Finger food

From hand to mouth - what sounds like finger food is actually the natural way of eating. Food was raw and grew by the wayside. Drinking vessels are known from the early days of human history, as are jugs and bowls made of naturally occurring materials. Wooden plates were only added in the 16th century. Before, everyone reached into the same bowl or pot together. But people were far removed from the luxury of choosing dishes that we know today. But they were closer to nature, for example with pads made of banana leaves, which are still common today in some regions with appropriate vegetation than plates and packaging.

Difficult beginnings of the plastic ban

Since the plastic ban in Germany, the demand for alternative disposable tableware made from natural raw materials has increased. This attracts dubious traders. Tests in laboratories could identify harmful residues in some products and it is not always declared where the raw materials come from. Consumers are therefore well advised to deal with it more intensively. When selecting its products, Wisefood pays attention to sustainability from production to disposal. When it comes to crockery and cutlery, we also make sure that it is healthy.

Finger food saves on disposable crockery

Eating out of your hands was considered the norm until the beginning of the 20th century. Century as a synonym for lack of time or bad education. You sat down at the table at the fixed hour and ate your meal. That was for breakfast as well as for lunch or dinner, it included the Wednesday cake and of course the celebratory coffee table on Sundays. A lot of work for the housewife and little plastic waste.

Quick finger food now takes the place of meals at home. In the short space of half a century, society and eating habits have changed significantly. Many eat on the go and like to eat from their hands. Finger food requires less individual packaging and saves on cutlery. Especially at larger events, the avoidable amount of plastic is enormous. Gone are the days of overflowing trash cans, oversized portions and unpopular side dishes. Finger food puts exactly what tastes good on the plate.

Heir to haute cuisine

The first finger food was served at the reception for the opening of Berlin Airport in 1923. This presentation of exquisite and artistically decorated dishes found friends all over the European continent. Top chefs devised new creations especially for this. The arrangement came to the guest attractively garnished on noble materials such as porcelain or silver. In Berlin, the appetizers were still called Cocktail Titbits. In the years 1960-1970, canapés were on everyone's lips.

Street festivals, parties or picnics

Where the individual still remembers to take their own thermal mug with them to enjoy it to have them filled on the go, the idea reaches its limits at larger events. Strict hygiene rules prohibit serving food in containers you have brought with you, and who likes to drink a coffee from the same mug from which they previously enjoyed a beer or two? Since the plastic ban in Germany, market traders and outdoor catering have faced major challenges. Each individual is faced with the task of not leaving any rubbish behind after eating, which will remain for several thousand years and - if made of plastic - also waste a precious and finite resource.

Disposable or reusable ?

The question hardly ever arises anymore. However, she always appears when the family is planning a picnic trip or friends meet for a self-organized beach party.Wooden crockery and cutlery is an appealing alternative for people on the go. Big events prefer solutions like these, as wood is more resistant to humidity and other weather conditions. Those who can use returnables, but takeaway is more popular and the regulations are strict for that. Solutions are offered by disposable tableware made from sustainable raw materials or edible tableware that is free of problematic substances. Finger food fits on a serving.

What is the ideal finger food?

With a little imagination, any dish is suitable as finger food if it can be divided into small individual portions and with two or three bites have been eaten. It is more difficult with hot food, easier with cold. Caution is advised with fish if the finger food is stored in the hot sun for a long time. This also applies to raw meat products. If the finger food is vegetarian and dairy-free, it will remain appetizing for a long time.

Then the finger food should ideally move from hand to mouth. Skewers from toothpicks to shashlik skewers hold together what is in danger of falling apart and help when putting it on the plate. Stainless steel is reusable, but almost a little too dangerous for a high-volume outdoor event. Wooden skewers are hardly less sharp, but break more quickly. In any case, it is enough for a safe stab through fruit, vegetables, soft sweets or other things.

Less solid food portioned in the waffle cup

Everything that is heavy due to its consistency shape and comes in bite-sized portions fits perfectly into a mini waffle cup. Nachos for dipping bring semi-solid compositions to the mouth. The slightly larger edition with 340 ml is more voluminous and ideal for a self-assembled dessert made of fruit and sweets. Another advantage is the flat shape of the bottom. This is how various individual portions with different fillings are arranged on a tray. Let your imagination run wild and place colored rings of finger food or use them to create a colorful garland as a table decoration.

Finger food recipes from all over the world: Mexico

Flat, filled and rolled Flatbread fits well in the hand and can be eaten without any cutlery. Wraps or tortillas are part of traditional Tex-Mex cuisine. The thin flatbreads hold together a fresh mix of vegetables and meat. Beans are an important ingredient in Mexican cuisine and are filling. Spicy dressings give the roll an individual touch, but guacamole also tastes good with it. For this you need one or more ripe avocados. After dividing, take out the core, remove the flesh from the skin and mash it with a fork. A little lemon or lime juice prevents the avocado from turning brown and looking unsightly within a short time. Incidentally, this has no effect on the taste. Finish off with garlic and add salt and pepper to taste. Some recipes suggest finely diced tomatoes that you fold in with a spoon. Done.

Sushi - the bite from Asia

Maki sushi are small rolls made of nori (algae), rice and often with a filling of fish or surimi, or egg or avocados. With a little practice, sushi can be made in the kitchen at home. A bamboo mat (makisu) on which you first lay out the algae is crucial for success. Now put some prepared sticky rice on top and spread it out in an oblong shape. In the middle you put the filling. Raw tuna is just as popular as smoked salmon if you and your guests like to eat fish. Finally, roll everything together using the bamboo mat and close the ends.With a sharp knife you now cut individual portions, which can even be eaten by hand in Asia. Wasabi and soy sauce in a dip bowl give the sushi roll the final kick.

