Christmas canapés are not just an appetizer but a true canvas to express your culinary creativity. The possibilities are endless: whether you prefer classic and refined flavors like smoked salmon and fresh cheese, or want to dare with more original and gourmet combinations like mushroom creams and taleggio or vegetable pâtés enriched with spices. We will guide you through a range of ideas for Christmas canapés designed to satisfy every palate and need. The preparation is a breeze, and the result will be a tray of Christmas appetizers as beautiful to look at as they are delicious to taste. Each suggestion will help you create quick Christmas appetizers that not only delight the palate but also add a touch of elegance and festivity to your table. Prepare the ingredients; it’s time to shape your culinary dreams with these irresistible holiday canapés!
If you’re looking for other Christmas appetizers, don’t miss:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Very Cheap
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 18 Pieces
- Cooking methods: No Cooking
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: New Year's, Christmas
- Energy 148.75 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 7.60 (g) of which sugars 0.67 (g)
- Proteins 6.97 (g)
- Fat 10.05 (g) of which saturated 1.59 (g)of which unsaturated 2.40 (g)
- Fibers 0.71 (g)
- Sodium 304.06 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 30 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients for Christmas Canapés
- 12 bread crostini
- 1 cup cup spreadable fresh cheese
- 1.75 oz oz smoked salmon
- 3.5 oz oz tuna
- 3 walnuts
- 3.5 oz oz mayonnaise
- 1 oz oz salami
- 1 oz oz cheddar
- to taste valerian (lamb's lettuce)
- 1 tsp tomato paste
- to taste dried parsley
How to Make Christmas Canapés
Making Christmas canapés can also be a way to involve children in the kitchen. First, take care of the fillings. I got special bread for canapés, if you can’t find it, sandwich bread or sliced bread is fine. I propose the versions I created, but feel free to get creative and create thousands of delicious combinations: keep reading the recipe for all the ideas for your creative versions (even gourmet).
To prepare the Christmas canapés with salmon, spread 1 cup of spreadable fresh cheese (you can use your favorite, salmon-flavored is also fine) on the bread, place the smoked salmon on the cheese, and finish with dried parsley (or chives or dill).
To prepare the Christmas canapés with tuna and tomato mousse, first prepare the mousse: in a bowl, put the well-drained tuna, add the spreadable fresh cheese (3.5 oz), and the tomato paste. Mix everything together vigorously, spread on the bread, and finish with a walnut (or your favorite nut).
To prepare the Christmas canapés with salami, spread mayonnaise on the bread and finish with a slice of salami and dried parsley.
Finally, to prepare the Christmas canapés with cheese, place the cheddar (or a slice of your favorite cheese) on the bread, add a dollop of mayonnaise, and finish with well-cleaned and dried valerian.
Arrange your holiday canapés on a cutting board and serve. Bon appétit!
Storage
You can prepare the fillings for your crostini in advance but be careful: it depends on the filling! Pâté or thick cream-based fillings can be prepared even the day before and assembled just before serving. If you plan to use fresh ingredients (like chopped vegetables, salmon, light creams), it’s best to assemble the holiday canapés no more than 1-2 hours before to avoid the bread becoming too soft. It is not recommended to keep filled Christmas canapés for more than 1 day, especially if they contain fish, fresh cheeses, or mayonnaise. If there are leftovers, cover them with plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator, but consume them as soon as possible.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Besides the proposals, what can I use?
Here are some gourmet suggestions:
– Gorgonzola and Walnut Cream (or Caramelized Pears): a rich and flavorful combination.
– Flavored Hummus (with Smoked Paprika or Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto): a versatile vegetarian base.
– Pumpkin and Rosemary Cream (or Crispy Guanciale): perfect autumn/winter flavors.
– Burrata (or Stracciatella) and Pistachio Pesto (or Confit Cherry Tomatoes): a touch of creaminess and color.
– Mortadella and Pistachio Mousse: a sophisticated and tasty combination.For a light dinner, what can I use?
Here are some veg proposals:
– Chickpea and Rosemary Cream with Pomegranate: Christmas colors and flavors, for a vegan touch.
– Sautéed Mushrooms and Parsley: a warm and comforting classic.
– Avocado and Sun-Dried Tomatoes (or Black Sesame Seeds): fresh and colorful.
– Artichoke and Parmesan Cream (or Pistachio Crumble): a bold and enveloping flavor.What is the best base for canapés?
For Christmas canapés, you can use different bases: classic slices of sandwich bread (pan carrè) without crust, small slices of toasted baguette (great for Christmas crostini), or crackers or rice cakes for gluten-free options. The choice depends on the texture and flavor you prefer.
How to prevent the bread from drying out too quickly?
If you prepare the Christmas canapés in advance, gently cover them with plastic wrap after filling, to prevent the bread from drying out. Serving them on a covered tray until the last moment helps keep them fresh.
What drinks pair well with Christmas canapés?
With Christmas canapés, a good prosecco or a brut sparkling wine pairs perfectly, as well as a fresh and aromatic white wine, or even a fruity and sparkling non-alcoholic cocktail.
