6 Appetizers And Light Starters For The Holidays

Some posts ago I made a summary of what a good family banquet for these holidays is. This time I want to expand the initial part of our agape a bit: the starters, appetizers and canapes.

Starters for Christmas lunches and dinners

I always prefer foods in small portions and that do not fill up too much because what we want is to whet the appetite, not to bloat only with the starters and then not be able to with the rest of the dishes. That is why the ideas that I give you go along that line, appetizers and light starters that welcome the rest of the meal.

1. Pickles

Pickles, olives, aubergines, onions, etc. We can buy them a few days before and modify the flavor by adding other vinegars and other spices.

For example, we could mix olives of various types (chamomile, black, Kalamata) with their broth and add a couple of garlic cloves, a few sprigs of rosemary, a couple of cloves and a few pepper balls. If they rest in them for 24 hours, it shows.

2. Vegetable chips

We can buy them bagged or make them at home. There are banana, yucca, mixed potato, sweet potato, beet and parsnip, etc. At home we can make them just like we would make some potato chips, either baked or in olive oil.

Remember that kale or kale is also very crispy when baked. Try not to go overboard, give them just the right touch.

3. Legumes

There are legumes that are spectacular as starters and appetizers. For example, cooked chickpeas that we mix with spices and make in the oven on a tray, well spread, so that they are crunchy.

Also are good choice of edamame, now found even in supermarkets. Simply grill them with a pinch of oil and some sesame seeds, until golden brown, and add the salt at the end.

Of course also roasted or roasted peanuts and broad beans (dried fruits).

4. Vegetable patés

Also with legumes we make vegetable patés as good as hummus that you only have to serve with crunchy breads so that everyone can put whatever they want, or spread on toast and serve with a pinch of olive oil and paprika on top.

5. Canapes

You don’t have to complicate your life to make spectacular canapes. Choose as a base different whole grain breads and seeds, for an extra color and texture, and as a creamy part you will always be right with vegetable patés, whether they are homemade or purchased.

Finish your work with caramelised onion or leek, fresh herb leaves, lemon or lime wedges and a mild spice.

If you want to innovate in ingredients but with the flavors of a lifetime, try one of the vegetable varieties sold in vegan stores : vegan prawns, vegan tuna, etc. You need very little quantity to make spectacular canapes and entrees that attract attention and encourage even the most reluctant to try them.

6. Croquettes

You can prepare croquettes with vegetable fillings such as grilled mushrooms (well minced), broccoli, mushrooms or a variety of vegetables. For the bechamel you only have to use a vegetable drink that you want (unsweetened and without flavors) and for the batter of chickpea flour with water and a pinch of vinegar.