Hors d'Oeuvres

Simple Hors d'Oeuvres Can Make A Big Impression

Hors d'oeuvres recipes are what the French household cook will make to start their meals.

Just that 'little something' to whet the appetite.

These Hors d'oeuvres or appetizers, will do just that – encourage the gastric juices to flow before getting into the main course.

Lots of  ideas on starters and hors d'oeuvres on this page.

Start With A Fresh French Salad

You will find recipes for salads on my French Salads page, which will give you lots of ideas and most are easy and very economical to make.

Making your own dressings is not only easy but is economical and so much better for you. Here are some you will love!

French Dressing Recipe or Vinaigrette

This French dressing recipe or vinaigrette is so easy to make at home, with many ways to flavor it for each application, and will enhance all your hors d oeuvres, salads and crudités.

It is far superior in flavor to any you buy at the supermarket and costs very little to make.

OR

Make your own very tasty mayonnaise!

This mayonnaise recipe will give you a far more superior mayonnaise to accompany your hors d'oeuvres recipes, salads and crudités. You will find it an easy recipe to make at home with amazing results – just wait until you hear all the compliments when you present this at your table!

Paté Recipes

Some easy paté recipes you can make at home that will give you some wonderful tasty hors d oeuvres.

Discover a list of 5 delectable paté recipes and 5 great tips for making paté that will assist you in serving an exquisite and palatable entrée.

A Potpourri Of Olives

Such an easy means of adding something delicious and nutritious to your appetizer table.

There are so many kinds of olives in an assortment of color and taste.

Olives can be served as they are or delicately stuffed with a variety of complimentary flavors.

Hors d'oeuvres recipes in the French home is usually something simple such as ham or garlic sausage, tunny fish, smoked fish, sardines, olives, salads or fresh  raw vegetables beautifully prepared in a light herb vinaigrette.

The most important thing about the hors d'oeuvres is that the food is of excellent quality and fresh. The French cook chooses her produce carefully using her eyes and her sense of smell. She will only buy what is fresh. The quality is always good and she never throws anything away, nothing is ever wasted in her kitchen.

For a formal meal the hors d'oeuvres are usually arranged in individual dishes but for a family meal they can be arranged attractively on individual plates. White dishes are best as they present the wonderful colors of the meat and vegetables whereas a patterned dish is likely to be confusing.

They are arranged attractively but simply – French food is never over garnished.

Tapenade

A Tapenade recipe which will give you another tasty dip to add to your table.

It is a Provencal dish made with black olives, anchovy fillets, capers, tuna fish and is great for spreading on toast or French bread – for anytime of day!

Even though this dish is very easy and quick, here is another version of this excellent hors d'oeuvres that is even easier and quicker.

Tapenade Easy

Escargots

A French delicacy also eaten in many other European countries such as Germany, Italy, Portugal, Sardinia and served in French restaurants all over the world.

Are they much different than eating mussels or clams out of their shells?

In some ways not, as some people have described them as tasting like squid or mussels.

Prepared in a buttery garlic sauce... mmm good!

Avocado shells

Avocado shells are such a simple and easy dish to make yet they look and taste amazing. You will have these ready in no time at all and you can keep them in your refrigerator until you are ready to serve.

Avocado vinaigrette

For a quick and easy appetiser or hors d'oeuvre this is a great little recipe. Avocados are supreme and you will have this little gem on your table in extra no time! Delicious.

Egg and Tomato Hors d'Oeuvres

These egg stuffed tomatoes are to be found in charcuteries throughout France and they make such a quick and tasty hors d'oeuvres or light lunch. Great to make at home and sure to please everyone.

Fish balls

Miniature fish balls which are so easy to make yet are amazingly delicious and sure to please everyone. Can be made with any cooked fish but especially delicious made with smoked haddock.

Parisienne tomatoes

These delicious stuffed tomatoes are made in the Parisienne style. So easy and quick to make yet are amazingly spectacular on your table. You will have such a colourful display and they are a sure winner every time.

Artichoke salad

Artichoke salad is another very simple Hors d oeuvres and will be sure to impress your family and friends. An easy and quick recipe to give you sensational results.

Foie gras

For those very special occasions or celebrations you may want to include something traditional such as a foie gras dish. This is a very simple dish with a big impact.

Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce

A great combination of a creamy hollandaise sauce with the delicacy of fresh succulent asparagus. 

Crudités

Hors d'oeuvres recipes don't get any easier than these - a colourful display of healthy vegetable crudites will enhance your hors d'oeuvres table. They are so easy and simple to make using vegetables either raw or lightly cooked.