Stock the pantry to be ready for parties
Essentials for appetizers in a hurry
The holidays test our sanity reserves. Keeping some inexpensive but versatile ingredients on hand is all it takes to pull off some honourable hors d’oeuvres, even at the last minute.
So for now we can all rejoice because, for the first time, unannounced guests and scheduling mishaps aren’t met with awkward silences or heart-stopping realizations. Hallelujah!
Puff pastry
Store-bought puff pastry will stay good in your freezer for months — but during the holidays it’s best kept in the fridge. This way it will stay cool but also easy to roll out at a moment’s notice.
Fresh-to-frozen
baguette
Buy a fresh baguette and refrigerate it for about an hour so it becomes firm and easy to slice. Cut it into thin rounds, seal in a sandwich bag and freeze. When company pops by, just preheat the oven to 400 F (205 C). Since the thin slices will defrost quickly, all you need to do is toss them with olive oil, lightly salt and bake until golden for 8 to 10 minutes.
Wheel of brie
Melted or room temperature, brie is a crowd-pleasing cheese that compliments more than it offends. This versatility makes it a musthave-on-hand this holiday season.
Walnut halve
Rugged nuts look great and offer a rich, satisfying
crunch.
Liquid honey
When baked, honey adds a sticky, candy-like component. When used as a finishing drizzle it offers a gorgeous glaze and sweet flavour. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
Grainy Dijon mustard
Provides texture as well as a needed bite and acidity to richer dishes.
Granny Smith apples
Cold-weather tree fruits, like apples, add a refreshing element to holiday canapés. They also stay firm longer than other fruits and add a tart crispness.
Fresh thyme
The leaves of this sturdy but fragrant herb can be baked or used as a garnish. Not only does thyme keep well in the fridge, its light, citrus notes mean it pairs well with other ingredients.