The so-called nigiri sushi is easier to prepare. To do this, you form the rice into small rolls by hand and cover it. In strict Japan, sushi is now considered a kind of fast food. You are allowed to eat it with your fingers without violating the strict eating rules. If you want to serve your sushi in a conventional way, add chopsticks.

Classic finger food ideas

Chicken wings have made their way into domestic kitchens from the USA . A delicious breading coats the wings and everything is evenly browned all over in the fryer. For more crunchiness in the breading, try mixing some cornflakes into the flour or replacing it entirely. For adults, try beer breading, where you mix a viscous batter of flour and beer. Then pull the chicken pieces through so that all sides are covered. Quickly place in the hot fat of the pan. Attention: It splatters.

Meatballs for lunch in the office or for the family are not yet a challenge, but with the large number of meatballs for a buffet you save time with the oven tube. Fry the meatballs in portions on all sides until they take on an appetizing brown colour. Then you put them in the oven at moderate temperatures until they are done. Meat often tastes better the slower it cooks. From 70 °C, protein coagulates and the meatball becomes firm.

The battle at the (cold) buffet

Everyone knows it and films have already been made about it: As soon as that Buffet is open, the scene resembles a predator feeding, although only friends and relatives were invited. Crockery is available for guests to pass through quickly and for shorter waiting times. Bamboo, palm leaves, wood and stainless steel leave no traces in nature after the finger food party. You can find plates and bowls made from natural raw materials in stores. Wood has proven its worth when it comes to cutlery. The knives cut meat, forks pierce it without losing a tine, and the spoons have no sharp edges.

The french fries fork is also suitable for finger food, in its original wooden version. What is left over can perhaps be used in the campfire and is in no way harmful in the residual waste. Adhering residues attract animals, which is problematic when composting. The information on the packaging decides whether crockery and cutlery are returned to the cycle via the organic waste bin or the compost. At Wisefood, all packaging is harmless.

Raise your cups

No party without a drink. Mugs and glasses are environmentally friendly par excellence and unfortunately share the disadvantages of porcelain: they are heavy and fragile. In addition, the bigger the party, the less you want to do the obligatory washing-up. Disposable tableware is not only justified at major events, but also in the private sphere, if it does not replace better solutions and is sustainable. Hot drinks come in an edible mug with a handle. The environmentally conscious party guest enjoys sparkling wine and wine from the Beer Pong mug and drinks shots from edible waffle mugs with a capacity of 110 ml. Disposable products from sustainable paper production do not overexploit the forests and the edible spoon is like a biscuit with coffee or on ice cream.

Finger food for children's birthday parties

It's an exciting one Day in the life of every child and also for parents it is a big holiday: the child's birthday. In order to make the day as grandiose as possible for the little ones, you can let your imagination run wild.Instead of sumptuous meals, small bites are suitable for children, which they eat according to how hungry they are. Sugar is a must, but there is nothing wrong with it if it is something more nutritious. You can offer practically any dish in miniature form.

From burgers to the popular spaghetti with tomato sauce, the dishes are ready for visitors and the birthday child. You can use edible sticks to make sweets such as cake pops or popsicles. As long as the children are younger, individual reusable cups are more suitable because every child recognizes their cup. This is difficult for the youngest with cups that look the same. They forget in the game where they parked it. Older people like to drink lemonade with an edible straw, which can also be found at cocktail parties.

What snack for a champagne reception?

Hearty and naturally salty dishes go well with alcohol. Some prefer it when the finger food is sweet and makes sparkling wine, prosecco or champagne taste a bit drier. A mix of these flavors is part of every champagne reception. If the reception is standing, appetizers are a must. Following the Berlin model, at a wedding, for example, the arrangement in which the snacks are presented is important. Depending on the occasion, it can be a little more festive, even if the finger food dishes are disposable. Arrangements are recommended for friends and informal company, so that there is a large selection and all eating habits are taken into account.

Finger food when ill

What Sounds like party snacks and casual company to some, is sheer necessity to others. Being confined to bed, painful joint diseases or dementia take on characteristics that make it difficult to use a knife and fork. Giving food takes time. Even if help with feeding goes hand in hand with social closeness, those affected often find it undignified to allow themselves to be fed.

The increased urge to move in dementia patients and the increasing forgetting makes it difficult to regulate meals. A bite, on the other hand, goes quickly in the mouth. Colorful vegetable snacks, cheese bites, boiled eggs, soft meat, sliced ​​fruit, sweet mini tarts or savory tarts are just a few suggestions. Anything that tastes good and can be cut into pieces is suitable. Caregiving relatives and professional caregivers benefit just as much as those affected, because the way to the heart is through the stomach.


Sources:
https://de.wikipedia.org /wiki/Essentials
https://help.orf.at/stories/3207739/
https://meeting-snackservice.de/info/fingerfood- crowning-of-culinary-art-the-definition
https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sushi
https://www.pflege- durch-angehoerige.de/demenz-verständig-teil-6-fingerfood-die-ernaehrungs-alternative-bei-demenz/#Welche_Speisen_eignen_sich_fuer_Fingerfood
https://www.koch-mit.de/kueche /fingerfood-ideas-for-the-champagne-reception/