Whether preparing for a family gathering, or a lavish corporate event, having a few elegant, flavorful dishes on hand is a must. One of the great things about these types of events is the opportunity to socialize with other guests. Choosing dishes that require toothpicks or skewers allow guests to enjoy great food while still easily moving around. These small bite appetizer dishes from Chef Eric Levine are a great option for these kind of events.
Buttermilk Cupcake with Pea Hummus and Marinated Prosciutto
The rich, incredible flavor of this dish an ideal choice for those with a more discerning palate. The buttermilk cupcake component, with a sweet pea hummus and the addition of marinated prosciutto creates a unique blend of sweet and savory. The intense flavor comes from the red pepper flakes and basil added to the dish. Serve these with custom colored beaded toothpicks, or for a plainer look try a natural ball skewer.
Smoked Salmon Belly-Rice Pop with Cucumber Dip
The only thing better than the fresh sushi on these pops is the depth of flavor in the cucumber dip that's easily made by combining English cucumber, lemon juice, Greek yogurt, and a touch of bright mint flavor. The combination of this dip with smoked salmon belly and sushi rice is sure to be a hit at your next party or event. These delicious bites can be served with rustic bamboo skewers, pictured above. To add to the elegance of this dish, use knotted bamboo picks to keep everything perfectly intact.
Grilled Bacon Wrapped Chicken with Mustard Aioli
Give your guests something comforting and familiar and with a touch of elegance with this recipe. The bacon aioli, which is a combination of mayo, chopped garlic, lemon juice and bacon strips creates a hearty, rich flavor. The chicken bites are easily prepared with a mustard powder and panko coating and fried on a cooktop. Simple to make, they are even easier to serve. These pieces are slightly heavy, making the double prong bamboo skewers pictured above a great choice to keep them together. Another good option would be boat oar skewers.
Grilled Pork Slab Skewered with Roasted Jalapeno & Bacon-braised Brussels Sprouts
Even for those who may not normally enjoy brussels sprouts, this recipe is sure to be a hit. Start with an incredible pork slab covered in honey, olive oil, red pepper and cracked black pepper and throw it on the grill for an unmistakable smoke flavor. The roasted jalapenos and bacon-braised brussels sprouts take this meal-in-a-bite to a whole new level. Using square bamboo skewers will hold this hearty, heavy bite in place during prep and enjoyment. You can also use simple wooden bamboo picks for a simpler design.
Fig, Roquefort and Grape Truffles
Finish off the meal with this fantastic bite. The sweet taste of the fig is the perfect complement the salty cheese. To prepare, mix cream cheese, Roquefort cheese, goat cheese and figs together. Drizzle honey over the top to for an added level of decadence. Serve these small bite appetizers with paddle picks or skewers to give users a sturdy pick to hold onto as this dish melts in their mouth.
Skewers and picks compliment any type dish or event allowing texture, presentation, and flavor to come together to create the perfect bite. Picks and skewers allow your guests to socialize while still being able to enjoy great flavor filled dishes. For more tips on how to present your appetizers well, read our blog post on 7 tips for professional appetizer presentation!
Award-winning Chef Eric Levine, has a new cookbook, Small Bites, Big Flavor, filled with fun and unconventional recipes for entertaining friends, family, and guests year-round. It's a great resource for when you're thinking about your next event and what to serve with skewers. Chef Eric uses our bamboo picks and skewers in many of his recipes. These beautifully detailed shots will show you how to add flare to your own culinary creations with Pick On Us products!