The April issue of Meetings & Conventions magazine featured the "Best Bites" and trendy hors d'oeuvres for meeting and group planners. Many West Virginia agribusinesses and specialty food companies provide catering services so using fresh, local ingredients from your local farmers' market is one of their favorite sources. Don't have a market open year round? Check out the Inwood Farmers Market or Capitol Market to shop for your ingredients. Here's a quick view of the newest in appetizers and a West Virginia "twist":
1. Tomato Basil Hand Pies-Get some local tomatoes to roast and harvest some basil from your container or herb garden.
2. A Lobster Two Ways-Substitute with a corn dog and combine with herbs like cilantro from your garden to dress up a wonderful presentation idea on a stick.
3. A Waves & Foam-Utilizes a foam presentation technique and reminds us that chutney, jam & jelly go wonderfully with Gorgonzola cheese; how about West Virginia goat cheese or a variety from Spring Gap Mountain Creamery?
4. A Duo of Granitas--Frozen cocktails remind us that West Virginia wineries and distillers can be used out of the bottle or combined into a cool summer drink.
5. Seafood Fortune Cookies--A balance of curry and coconut in this presentation; regional cuisines are in. Check out a list of West Virginia specialty condiment manufacturers and create your own unique appetizer.
6. A Bacon and Egg Sandwich--One bite sandwiches are the centerpiece of a diverse appetizer presentation. Have fun with West Virginia pork and some fresh eggs from your local market or farm.
7. Tiny Sirloin Patty Melts--Following the snacker trend and mixing it up with a classic sandwich, these would be easy to make using West Virginia beef products.
8. Lamb Tagine Turnovers--Most forget that West Virginia lamb is a terrific meat choice and goes well with an array of sweet spices (mint, cucumber).
9. Asparagus Salume Pesto Tower--Screams West Virginia! Asparagus from your home garden or the market.
10. Truffled Cherries--Appetizers can be sweet! Check out Vienna's Holl's Chocolates or Martinsburg's DeFluri's Fine Chocolates to add these treats easily.
11. Pumpkin Pie Soup--Pumpkins and butternut squash topped with apple cider foam....how West Virginia can you get.
Check out all of the newest trends at http://www.mcmag.com/ and add a touch of West Virginia agriculture to your next party or meeting.
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