Ideas for appetizers that will please the whole table

Whether your guests are more the classic types, enjoy culinary discoveries or prefer distinguished bites, there will be something for everyone this holiday season. Here are six ideas to start your meal off on the right foot. Let the festivities begin!

Classics

Maple-glazed carrots

You’re sure to fall hard for these grilled and maple-glazed carrots with two local ingredients that are a perfect match. Easy to prepare, all this dish requires is to boil the carrots in a pan until the water has evaporated, and add butter and maple syrup until glazed.

Salmon gravlax with steak spices and pickle sauce from Trois fois par jour

This simple and refined Scandinavian classic always wows the crowd and you’ll see why! Here, the steak spice flavoured gravlax combined with a creamy pickle sauce makes for incredible flavours. Make it in advance since it requires a full day of marinating, and when ready to serve, plate with fresh herbs and warm naan bread for a perfect dish to share before the main course.

Originals

Spinach and artichoke bread appetizers from Alexandra Diaz and Geneviève O’Gleman

A starter that is out of the ordinary, impressive and easy is something we can all get behind. Especially when guests arrive a little early. This one is a tasty grilled baguette with Swiss cheese, silken tofu, fresh spinach, and pickled artichoke hearts. Not only will this baguette look good, it will taste even better!

Squash with barley, pancetta and two-cheese stuffing

We found the perfect recipe to use up those last squash of the fall. Those ones are stuffed with a comforting salad of barley, pancetta, cheese and fresh sage. The whole dish looks spectacular on the table, but above all is delicious!

Chic

Goat cheese duo oysters

Oysters are always a chic choice! Although we also love them plain, or simply with a shallot mignonette, there are so many ways to prepare these molluscs. In this recipe, oysters are prepared in two ways with goat cheese. The first is with melon and herbs, and the second with pear and pesto, for two original and impressive ways to savour these deep sea delights. Hot tip: Choose a variety of fleshy oysters—they’re ideal with goat cheese.

Duck confit bites from Josée di Stasio

These small bites are as cute as they are delicious. Garnished with confit duck and enhanced with cranberries, these little cups are perfect for impressing your guests at your next holiday feast. You can also use endive leaves or small homemade croutons to vary the bites.