These days, it can be difficult to know what to serve when you’re catering for a barbecue, party, event or other function because people might have food sensitivities and intolerances.
Trying to balance everyone’s dietary needs can be a headache, and can even suck the fun right out of entertaining. Your sister is doing a paleo thing, one of your mates needs gluten-free food and you’ve just heard someone else is on a clean eating kick and won’t eat anything that contains artificial flavouring, colouring, and preservatives.
There’s a new range of ham from D’Orsogna that contains nothing artificial. No preservatives, colours, flavours or added nitrites. It’s also gluten free and 97% fat free and can be used to make some non-boring appetisers for your next soiree.
Everyone loves nibbles and appetisers, but the usual chips and dip aren’t always the healthiest option, and they can also get a bit boring. But then again healthy food can seem a bit boring too, right? You don’t want to serve up a snooze fest!
Healthy can be delicious. Have lots of beautiful fresh fruit and vegetables available on a platter – it doesn’t have to be all carrot sticks and celery. Chop up spears of cucumber and capsicum as well, add cherry tomatoes, olives, grapes, strawberries and melon balls to an antipasto plate of meats, and cheeses. For those who can tolerate gluten, you can include interesting bread options with olive oil and balsamic (try some multigrain sourdough, for example).
For other finger foods, think outside the box.
1. Ham and Pickle Appetiser bites
Lay slices of D’Orsogna 100% Natural ham flat and then spread with a thin layer of cream cheese. Cut dill pickles into spears, and add a spear to each slice of ham. Roll the ham up with the spear inside and place three toothpicks along the top to hold it in place. Cut each roll of ham into three.
2. Ham and Cheese Wraps
Spread wraps with cream cheese. Place thin slice of D’Orsogna 100% Natural ham then top with spinach. Roll up the wraps, wrap in a plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours. Slice each tortilla roll into an inch thick, arrange in a platter with the cute side up and insert toothpicks on each.
This is a fun and very attractive way of serving wraps. You can add slices of tomatoes to make it look more appealing.
3. Barbecued Ham and Pineapple Kebabs
Try threading slices of D’Orsogna 100% Natural ham, folded over, on skewers and alternate with chunks of freshly cut pineapple or more fruits if you want! Place them on the grill on the barbecue for a few minutes each side, being careful not to overdo it. If you use bamboo skewers, make sure you soak them in water for 30 minutes first.
4. Ham and asparagus roll ups
For this appetiser you’ll need slices of D’Orsogna 100% Natural ham stacked in piles of two slices each. Spread each stack with 1 teaspoon of cream cheese. Place an asparagus spear on the long side of each stack, and roll up. Place each roll up seam-side down in a baking dish and bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 180 degrees or until heated through.
5. Cucumber and Ham Roll Ups
Instead of the same old sandwich bites, why don’t you whip up some Cucumber Ham Roll ups? The key to this delicious appetizer is the ham and you can’t go wrong with each slice of D’Orsogna 100% Natural ham. Thinly slice the cucumber length ways. In a small mixing bowl, put in the cream cheese, some mustard and dill. Spread 2 tablespoons on the ham slices. Roll the cucumber around the ham and then secure with a toothpick.
