Perfect Party Food! These Grana Padano & Prosciutto di San Daniele Canapés are quick and easy to make and will have your guests flocking around you when you serve them!
I just love party food! Little bite sized morsels of exquisite deliciousness that you can eat standing up whilst holding a drink and chatting. Usually I hate standing up to drink; my idea of hell is a crowded pub with no seats – why would I pay pub prices for a glass of indifferent wine that I need to stand up to drink? Change the setting to a party with trays of canapés being circulated and it is a different story – such is my love of party food.
I suspect part of the joy of canapés is that someone else does the, largely fiddly, work. If you are making them yourself it is a time consuming business and a labour of love for your guests. However these are a version of my short cut, prep the night before, take to work and leave in the fridge all day before assembling at someone else’s party canapés. If you want to be the most valued guest at a party offer to bring a tray of these, your host or hostess will love you forever.
The secret is in firstly the creamy, flavoured filling, here made with a mix of cream cheese, sour cream, grated Grana Padano and chopped Prosciutto di San Daniele. Secondly in good quality, bite sized canapé cases – most supermarkets sell these, the trick is to find ones that truly are bite sized and are also fairly thin. Thirdly is some garnish, canapés need to be a feast for the eyes as well as the taste buds. I can make and assemble a batch of about 50 of these in less than 20 minutes.
Both Grana Padano and Prosciutto di San Daniele are quality, artisan ingredients, which deserve to be served simply so their superior flavours shine through. Both products are proud carriers of the Protected Designation of Origin status, which strictly defines their production area and follow traditional methods of production. I visited Italy last year, and met the artisans who make these products with care, pride and passion, so I am only going to serve them in a way which showcases them.
You can read about the production process of both Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano here.
But onto the canapés! You can make the filling the day before and store in covered container in the fridge. Any leftover filling is delicious as a dip, or pasta sauce.
Grana Padano & Prosciutto di San Daniele Canapés
Ingredients
- 150 g Cream Cheese
- 150 g Sour Cream
- 60 g Grana Padano
- 6 slices Prosciutto di San Daniele ((finely chopped))
- 24 Canapes or pastry cases
- Fresh Basil ((to garnish))
Instructions
- Mix the cream cheese and sour cream together
- Use a vegetable peeler to shave off some pieces of Grana Padano for garnishing, finely grate the rest into the cream cheese mix
- Add the chopped Prosciutto di San Daniele, setting aside some for garnishing. Mix well and season to taste.
- When ready to serve fill the pastry cases with the mixture, garnishing with a little of the chopped Prosciutto di San Daniele, a flake of Grana Padano, a small basil leaf and a sprinkling of pepper.
To learn more visit the Proscuitto di San Daniele and Grana Padano sites.
Recipe post commissioned by Grana Padano & Prosciutto di San Daniele. All opinions our own.
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Natalie | Natalie's Food & Health
I’m totally obsessed with Grana Padano cheese and Prosciutto is national dish in my country, Croatia. I loveee the combo of those two :) These bites look absolutely delicious Helen. Perfect for New Years Eve party ;)
Helen
Grana Padano is SO delicious. Perfect in a canapé like this.
Brian Jones
Such classic flavours, love the ham and Grana Padano combination, you will need to make a few more though, I can only spy enough for me ;)
Helen
Yes, I do need to make about 10 times the amount! Happily they are so easy to make
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon
I love bite-sized morsels too! And how can you go wrong with such lovely ingredients like the Grana Padano and Prosciutto? These look like the perfect little bites. If I wanted to whip up ricotta into the base in place of the cream cheese, do you think that would work?
Helen
Quality ingredients are made for simple dishes like these. Ricotta sounds an excellent addition.
Lisa @Garlicandzest.com
Party foods are the best! I think I could make a meal out of these little bites! Pass the wine!
Helen
I love party food, We always have a meal of canapes around Christmas time.
Lynn | The Road to Honey
Isn’t it interesting how food can totally change your perception of things? I mean. . .icky, crowded pub to glorious event simply by introducing a delicious little bite of food. And I’m pretty sure these beauties would definitely get the party vibe going in no time.
Helen
I cannot stand the standing to drink thing. but the food certainly helps.
Lisa Backsnbumps
They sound amazing. I love the combination, would be perfect for a party over Christmas.
Helen
so quick, easy and delicious
Sophie
Oh wow these look incredible and something I’d definitely make for Christmas parties!
Helen
thank you! So quick and easy too
five little doves
Oh very nice! I love canapes, sometimes more than the meal itself, I’d happily just eat a whole plate of canapes instead!
Helen
Me too. Canapes should be a meal option!
Debbie Nicholas
Oh wow these look amazing and yet so simple to make!
Helen
thank you, so easy and simple to make.
Alina
Wish I had cream cheese in the fridge now! They look lovely and I agree that they’re great party food :)
Helen
go and buy cream cheese to make them!
Kara
They look absolutely delicious, perfect for New Year celebrations
Helen
Absolutely. I adore canapes.
Kerry Norris
I think I’ll have a go at these for our New Year’s Eve party. Love the flavour combination x
Helen
hope you enjoy them Kerry.
Adele
They look delicious, thank you so much for sharing your recipe.
Corina
They look gorgeous! I don’t have the patience to make canapes but I love the way you’ve made these really simple but still tasty.
Helen
These are canapes for the impatient.
Alida @My Little Italian Kitchen
Two of my most favourite Italian quality foods! Your canapes look great and surely delicious. Enjoy your trip!
Sabrina B
couldn’t agree more about avoiding stand-up dining, or even drinking if too crowded! these look wonderful, different (at least from what I’ve served my guests) and well suited for year round entertaining, thank you for this
Helen
I cannot stand standing to drink in pubs.
Stuart Vettese
So easy to make, but look very impressive Helen. I will bookmark these for my next shindig.
Helen
I am all about the easy but impressive!