pat's Recipe

Pick Up Sticks - Hors d Oeuvres

Category: appetizers served cold

Using a skewer instead of a toothpick instantly upgrades these no-cook ors d'oeuvres, all of which are a snap to assemble from ingredients straight out of the fridge or pantry. Try any of these combinations or come up with some of your own. Set the assembled skewers in a graphic pattern on a dish pretty enough for passing.

1. A small mint leaf, a piece of marinated artichoke heart, and a dusting of salty shredded Pecorino Romano cheese.

2. One green grape (whole), some Spanish manchego cheese (slice or cube) and spicy chorizo (slices).

3. A garden fresh trio of watermelon (cubed), basil (fresh leaf), and cherry tomato (halved) brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with sea salt.

4. Jalapeno (slice), avocado (chunk) and a strip of jicarna, doused with a squeeze of lime.

5. Bocconini (3 mini fresh mozzarella balls) all drizzled with olive oil; 1 rolled in red-pepper flakes, 1 wrapped with an anchovy fillet and 1 sprinkled with lemon zest.

6. Half a caper berry, roasted red pepper, and a crouton rubbed with sweet paprika and olive oil.

7. Sweet small red pepper, such as Peppadew, stuffed with goat cheese and oregano.

8. Feta cheese (cubes), half a yellow pear tomato, a chunk of cucumber and a Kalamata olive.

9. A cube of rustic brear and a mint leaf (basil works also) wrapped with thinly sliced prosciuto.

10. Cantaloupe and cucumber pieces with sea salt, lime zest and cracked black pepper.

allow 4 skewers per person