Basic yet dynamic canapes to enliven your summertime hosting

When the sun is shining and you have a glass of fizz in hand, there’s no time at all to pick up a full-on, sit-down meal.

We much choose something pretty to munch on while we natter away the warm hours in the garden. Why not offer these exceptionally basic dishes a go.

Here, OK! show you the tastiest, bite-sized canapes that will wow your visitors for any unique celebration this summertime. They look so elegant you’ll deceive visitors into believing you’ve invested hours prepping, however in truth they’re really simple and extremely fast to produce even the most amateur of chefs.

Crayfish mixed drink blinis

Smothered with beautiful fresh flavours, these small pieces are completely delicious

Serves 12 – 15

Active ingredients

• Store-bought blinis
• 75g sour cream
• Fresh chives, sliced
• Cucumber, diced
• A pack of fresh crayfish
• Caviar
• Fresh dill

Technique

1. Set out 15 blinis enabling lots of area to pack them with garnishes.
2. In a little bowl, blend the sour cream with sliced chives– some diced cucumber works well in here too– and reserved.
3. Guarantee the crayfish pieces are cut into little pieces to make bite-sized parts.
4. Thoroughly layer on a few of the sour cream topping, developing a little peak on each blini, then include a number of pieces of crayfish to one side.
5. Carefully spoon on a small quantity of caviar, including a pop of salted flavour, prior to completing with a sprig of fresh dill for colour and aroma.

Idea: Prawns, which may be quicker offered to purchase in-store, make an outstanding option to crayfish.

Smoked salmon on rye

These canapés are salted, smoky and velvety– perfect with a glass of something crisp and white

Serves 12 -25

Components

• Dark rye bread
• 200g cream cheese
• 150g smoked salmon
• Fresh cucumber, cut into ribbons
• Fresh dill
• Fresh black pepper

Technique

1. Pick a dark rye bread, ideally with sunflower seeds for crunch, and cut into little triangles. Leave some bigger pieces for hungrier visitors.
2. Gently toast then spread out kindly with cream cheese.
3. Cut the smoked salmon into strips and carefully fold them loosely on top of the cheese.
4. Garnish with ribbons of fresh cucumber, fresh dill, which is specifically tasty and in season now, and a grinding of fresh black pepper.

Pointer: Attempt ribbons of sweet carrot rather of smoked salmon to produce a comparable, however vegetarian, colour combination.

Fig, goat’s cheese and honey crackers

These little appeals melt in the mouth and set magnificently with a glass of something carbonated

Serves 8 – 12

Active ingredients

• Seeded crackers
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 150g soft goat’s cheese
• 8-10 figs
• Smooth honey
• Fresh mint leaves

Approach

1. Lay ou