HORS D’OEUVRES (Passed or Stationed Small Bites)
- Grape Expectations
Goat Cheese-Stuffed Grapes Rolled in Pistachios
Ingredients:
- 1 cup seedless red grapes
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pistachios
Instructions:
- Wash and dry grapes.
- With clean hands, press a small dollop of goat cheese around each grape.
- Roll each in chopped pistachios until fully coated.
- Chill for 30 minutes before serving.
Presentation: Arrange in concentric circles on a slate tray, alternating with fresh herbs (like thyme sprigs) for garnish.
- Brie Kisses
Mini Phyllo Cups with Warm Brie and Fig Jam
Ingredients:
- 1 package mini phyllo shells
- 4 oz Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- 1/3 cup fig jam
- Optional: chopped walnuts or rosemary
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Place phyllo shells on a baking sheet.
- Fill each shell with a cube of Brie and 1/2 tsp fig jam.
- Bake for 8 minutes or until cheese is melted.
- Sprinkle with chopped walnuts or rosemary if desired.
Presentation: Serve on a wooden cheeseboard in rows with dried fig halves and rosemary sprigs tucked between.
- Savory Rosettes
Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Balsamic Drizzle
Ingredients:
- 24 thin asparagus spears, trimmed
- 12 slices prosciutto, halved lengthwise
- Olive oil
- Balsamic glaze
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Wrap one prosciutto strip around each asparagus spear.
- Place on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil.
- Bake for 12–15 minutes, until crisp.
- Drizzle with balsamic glaze before serving.
Presentation: Lay in overlapping circles on a white porcelain tray with lemon zest curls as accent.
MAIN COURSE (Elegant, Light Main Options)
- The Vineyard Flatbread
Caramelized Onion, Pear, Blue Cheese, and Arugula Flatbread
Ingredients:
- 2 flatbreads or naan
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 1 pear, thinly sliced
- 1/3 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1 cup arugula
- Optional: honey drizzle
Instructions:
- In a pan, sauté onions in olive oil over low heat for 20 minutes until caramelized.
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Place flatbreads on a baking sheet. Top with caramelized onions, pear slices, and blue cheese.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Top with fresh arugula and a drizzle of honey before slicing.
Presentation: Cut into squares and stack staggered on a wood board, garnished with edible flowers or microgreens.
- Cabernet Chicken Bites
Mini Chicken Skewers with Wine Reduction Glaze
Ingredients:
- 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup cabernet sauvignon
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tsp cornstarch
Instructions:
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Skewer onto small picks.
- Grill or sauté until cooked through.
- In a saucepan, combine wine, honey, and vinegar. Simmer until reduced by half.
- Mix cornstarch with 2 tsp water, stir into sauce. Simmer until thickened.
- Brush glaze over chicken just before serving.
Presentation: Serve skewers upright in a glass filled with lentils or beans to anchor them. Place in the center of a cheese board.
DESSERTS / SWEETS
- Port-Poached Pear Cups
Mini Pear Compote with Mascarpone Cream
Ingredients:
- 2 pears, peeled, cored, and diced
- 1 cup port wine
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1 cup mascarpone
- 2 tbsp powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions:
- Simmer pears in port, sugar, and cinnamon for 20 minutes until soft. Let cool.
- In a bowl, mix mascarpone, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
- Spoon mascarpone into mini dessert glasses or tart shells. Top with pear compote.
Presentation: Arrange mini glasses in a circle on a mirrored tray with wine corks scattered around.
- Dark Desire Bites
Red Wine Dark Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients:
- 8 oz dark chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp red wine (Cabernet or Merlot)
- Cocoa powder for rolling
Instructions:
- Heat cream until just simmering. Pour over chocolate and let sit 2 minutes.
- Stir until smooth. Add red wine and mix well.
- Chill mixture for 1 hour.
- Scoop into small balls and roll in cocoa powder.
Presentation: Serve in gold foil cups on a tiered tray or marble board with wine glasses as anchors.