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Hors d’Oeuvres

Tuesday, January 28, 2014 5:02
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“Hors d’Ouvres” – known in our house simply as “Nibbles” (sounds like the name of a cat) – is a French term that means literally “outside the work” [where "work" is used in the sense of "the main event".] It is the term frequently used to describe a selection of goodies provided by the host to whet guests’ appetites before the main meal begins. We certainly use it in this way, and we often sit down with a plate of Nibbles and a cocktail while dinner is cooking. It is a sociable activity, helping us to relax and catch up on what each of us has been doing during the day.
Here is a typical example, presented on those beautiful Faience de Gien plates that Fiona and Juan gave me at Christmas-time:
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On the plates here we see two types of Saucisson Sec (the French equivalent of Salami); some Cipolle Borretane (Italian-style onions pickled with balsamic vinegar); some Silverskin cocktail onions; and some mixed olives – plus my latest favourite garnish, the Celeriac leaf.

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And here’s a photo of another, more Summery, selection, taken some while ago:

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That one has Cornichons (small gherkins), Kalamata olives, and home-grown Radishes and cherry Tomatoes.
Here’s another option – Extra Virgin Olive Oil, with bread for dipping, and more Radishes, with salt for dipping them in
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More Radishes…
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Without a doubt the best Nibbles, from the gardener’s point of view, have to be the home-grown ones, like these crunchy finger carrots:

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Or a bowl of bite-sized tomatoes:
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Perhaps some of the very tiniest new potatoes with some black pepper and a knob of butter?
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Or maybe just some fresh peas, picked moments previously in the garden just outside our door?

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Can’t you just hear the soft “pop” noise as you snap them open??

So friends, what is YOUR favourite nibble? Please tell me!


Source: http://marksvegplot.blogspot.com/2014/01/hors-doeuvres.html

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