Bacon and Orange Marmalade Canapés | Friday Night Bites

A couple weeks ago I had the ultimate Friday Night Bites with great friends.  My long time friend Denise came up from San Diego for the Holidays.  We reserved a date for the get together back in September and it seemed like it would be forever until I saw her, but then the holidays appeared.  I had about a dozen folks over to enjoy an evening of wine, appetizers and many laughs. 

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Each person brought a favorite bottle of wine along with a small gift for our annual exchange, which gets quite competitive – but that makes it really fun in my book.  It brings me great joy to make the appetizers and test out new recipes.  I just admit it is a lot of work but work every minute of it – the reaction on my friend’s faces was priceless and brings much joy to my life. I simply love brings people together and sharing my culinary talents with each of them.

(Left to right:  Me, Pam, Anna, Denise, Helen and Betsy)

With months to plan this party, I had been jotting down appetizer ideas and a few days prior to the party, the menu was set.  The key to entertaining is the planning and then working backwards to have your game plan set.  I always have a master list to work off that has my grocery list, timeline, preparation list and party set up details.  I wanted to share a few of the tips that have served me well over the years for stress free entertaining:

1. Use your master list each step of the way
2. Get ready at least 2 hours prior to the party, so you are not rushed
3. Clean the house the day prior to the party
4. Make as many items ahead of time
5. A beautiful cheese platter can be set up an hour prior to the party and ready for your guests to enjoy while preparing the other appetizers
6. Have an empty dishwasher so you can have easy clean up
7. When serving wine, have glass identifiers for your guests to attach to their glass
8. Create a great play list to have in the background for perfect ambiance
9. Light candles 15 minutes prior to your guests arriving
10. Utilize your ambient lighting and dimmer switches to create that perfect cocktail vibe
11. I like to send home a small gift of homemade jam with my guests to remember the party

The Bacon and Orange Marmalade Canapés were the perfect bite.  They had the earthiness of the pumpernickel bread along with the sweet & tartness of the marmalade and the smokiness of the bacon and the scallion garnish just rounded out the divine bite.  It is a simple appetizer and the recipe is a bit lose yet incredibly easy to make.  Happy Friday Night Bites!

Bacon and Orange Marmalade Canapés

Makes 36

Pumpernickel Bread

3 Tablespoons Butter, melted

Orange Marmalade Jam

6 to 8 slices bacon, crispy (broken into inch pieces)

¼ Cup Scallions, finely minced

Cut out 36 rounds from the pumpernickel bread (Use 1 ½ to 2 inch cookie cutters) then brush each side with butter.  Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 13 minutes or until crisp.  Best to flip half way through the cooking process.  Let cool.

Cook the bacon until crispy and drain well.  Break into inch pieces.

To assemble, add a teaspoon of orange marmalade jam then top with a piece of bacon and garnish with the minced scallions.