Elevate Your Appetizer Game: Our Top Five Sophisticated Picks
There are times when a special dinner party merits a first course that wows the guests. Whether it’s a classic with extra homemade touches, a decadent dip or an impressively complex dish, sophisticated appetizers set the tone for a meal. We’ve curated five of our favorite, elegant appetizer recipes that are wine-friendly and crowd-pleasing. For best results, start with the best, freshest ingredients you can find plus quality wine like Jordan Chardonnay, Cabernet or Jordan Cuvée by Champagne AR Lenoble.
Delightful Small Bites for Sophisticated Appetizers
Crispy Short Ribs with Radish Soubise
The richness of the short rib, enhanced by its crispy exterior, finds resonance with a silky, smooth wine like Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. The pickled mustard seeds in this recipe provide a tangy brightness that cuts through the richness of the meat, while the daikon and radish soubise offer a refreshing, slightly peppery contrast, elevating the dish’s complexity. The lower-alcohol content of a wine like the Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon ensures that its flavors don’t overpower the delicate nuances of this short rib recipe, resulting in a seamless integration of flavors and textures.
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Wild Mushroom Crostini with Chèvre
This low-acid, wild porcini mushroom crostini is refreshingly bright, and combined with the tart creaminess of goat cheese, presents an intriguing, wine-friendly pairing for Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon. Impressive to pass around before a meal or as a plated, first course. Garnish this elegant, vegetarian appetizer recipe with the first elements of spring—pea shoots and pea blossoms—and our local Humboldt Fog chèvre.
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Smoked Sturgeon and Caviar with Cucumbers and Chives
The marriage of smoked sturgeon, Jordan’s Chef’s Reserve Caviar by Tsar Nicoulai, crisp cucumbers and delicate chives creates a beautiful symphony of flavors and textures that harmonize effortlessly. The buttery richness of the smoked sturgeon melds seamlessly with a bright, Burgundian-style wine like the Jordan Chardonnay, enhancing its subtle oak undertones and highlighting its citrus and stone fruit notes. The cool, crisp bite of the cucumbers and the fresh herbal notes of the chives serve to cleanse the palate between sips, ensuring each taste is as vibrant and delightful as the last.
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Cucumber Salad with Asian Inspired Vinaigrette
This flavorful, fresh cucumber salad is ideal for summer parties and the unique flavors elevate a simple appetizer. Subtle umami notes from the Asian-inspired vinaigrette coat the delicate cucumber, corn and edible flowers ever so slightly to offer a sophisticated as well as delicious plated appetizer. The vinaigrette can be prepared ahead and stored for up to one week, so you can toss it all together in a bowl and serve with Jordan Chardonnay or Jordan AR Lenoble Champagne.
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Authentic Hummus
If you haven’t made hummus from scratch, then you haven’t experienced this classic Mediterranean dish at its finest. Hands-on treatment elevates a normally humble dip to an elegant appetizer. Our rendition of authentic hummus includes elephant garlic and Jordan’s high-quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil, but also the surprising addition of a few teaspoons of baking soda — the secret of an ultra-smooth hummus. The ingredient list is short – only seven — but the shorter the list, the more important each component becomes. Pairs beautifully with Jordan Russian River Valley Chardonnay.
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