Happy hour snacks?

[eryka]

I'm looking to broaden my repertoire of easy no cook foods to bring to those impromptu happy hours on the dock.

My current favorite thing-to-bring is a block of cream cheese, unwrapped and spread with colorful spicy jelly or chutney (like spreading icing on a cake), and crackers.

My previous standards were either hummus and veggies for dipping; a can of mixed nuts; or pretzels and mustard - but that was getting predictable.

Suggestions?

[Freesail99]

Instead of crackers, bagel chips.

[sailhog]

An aerosol can of Cool Whip is nice. Just stick the plastic thing in the corner of your mouth, and push it sideways. In seconds your mouth is full of white, fluffy cream. Word of warning: it has made my ass HUGE. My boat has an 11' beam, and yet the tops of my thighs hang over the cockpit combings and drag in the water like garbage bags filled with goo.

[fullkeel7]

I like the cream cheese thing also. You might trying mixing fine chopped sun dried tomatoes into one soften block of cheese, your favorite pesto in another and black or green olives in yet another. Canned crab meat with a little garlic mixed in is good also.

The list could be endless. You could take any three of you own choices and line a mold with plastic wrap, then layer three of them into the mold. Refridgerate and when ready, invert on a paper plate for a not only tasty treat but a colorful one as well.

I like the 'haybale' crackers or wheat thins, but Freesails bagel chips sound great. I'm get'n hungry!

[fullkeel7]

Originally Posted by sailhog

An aerosol can of Cool Whip is nice. Just stick the plastic thing in the corner of your mouth, and push it sideways. In seconds your mouth is full of white, fluffy cream. Word of warning: it has made my ass HUGE. My boat has an 11' beam, and yet the tops of my thighs hang over the cockpit combings and drag in the water like garbage bags filled with goo.

I don't believe that Sailhog, I saw the family pic you posted while on the boat and I think your bride would kick your pork loins for sure! Me on the other hand, can hold one can in each jowl!

[captainrizzo]

Here is an Italian favorite of mine...

Bruschetta

On thin baguette slices, place a slice of roma plum tomato, a whole basil leaf, and a slice of fresh mozzarella. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic vinegar on top and serve immediately.

It is simple, quick and yummo!

-Riz

[SailKing1]

Here is another one with Cream cheese.
Role out cream chese about 1 inch wide, 1/4 inch thick and 2 feet long.
Spread a thin layer of caviar and rool into a pinwheel.
Serve with Kavla bread (It's a paper thin cracker) and Champagne

[T37Chef]

You said impromptu happy hour...so that means items that should be something you would likely have on-board all the time, and require no cooking...right?

That's a tough one considering the criteria...

especially if you don't have 24 hour refrigeration on-board like myself. Even if you do and your a weekend sailor you probably don't leave much more on board other than condiments & beer. Maybe some cheese's, and things like crackers & nuts? I can't think of much other than that...but if your willing to do a little planning ahead...most of the following require no or little cooking and assembly:

• Caprese Salad: Sliced Tomato & Fresh Mozzarella topped with basil, serve on/or with Olive oil, balsamic, and bread/toasted bread. Easy!
• Prosciutto & Melon: Cantaloupe wrapped with prosciutto ham, easier to eat if you put em on a toothpick
• Ceviche: Fresh fish or shellfish, marinated with citrus
• Carpaccio: Raw Beef/Lamb usually a tenderloin or loin cut, sear outside if desired, chill, slice thin, thin, thin, serve with capers, sliced onion and a mustard mayonnaise and toasted bread or the bagel chips mentioned.
• Belgian Endive with Smoked Salmon: Puree or chop the smoked salmon and mix with your cream cheese/marscapone cheese and spoon/pipe on the bottom end of the endive leaf, top with chive if your so inclined
• Fig & Walnut Bruschetta: Soften some blue cheese, spread on some toast, top with a half of fig and some chopped walnuts
• Cucumber Tea Sandwich: Spread white/wheat bread with dill flavored butter (both pieces), peel & slice cucumber and lay on bread, top with bread, slice crust off to form a square, then cut on diagonal to make 2 or 4 triangular mini tea sandwiches. Very light and refreshing bite!
• Smoked Trout with horseradish dip/spread & crackers.
• Charcuterie(sausages, salami, pate's terrine's) Platter serve sliced with cornichones. Buy at your local butcher or specialty shop, can be expensive and hard to find quality in some area's. Wegmans has some good stuff.

Just a few things that I could think of at the moment...will edit as them come to mind

[welshwind]

My wife loves to smoke salmon and we often have it on the boat. Whenever an impromptu gathering occurs, we'll typically take that. In fact, I think we're getting invited to more impromptu gatherings because of the reputation of her fish!!

[korsan]

Feta Cheese, Olives, Canned Sardines.