The Nibbly Meal

About author / Jerri Manthey

Reality tv star; personal chef; die-hard foodie. Try her vegetarian French onion soup - you won't be sorry

Part of what is wrong with the way society looks at food nowadays is that
people have come to believe that food must make you feel full, that you must clean your plate, that dinner is the biggest meal of the day. Well, I have a completely different opinion in the matter, mostly due to one of my favorite childhood snacks.

When I was little, I used to take great pride in making snack plates for my family while we watched TV. I'd take cheese and cut it into cubes. I would roll up ham and slice it into bite-sized pieces. An olive or cocktail onion would finish the ensemble. But none of these foods were ready for serving until I'd stick them on a toothpick. All of my favorite flavors were in one bite on a stick.

As an adult, I have upgraded the standard toothpick hors d'oeuvres to a tray of tasty gourmet delights. I love to entertain friends or treat myself with a bottle of wine (cabernet is my wine of choice), a plate of different textured and flavored cheeses, some fresh meats, pickles, olives, and lastly, a good crusty bread and/or sesame water crackers. I've found that with a good assortment, what some people may consider an hors d'oeuvre, can be turned into a full meal.

For such a nibbly dinner-on-a-stick, some of my favorite cheeses to use are:

Cambozola: a mix of brie and blue cheese
Belgioso Creamy Gorgonzola: a super mild blue cheese (this was my introduction to blue cheese, and it really won me over)
Chipotle Cheddar: a white cheddar marbled with chipotle peppers
Irish Cheddar: a crumbly, very sharp cheddar
Smoked Gouda: one of the most flavorful smoked cheeses
Aged Gruyere: a sharper, drier Swiss

My favorite meat choices:
Prosciutto: an imported Italian is always best
Hard, dry Italian salami: I like to buy it in a stick rather than presliced
: a ham with a wonderful, smoked flavor
Goose Liver Pate: more flavorful and authentic than chicken or pork

Best relish items:
Cornichons: a small, zesty pickle with a distinct vinegar flavor
Vlasic Zesty Dill Spears: zestier with a bit of a kick
A mix of green and black olives: with the pit still in them!
Blue cheese stuffed olives: you can buy them stuffed, or stuff them yourself
Cocktail onions: I will always love these as they remind me of my childhood

Sometimes I find a good, spicy or hot and sweet mustard to compliment the meats. I also like to use the crusty bread to make garlic toast for an added treat. Drizzle olive oil, sprinkle parmesan and garlic powder over slices of the bread and lightly toast it in the oven at 400 degrees for about four to five minutes.

I really enjoy this sort of "nibbly meal." The assortment of flavors all complement each other perfectly and I am left feeling more than satisfied. It's a proven fact that eating slowly and taking smaller bites is healthier and allows your food to digest easily.

One of my favorite aspects of the "nibbly meal" is that the prep time is minimal, so you have more time to be with your guests. Sharing food from a serving tray makes the meal a social event. If you're alone, it still feels good to treat yourself.

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