oil or hot water if they are dry)
• Fresh basil leaves (optional, for garnish)
• Olive oil (optional, for drizzling)

Instructions:

1. Toast the bread slice in a toaster or oven until it is lightly golden and crispy.
2. Meanwhile, slice the goat cheese log or simply crumble it if it is softer.
3. Once the bread slice is ready, place the goat cheese slices on it, covering the entire surface.
4. Cut the hydrated sun-dried tomatoes into thin strips and place them over the goat cheese.
5. Optionally, you can add a few fresh basil leaves on top to give a touch of freshness and extra flavor.
6. If you prefer, drizzle a little olive oil over the preparation to enhance the flavors.
7. Serve your bread slice with goat cheese log and sun-dried tomatoes as an appetizer or as part of a cheese board.

This combination of flavors between the creaminess of the goat cheese, the intensity of the sun-dried tomatoes and the crunchy texture of the toasted bread creates an irresistible bite. I hope you enjoy this delicious and easy recipe!

NOTE: You can make a variant of this appetizer by replacing the sun-dried tomatoes in oil with caramelized spring onion. Another delight!

5. Salmon and zucchini rolls

Ingredients:

• 200g sliced smoked salmon
• 2 long thin zucchinis
• 100g cream cheese or soft cheese (such as goat cheese)
• Sesame seeds
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil

Preparation:

1. Cut the zucchinis into long thin strips with a vegetable peeler or mandoline.

2. Boil water in a large pot. Prepare a bowl with ice water to create an ice bath.

3. Dip the zucchini strips in the boiling water for 20-30 seconds. Then quickly remove them and place them in the ice bath to stop the cooking. This will soften the zucchini strips and make them more flexible for rolling.

4. Lay out the smoked salmon slices and spread a thin layer of cream cheese or the soft cheese you chose.

5. Place a blanched zucchini strip on each salmon slice, and roll the salmon with the zucchini. Repeat the process with the rest of the salmon slices.

6. Sprinkle sesame seeds over the rolls and add salt and pepper to taste. You can dress with a drizzle of oil.

6) Mediterranean Avocado and Shrimp Canapé

Ingredients:

• 12 round or rectangular crispbreads
• 200g cooked, peeled shrimp or prawns
• 1 ripe avocado
• Pitted black olives
• Cilantro or parsley leaves for garnish
• Lemon (optional, to squeeze over the avocado and shrimp)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the avocado cream:

• 1 ripe avocado
• Juice of 1 lime or lemon
• A handful of fresh cilantro
• 1 garlic clove

Preparation:

1. Prepare the avocado cream by blending in a blender or food processor the avocado, lime or lemon juice, fresh cilantro and garlic. Process until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

2. Toast the bread slices until crispy.

3. Spread a layer of avocado cream on each toasted bread slice.

4. Place the cooked, peeled shrimp on top of the cream.

5. Garnish each canapé with a pitted black olive in the center and some cilantro or parsley leaves to give freshness and color.

6. Optionally, squeeze a little lemon over the shrimp to enhance the flavor.

More varied and delicious appetizer recipes!

I leave you links to some posts that I hope will be of interest when you need to prepare some meal or dinner with appetizers to impress:

• Vegetable chips
• Chickpea hummus with marinated feta and roasted vegetables
• Stuffed peppers with cod
• Cheese tray recipes
• Delicious appetizers for warm weather (and all year round)
• Blinis with foie gras and caramelized apple
• Trempó flatbread
• Tartlets with sobrasada, cheeses and grapes with Pedro Ximénez sauce
• Appetizers to fall in love with
• Roasted eggplants with mató
• Goat cheese and caramelized balsamic onion tartlets