Building the Perfect Canapé

Canapés can be hot or cold. Even without a recipe, you can build a great canapé following a few simple steps.

Step One - Choose Your Base

Tightly crumbed breads like rye or black bread make the perfect base for canapés, because they will hold up well under the pressure of ingredients. You can toast the bread for further structure. Many grocery stores sell crunchy, pre-toasted bread rounds that make the perfect base for a canapé. Crackers work well, too. If you are using bread, cut it into the size and shape you want, keeping in mind that a canapé should be no more than two bites.

Step Two - Add Flavor

Jazz up your canapé before you top it by spreading on a flavored compound butter. Compound butters are simple to make. Mix finely minced herbs, garlic, cheeses or other ingredients into softened, unsalted butter and allow to sit overnight to allow flavors to blend. Spread a thin layer over your base. You can also brush your bread with melted garlic butter and toast it in the oven. Some compound butters to try include: •Garlic butter •Dijon butter •Maytag bleu cheese butter

Step Three - Toppings

With compound butters, you can add a simple topping to make the perfect canapé. Top your bread and butter with flavorful foods like roasted peppers, smoked salmon and dill, caviar, or tomato and basil, or shrimp.

Creative Canapés

Whether you use a recipe or go off the map and create your own, you can liven up your next gathering by passing around a tray of beautifully presented, creative canapés. You are limited only by your imagination.

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