Five Christmas Canapés You Can Prepare in Advance

Solve your Christmas appetizer with easy-to-make, delicious canapés. These include anchovy and cheese biscuits, smoked salmon rolls with cheese and avocado, savory muffins, vol-au-vents, and pesto and sun-dried tomato spirals. They are the perfect bite-sized treats to enjoy before the main event.

Smoked Salmon Rolls with Cheese and Avocado

Smoked salmon rolls are a classic canapé. They’re versatile, and you can fill them with fresh, crunchy ingredients. Plus, they can be frozen well in advance. Try experimenting with smoked trout instead of salmon or adding a layer of crepes for an extra twist.

Ingredients:

• 250g cream cheese
• 1 cucumber
• 1 avocado
• 400g smoked salmon slices
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh dill
• Small round crackers (optional)

Instructions:

1. Chop the dill and mix it with the cream cheese and lime juice.
2. Wash the cucumber and slice it into thin strips. Dice the avocado.
3. Lay the smoked salmon slices overlapping on a sushi mat or plastic wrap to form a long, narrow rectangle.
4. Spread a thin layer of the seasoned cream cheese on the salmon.
5. Place the cucumber strips and avocado cubes in the center of the cream cheese.
6. Use the mat or plastic wrap to tightly roll the salmon into a cylinder.
7. Wrap it in plastic wrap and freeze it (for extra support, place the roll on a halved cardboard tube).
8. To serve, refrigerate for at least 12 hours before cutting into 2.5 cm slices. Allow the rolls to come to room temperature before serving. Optionally, serve on top of crackers for added stability.

Cheese and Potato Muffins

Mini savory tarts are always a hit. These cheese and potato muffins are versatile and can be customized with various flavors. You can reheat them in the oven or air fryer to bring them back to life before serving.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg potatoes
• 200g aged cured cheese (gluten-free)
• 150g cured ham (gluten-free)
• 50ml heavy cream (minimum 35% fat)
• 2 eggs
• 40g butter
• Salt and pepper (optional)
• Bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Peel and coarsely grate the potatoes. Place them in a colander with a pinch of salt and let them sit for 30 minutes to release excess liquid. Drain and squeeze out the liquid.
3. Grate the cheese and finely chop the ham.
4. Mix the ham with the cream and half of the grated cheese. Add the grated and drained potatoes, eggs, and lightly season with salt and pepper.
5. Fill muffin molds (greased and dusted with breadcrumbs) with the mixture, just to the top. Place a small piece of butter on each muffin and sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
6. Bake for 30-35 minutes at 180°C (350°F) in the lower third of the oven.
7. Let the muffins cool, then store them in the fridge. Reheat in the oven or air fryer before serving.

Anchovy and Cheese Biscuits

Homemade savory biscuits are perfect for Christmas and can be stored in a tin. These anchovy and cheese biscuits pair beautifully with dry, aromatic wines.

Ingredients:

• 150g all-purpose flour (white or whole wheat)
• 140g cold butter
• 40g aged cured cheese, grated
• 2 tablespoons cold water
• 7 large anchovy fillets
• Poppy seeds

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine the flour and cold butter. Rub the butter into the flour with your fingers until it resembles coarse crumbs.
2. Add the grated cheese and mix.
3. Add the cold water and mix until the dough comes together.
4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface, add the drained and chopped anchovies, and mix by hand.
5. Divide the dough into two portions and shape each into a cylinder about 4cm in diameter.
6. Roll the cylinders in poppy seeds to coat them evenly.
7. Wrap the cylinders in plastic wrap (using a cardboard tube for shape) and freeze for at least 1 hour.
8. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
9. Slice the dough into 5mm thick rounds and place on a baking sheet.
10. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden. Cool on a wire rack for extra crispiness.

Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Swirls

Store-bought puff pastry makes these savory pesto swirls quick and easy to prepare. Freeze the filled rolls in advance and bake them fresh when needed.

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry (rectangular)
• 240g cream cheese
• 4-5 tablespoons pesto
• 50g provolone cheese, grated
• 5-6 sun-dried tomatoes in oil
• 50g green olives, pitted
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the pesto with the cream cheese in a bowl.
2. Chop the sun-dried tomatoes and olives. Add them to the pesto and cream cheese mixture.
3. Spread this mixture over the puff pastry, leaving about 2 cm at one end.
4. Roll the pastry up tightly and seal the open end with water.
5. Freeze the roll (using a cardboard tube to keep the roll rounded).
6. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
7. Slice the frozen roll into 16 pieces.
8. Place them on a lined baking sheet, sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper, and bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown.

Vol-au-Vents with Bacalao Brandada

Ready-made vol-au-vents can be filled with a variety of fillings. Bacalao (salted cod) brandada is a classic, and you can prepare it in advance.

Ingredients:

• 350g salted cod
• 3 garlic cloves
• Pinch of salt
• 40ml warm milk
• 250ml extra virgin olive oil (mild flavor)
• A handful of black olives (optional)
• 24 medium-sized vol-au-vents

Instructions:

1. Prepare the bacalao brandada following your favorite recipe.
2. If desired, chop the olives and mix them into the brandada.
3. Transfer the brandada to a piping bag and refrigerate until the day of serving.
4. Just before serving, pipe the brandada into the vol-au-vents. Optionally, garnish with an olive slice.
5. Let them come to room temperature before serving.

These recipes allow you to enjoy a stress-free holiday by preparing your appetizers in advance. Your guests will be delighted with these festive and flavorful canapés!