For an Easy Appetizer, Go Greek!

You’ve probably experienced the following scenario…

*going to a friend’s house for dinner & ask friend, “What can I bring?”
*friend says, “An appetizer would be nice!”
*you think to yourself- great… I have a busy day. what the heck can I whip up quickly that will still impress?

This was my dilemma recently. I posed this question to my Twitter friends, and I received a prompt response from a guy I affectionately call Mr. Greek (Peter from Kalofagas). He suggested simple Greek skewers. That sounded easy enough to me. I put together something I’m calling: Easy Greek Appetizer Skewers.
greekapp1

I simply used toothpicks to skewer a small piece of red onion, pear tomato, 1/2 slice cucumber and a small square of reduced-fat feta.  I figured the reduced-fat version wouldn’t make a bit of difference in this appetizer, and I could be free to eat it myself without feeling like I was consuming too much fat from the hunks of cheese.

greekapp3

Two key things to know in making this easy appetizer: 
1.  Placing the onion on top is important for a few reasons- It’s pretty, it’s nice and firmly on there so the tomato won’t slip off, and when people eat this appetizer they’ll be eating it from the feta end… so if they don’t care for the onion, they’ll simple put the feta, cucumber and tomato in their mouth and leave the onion on the toothpick.
2.  The cube of feta should go on the bottom.  It acts as a nice ‘base’ for the appetizer so it can be placed on the platter as shown.  And if you try to skewer the feta all the way through, you may break it apart since it’s a crumbly cheese by nature.
greekapp2

Make all of your skewers ahead of time (several hours ahead is just fine… wrap gently with plastic wrap and refrigerate).  Just before serving, drizzle a little bit of red wine vinaigrette over the skewers (red wine vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper).  Done!  See how simple that was?  Thanks Peter :)

Next time, I might wish to add a kalamata olive to my skewers to make a complete Greek salad sampler!

Though you don’t really need a recipe for this one, if you’d like to print out instructions, the recipe can be found HERE.

P.S.  I thought this might be an appropriate post for today since I’m hosting our Gourmet Club’s dinner party tonight.  The theme is GREEK!  Details, recipes & pictures coming soon…


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29 Comments

  1. Posted February 28, 2009 at 2:46 AM | Permalink

    what a nice and easy appetiser! colours are so nice too.

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  2. Posted February 28, 2009 at 4:34 AM | Permalink

    What a refreshing looking appy!

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  3. Posted February 28, 2009 at 4:39 AM | Permalink

    oh add the olive – i love them. this appetizer would make such a pretty presentation!

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  4. Posted February 28, 2009 at 5:05 AM | Permalink

    I love this as well because it is so fresh and not the 1000 calorie appetizer everyone expects you to bring. Great idea!

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  5. Posted February 28, 2009 at 5:44 AM | Permalink

    This is very nice, I like how you explained why you put the ingredients in the order you did, it makes sense !

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  6. rhyleysgranny
    Posted February 28, 2009 at 5:48 AM | Permalink

    How simple but oh how effective and colourful those are.

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  7. Posted February 28, 2009 at 6:42 AM | Permalink

    So nice and colorful I like the logic on where to place each item on the skewer.
    LL

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  8. Posted February 28, 2009 at 8:10 AM | Permalink

    Love this appetizer. So cute and healthy!! Perfect for a party!

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  9. Posted February 28, 2009 at 8:23 AM | Permalink

    Peter rides in for the rescue:D

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  10. Posted February 28, 2009 at 8:29 AM | Permalink

    What a fun and easy recipe – looks wonderful!!

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  11. Posted February 28, 2009 at 9:07 AM | Permalink

    They are perfect…simple and low fat.

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  12. Posted February 28, 2009 at 9:56 AM | Permalink

    great appetizer idea! simple is often the most impressive when it’s put together as nicely as yours.

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  13. Posted February 28, 2009 at 11:21 AM | Permalink

    These look so refreshing – the perfect appetizer to take along!

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  14. Posted February 28, 2009 at 11:23 AM | Permalink

    Nice idea! The colors really make this for me.

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  15. Posted February 28, 2009 at 12:32 PM | Permalink

    Beautiful and healthy.

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  16. Posted February 28, 2009 at 1:03 PM | Permalink

    What an easy and elegant appetizer! Thanks for sharing this great tip.

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  17. Posted February 28, 2009 at 1:14 PM | Permalink

    mmmmm that looks tasty and easy! It would make a great snack on a hot summer day.

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  18. Posted February 28, 2009 at 1:28 PM | Permalink

    Beautiful, healty, colorful,appetizing and easy.
    Mmmmmm these look yummy morsels.
    I’ll try this within the shortest possible time.
    Thanks..

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  19. Posted February 28, 2009 at 2:27 PM | Permalink

    This is brilliant!!

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  20. Posted February 28, 2009 at 3:43 PM | Permalink

    How beautiful and delicious as well. I agree . . an olive would complete the Greek theme.

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  21. Posted February 28, 2009 at 6:04 PM | Permalink

    I love this!! I would definitely add and olive, and in summer, a few big oregano leaves.
    Gorgeous!

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  22. Posted March 1, 2009 at 4:37 AM | Permalink

    Cuuuute!!

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  23. Posted March 1, 2009 at 5:41 AM | Permalink

    those look goooood!! so colorful!

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  24. Posted March 1, 2009 at 7:09 AM | Permalink

    Yep, I’d leave the onion, but looks so yummy and easy and pretty!

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  25. Posted March 1, 2009 at 10:36 AM | Permalink

    Absolutely gorgeous Lori and very practical for the cocktail circuit. Everyone’s standing around, noshing…no one wants salad all over them!

    Thanks for the shout and it was my pleasure assisting.

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  26. Posted March 1, 2009 at 11:00 AM | Permalink

    Oh this looks fantastic!

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  27. Posted March 1, 2009 at 7:34 PM | Permalink

    What a tasty and fresh idea. All the colors make it beautiful. And, yes, olives, please.

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  28. Posted March 2, 2009 at 4:27 PM | Permalink

    Peter’s great, isn’t he? And these appetizers are so cute! Olives would definitely be great in the mix.

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  29. Posted March 3, 2009 at 10:02 AM | Permalink

    Yeah for Mr Greek! Lori these are such a perfect treat. I like your reasoning for placing the onion on top, very thoughtful! These are very healthy too and not heavy like some dips or other apps. Great presentation.

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