Pair Food With Champagne

Cheers!

Though usually reserved for toasts, champagne can be the perfect drink to serve at your next cocktail, holiday or dessert party. One of the reasons people tend to shy away from champagne is because they don't know what types of foods to pair with it. Though champagne doesn't usually go well with heavy foods or main entrees, there are plenty of foods that pair beautifully with the bubbly substance, making for yummy finger foods and an elegant looking soiree.

Instructions

1. Cut up melons and citrus fruits, and add berries to arrange a fruit platter. Pineapples, oranges, grapefruits, watermelons, cantaloupes, melons, strawberries and raspberries are light, watery and complement the bubbly tartness of champagne. Instead of doing a fruit platter, you could also place a few fruit slices on toothpicks like a shish-kabob.

2. Create a seafood platter with easy to eat tidbits. Smoked salmon and shellfish work well with champagne, including mussels, clams and oysters. Of course, caviar has always been a champagne staple, and lobster, when cooked in a light white sauce, also pairs well with it.

3. Make a cheese plate that consists mostly of aged cheeses. Gouda, goat cheese, Parmesan and cheddar work well.

4. Serve a few choice Asian dishes if you want something hot and a bit more substantial. Won tons, spring rolls and many Asian dishes that contain almonds will do. Sushi is also a favorite of many champagne lovers.

5. Test out a few dishes where egg or mushroom is the main ingredient. Stuffed mushrooms are popular at parties, as are cold mushroom salads. You could also serve them raw with some vegetable dip or ranch dressing. Deviled eggs are also typical party fair. You could even do salmon deviled eggs to combine two ingredients that pair well with champagne.

6. Create a small chocolate buffet. Though many vanilla and pound cake items go well with champagne, most people like the decadence of champagne and chocolate. Chocolate fountains are always a hit at parties, though they can be expensive and messy. Chocolate fondue could work if you already have a fondue maker, or you could simply create a few choice items. Brownie squares and chocolate covered strawberries, bananas, grapes, nuts, raisins, rice crispy treats and marshmallows are fun and easy to eat.

Tags: well with, well with champagne, Asian dishes, could also, fruit platter, that pair