Appetiser Inspo: 6 pre-meal bites to keep your Xmas guests happy! 😺
If you’re anything like me, you simply cannot go to a restaurant without treating yourself to a tasty starter of any kind. But have you ever wondered why it is that we enjoy eating appetisers as a mini snack before diving into the main meal? 🤔
As it turns out, serving appetisers has been a popular practice in nearly all cultures - and for a long time too. Historians believe that the idea of eating something small before a large meal evolved quite naturally after the end of the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. Appetisers are supposed to prepare our bodies for the experience of eating, while also lightening the mood at a party or dinner full of impatient, hungry guests. 😂
To celebrate all the goodness that are appetisers, I’ll be sharing my absolute favourite pre-meal bites I love to order when out or make at home for my guests. 💖
Bruschetta
You can’t be from Malta, a place that’s so close to Italy, and fail to mention the divine bruschetta first on this list of amazing appetisers. Crispy, toasted bread. Chopped cherry tomatoes. A hint of garlic. Fresh, herby basil leaves. A drizzle of olive oil to bring all the flavours to life. What more could you possibly want? 🥖
Cranberry Goat Cheese Bites
This one is a perfect party starter for the colder months, while also bringing in a favourite among cheese lovers in Malta. Their base usually consists of a vol-au-vent or canapé, which is then stuffed with some fresh goat cheese and a tad of cranberry sauce on top. I like these the most when the goat cheese is still cold from the fridge, and the sauce is still warm. The contrast in temperatures - and in flavour - makes this one a must-have during the holiday season. 🧀
Perfect Prawn Cocktail
Because something so delicious shouldn’t be enjoyed at weddings only. I particularly like to have these with what is known as Marie Rose sauce, a mouthwatering condiment made from a blend of ketchup, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt and black pepper. When added with a small slice of lemon and tiny chunks of avocado, as well as the fresh prawn, this starter is simply to die for. 🦐
Figs with Bacon and Chile
This appetiser is very much praised by Bon Appétit Magazine. Halved fresh figs are placed on a plate. Bacon rashers cut in small pieces and cooked well, before being placed on top of the figs. A simple sauce of maple syrup, red wine vinegar and crushed red pepper flakes is drizzled on top, making for a succulent, sticky and sweet starter. If you can’t find fresh figs, pitted dates are just as delish! 🥓
Stuffed Olives and Feta
I love this starter because it’s simple, fresh and full of all that good Mediterranean flavour. When I prepare this plate, I marinate my stuffed olives in a mixture of olive oil, salt, pepper and crushed red chili flakes. I then add some feta cheese and cut basil leaves. I mix them all together and present the dish with fresh bread on the side. Yes, it’s that easy. 🫒
Fresh Lampuki with Charred Sweet Corn
If you’ve never tried this one, waste no more time on any other appetiser. This tasty dish contains a mixture of bite-sized cuts of lampuki, charred sweet corn, avocado and grilled red peppers. It is topped with lime juice, olive oil, cilantro, salt and pepper. Yum! 🤤
We hope we didn’t make you too hungry! Check us out on FoodBlog Malta and tag away in your food stories! We’d love to see them! 👋
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