|
Finger food- Easy, Mini Delicacies.
Finger Food is fun, neat and easy to eat. No mess or fuss entertainment in modern times is top priority for hosts and hostesses. These mini delicacies can be in the form of Hors d' oeuvres or appetizers which are bite sized piece of well flavoured food served to guests before meals. These lovely foods can be salty or sweet as well as fresh, cooked, fried or baked. The main purpose of appetizers is to stimulate the appetite and fill the guest just enough not to get over-hungry if there is extended time period between arrival of guests and meal service. Finger food can however also be served on its own with no meal afterward. Often people make the mistake of assuming that the French where the first to serve starters, it was however the Persians who started the tradition of serving appetisers before meals during the 18th Century.
According to food writer M.F.K Fisher appetizers are "(I)t is the overture to the opera. As such, its variety is infinite dictated of course, by the seasons as well as the regions where the food is eaten."
Hors d' oeuvre is a little more formal than conventional finger food or appetizers as its served at a table with prescribed utensils, as part of a sit-down banquette and the menu excludes combinations of cheese, crudites and fruit. Strictly individual items. The hors d' oeuvres can either be stationary or passed with waiters serving the appetisers. Both frozen and fresh items are served. However fresh, handmade items are preferred. Examples of Hors d' oeuvre's are Canapés, Deviled Eggs, Cheese, Sausages, cold cuts, dumplings.
Another more substantial starter falling outside the category of finger food and Hors d' Oeuvres is an entrée, so please do not confuse the different appetite stimulating foods served before meals. Entrée's are rather served as entry to several Western-style formal courses but may also fall within appetizer category dependant on size and ingredients. Entrée's have French origin in 15th Century.
The popularity of finger foods have grown significantly as a result of the invention of the sandwich centuries ago as well as fast food restaurants. Caterers have become so innovate in terms of finger food design and creation in that almost any normal sized food or snack can be turned into beautiful and delicious finger food creations by a mere change to portion size. Its also more cost effective and neater than other catering options. Guests love nibbling on these very tasty, eat-with-hands food. No need for fancy plates and utensils the only out-of-the-ordinary piece you would have to invest in is a finger bowl if you plan on hosting formal teas. Gone are the days of 14 course meals with hours of preparation, guest preference research and high catering bills.
A very important aspect of finger food is the aesthetically of dish. Guests are very fussy creatures and will not even look twice at anything that does not appear appetising, no matter the high quality ingredients used or how delicious the food is under all the chaos.
Finger foods are increasing in demand for events such as birthdays, weddings, engagement parties and other celebrations. Especially in terms of weddings popularity has sky rocketed as it offers couples flexibility to cater for all guests tastes as well as being fantastic value on those tight wedding budgets. Even wedding cakes have gone from tiers to cups. Cupcakes also falling within the finger food category is currently rated best choice in wedding cakes. Brides love the individual pieces of wedding themed art decking the matching wedding tables.
These snacks have evolved with modern times and now even Vegetarian, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Japanese speciality finger foods are dished up on request of clients. Vegetarian finger foods are cheese sticks, veggie sticks, spring rolls and baguettes. Italian finger food referred to as Antipaso are cheeses, marinated veggies and cold cuts and Spanish finger foods also known as Tapas consist of spicy meat cuts. Russian "Zakuski" is served with vodka and the menu consists mainly of fish, pickled vegetables, garlic, caviar and bread. The Japanes variation called "Zansai" is mainly fish cut mini bites.
Exquisite sweet things ranging from choc fingers, chocolate covered raisins, custard slices, fruit tartlets, baklava's and mini Swiss rolls and much more are available to pick and choose from. Dieters can feel less guilty as all dishes are in small quantities with fresh foods in the form of fruits and vegetables also included on the menu.
Another wonderful advantage to serving finger food is that after party-cleaning is super fast. Just a couple of platter plates with most probably no left over's on it to wash. No heavy cleaning and washing plates and utensils.
|
