I am so glad the "Super Size" fad has gone on its merry way. Like we Americans need more of anything, especially food. Small is the Wave of the Future. People get all goofballs over mini things. Just look at how many people have those ultra-tiny, yappy dogs. Chickens have bigger legs than those little dogs. Cell phones are super small. Then again, I have man-hands, so they seem very small to me. And how about those little humans they call babies? People love 'em. They keep having oodles and oodles of them, and everyone gets so excited over the "Little Man" or "Mini Mama". I am all about little. Little Food, that is. I adore doing appetizer parties, and people go nuts over mini re-creations of their favorite snacks, fast food, comfort food, and desserts. Just about any food can be minimized with great success. Not all recipes were made to be multiplied, and some dishes don't come out quite right when made for the masses. That is why appetizers, or hor's d'oeuvres if you like, are just so perfect for parties and gatherings. They don't have to be fussy, yet they can be. They don't have to be difficult, but they can also be intricate enough to cause chefs to lose their meatballs. My parents went to a wedding in New York, and came back with pictures of the food for me. Yes, they know their daughter very well. Anyhow, my dad was mesmerized by the "Mini Hamburgers" that they served. Sliders, these were not. They were actual hamburgers, with mini buns, mini tomato slices, baby squares of cheese, and of course, the meat patties that were the size of silver dollars. Guests caught their breath, cooed, and had to stop themselves from pinching the little burgers. They were little miracles.
Small is just as much work as big. If not more. Mini Filet Mignon? Not on my menu. Steak Au Poivre Crostini? You bet. Same cut of meat, yet made differently, and more to my liking. I've seen these mini filet in magazines and books, and while they are very cool, they would give me the shakes, and I already have too many sleepless nights just doing the little catering gigs that we do. I like to keep it simple. Think of your favorite dish, and then picture it small. Cute, huh? Right now, I am thinking of my favorite summer dishes and picturing them as appetizers. Grilled Pizzas. Caprese Salad (Small bamboo skewers of grape tomato, fresh mozzarella and basil that have been marinated). German Potato Salad (Potato Chunk, piece of Bacon, bite of onion, that were all cooked in the German potato salad manner, then stacked) Pasta Salad (Cheese Tortellini, Kalamata olive and tomato, skewered). Burgers (See above, but make the meat patties with lamb, pork, buffalo, beef, or whatever is your fancy. So many dishes, so many possibilities.
Don't get me started on desserts. I just made my husband some Phyllo Cannoli. I made them normal dessert size, but then I realized I could make mini phyllo cups and pipe the cannoli filling into them. Dust with crushed pistachios and, Voila! Mini Cannoli. Without frying dough! My kinda dessert. I know it's been done before, no news there, but it was fun just twisting things around to make them work for me. Hand held, two bite options are the way to go. People move too fast, and they need convenience now more than ever. I cannot tell you how many parties we have coming up that are all "Grab and Go" appetizers and desserts. Even (gasp!) Weddings. No sit-down, be-served parties for these youngsters. One of the weddings doesn't even have seating! The bride wants everyone to "have" to mingle. Appetizers for savory food, and Mini Wedding Cakes for everyone to take home! (*Shakes and Sleepless nights begin*) Yikes. But the food will be so cute you'll just want to pinch it. Coo.
J~
Pics and recipes of Appetizers to come very soon.....Tasting Party March 26th. Fun Stuff to post! J~
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