Five Interesting Snacking Plates That Aren't Everywhere
No overdone cheese boards allowed
I cannot do this the rest of my life.
A friend and I were catching up when she uttered this statement to me in regards to the daily grind of cooking. It resonated with me not because I feel it, but because many people I love do. I’m not here to convert the skeptics or the kitchen-avoidant. I know I won’t convince someone who truly dislikes cooking to suddenly fall in love with it. But for those who are simply tired, I can offer a middle ground: dishes that take less time then your daily doom scroll and are far more beautiful.
I am as guilty of culinary lethargy as the next. Especially when I am greeted with an ingredient list as long as a Princess Diana’s veil. It turns me off before the oven is even preheated. All this to say, I get it. While there are dishes that require a necessary ingredient list, there are many that can be drastically simplified.
Whether it’s a sudden sunny happy hour or a dinner party where a dessert that requires a whisk and an oven feels too daunting, I always return to these ‘non-recipes’ for the moments when I desire something beautiful, effortless, and entirely assembled.
A few necessities to equip your pantry with:
Bars of chocolate (they can easily be kept in the fridge/freezer to prolong their shelf-life)
Fruit, it is healthy, versatile and no matter what it is, slices of fruit always, always, receive a wow when you present the plate.
Cheeses (hard and soft)
Marscapone or creme fraiche (or even sour cream)
Microwave popcorn, I prefer the natural popcorn so I can add butter and seasonings myself
Extra-virgin olive oil
Nuts
Onions
Herbs
Flaky Sea Salt, Maldon preferred
Chocolate & Fruit
An elegant dessert option that does not get simpler. Break off a few chunks of a good quality chocolate bar, slice whatever fruit is lying around, arrange across your favorite plate and you have a convivial aperitif to keep the conversation flowing.
Strawberries & Cream
A plate of glimmering strawberries neighbored with a bowl of freshly whipped cream (simply whip together 1 cup of cream, 2 teaspoons confectionary or granulated sugar and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract) or a few spoonfuls of room temperature mascarpone finished with torn basil is one of the oldest combinations in the book but often not given enough attention.
Brown Sugar & Chili Popcorn
Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a bowl. Then cook a bag of microwave popcorn according to the directions on the bag. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon chili powder and 1 heaping tablespoon brown sugar into the melted butter to create a sauce. Once the popcorn is done, pour it into your favorite bowl and drizzle the buttery mixture over. Voila, a snacking or cocktail hour moment that instantly brings a smile.
Brûléed Grapefruit with Marscapone and Pistachios
Slice a grapefruit in half and sprinkle a good couple teaspoons of granulated sugar across the top. Place them sliced side up on a baking sheet. Turn the broiler on and slide in the sheet. Watch carefully as they turn to a shimmering gold. This is the signal to remove them and turn that broiler off. Finish with a dollop of marscapone or creme fraiche and chopped pistachios (or walnuts or almonds).
Nectarines with Dates, Onion, Manchengo
Thinly slice a few nectaries (this can also be plums, apples, peaches, apricots), half a white onion and arrange on your plate of choice. You can stop there and finish with a drizzle of olive oil and sea salt. Or continue with roughly chopped dates, celery, and shaves of manchengo.
Much more to come,
Thank you, truly, for being here.
Until the next measure,
Kelly