Canapé

The name comes from the French word for sofa,[1] drawing on the analogy that the garnish sits atop the bread as people do on a couch.[2]

Wild salmon canape

Because they are often served during cocktail hours, it is often desired that a canapé be either salty or spicy, in order to encourage guests to drink more.

A canapé may also be referred to as finger food, although not all finger foods are canapés. Crackers or small slices of bread or toast or puff pastry are cut into various shapes, used as the base for savory butters or pastes, and often topped with other savory foods such as meat, cheese, fish, caviar, foie gras, purées or relish.

Traditionally, canapés are built on stale bread (although other foods such as puff pastry, crackers, or fresh vegetables may be used as a base) cut in thin slices and then shaped with a cutter or knife into circles, rings, squares, strips or triangles. These are then deep fried, sautéed, or toasted, then topped or piped with highly processed and decoratively applied items. Colorful and eye-pleasing garnishes often complete the presentation.

The canapés are usually served on a canapé salver and eaten from small canapé plates.

The composition of a canapé consists of a base (e.g., the bread or pancake), a spread, a main item, and a garnish.

The spread is traditionally either a compound butter, made by creaming butter with other ingredients such as ham or lobster, or a flavored cream cheese. Mayonnaise salads can also be prepared as spreads.

Common garnishes can range from finely chopped vegetables, scallions, and herbs to caviar or truffle oil.

According to Lowney's Cook Book (1912):

"Canapés are made from white, graham, and brown bread, sliced very thin and cut in various shapes. They may be dipped in melted butter, toasted or fried."

They could be served hot or cold, spread with anchovy, crab or caviar paste, served with garnishes like green and red peppers, paprika, and lemon juice.

Bread triangles can be sauteed in bacon fat, deep fried, or just buttered and browned in the oven.

Mustard can be use as a spread for canapés garnished with chopped bacon, grated cheese, or chopped olives.[3]

Example menus & dishes for Canapés can be found below. These are prepared by a selection of private Chefs. [4]

1. CHEF WIWIN’S ASIAN-FUSION CANAPES MENU EXAMPLE: [5]

• Marinated kingfish ceviche, raw coconut, coriander, lime
• Asian style prawn cocktails, Australian local prawns, smoked aioli
• Lamb cutlets, greek tzatziki dressing, baby parsley
• Sweet potato, goat cheese, cranberry jam, caramelized walnuts
• Confit heirloom tomatoes, smoked cheese, squid ink waffle
• Japanese matcha pannacotta, seasonal fresh berries

2. CHEF ROBERT’S MEDITERRANEAN EXAMPLE CANAPES MENU: [6]

• Sydney rock oysters, ponzu, shallots (GF, DF)
• Wagyu beef striploin, enoki mushroom, ginger, coriander (GF, DF)
• Prosciutto Di Parma, balsamic fig, mascarpone, almond wafer (GF)
• Smoked duck breast, apricots and flowers (GF, DF)
• Salmon, cream cheese, puffs
• Chocolate tube, strawberry mousse, mint

3. CHEF SAILESH’S MODERN AUSTRALIAN EXAMPLE CANAPES MENU: [7]

• Pork belly slider, pickled fennel slaw (DF)
• Gin cured salmon, blini, dill, cream cheese
• Moroccan lamb ribs, yoghurt dressing (GF)
• Caramelised onion shell, triple brie (V)
• Avocado, feta mousse, crostini (V)
• Lemon curd, tart, raspberry powder, merengue (V)

• Media related to Canapés at Wikimedia Commons