When it comes to event catering in New Orleans, few things set the stage better than a well-crafted hors d’oeuvres platter. You can’t be in the heart of one of the best cuisine cities in the country and have food that’s just passable. With Elysian Events Catering, hosts can create a truly memorable experience, showcasing both the depth and variety of New Orleans flavors in each bite through everyone’s favorite event bites–hors d’oeuvres.
Your hors d’oeuvres platter isn’t complete without a good amount of thought into how to balance your food. While you don’t need one of every category of food on this list, including a few options for seafood, vegetarian, meaty, unique pairings, and classic southern fare will ensure balanced offerings for a truly unique hors d’oeuvres platter everyone will remember. Our classic cuisine and creative twists are sure to be a hit with local and out-of-state guests.
Seafood Creations for a Taste of the Gulf
Elysian Events shines in seafood selections, making these a must for your platter to bring in flavors unique to the Gulf Coast. For years we operated food stalls at the historic St. Roch Market and Auction House Market, continuing to develop creative and classic dishes. Seafood has a particularly special place in our heart, being at the core of so many dishes we create. Some of our incredible seafood hors d’oeuvres include:
- Ceviche with Gulf Shrimp and Fish: Marinated with fresh citrus, tomato, jalapeño, and cilantro for a zesty bite.
- Shrimp Remoulade on Romaine Hearts: Garnished with tomato and crispy shallots, this brings a fresh crunch to the platter.
- Louisiana Crab Ravigote on Cucumber: A light, refreshing bite with cucumber and crispy shallots.
- Avocado Toast with Lump Crab and Chili Oil: The creamy avocado contrasts beautifully with fresh lump crab, adding richness.
- Mini Louisiana Crab Cakes: Served with roasted poblano aioli, these cakes are packed with local crab flavor.
- Cornmeal-Crusted Crispy Oysters: A classic bite with smoked tomato vinaigrette and a touch of toasted horseradish for a Southern kick.
Is your mouth watering yet? An hors d’oeuvres platter should be something that excites guests and primes everyone for a wonderful night. We created our menu to do just that while keeping authentic New Orleans fare at the core of our catering.
Vegetarian Delights with a Local Twist
While many of our hors d’oeuvres contain meat, we never wanted to be known as a catering company that treated vegetarian options as an afterthought. One of the best things you can do at an event is curate an environment where everyone feels thought of and known. While we may be biased, we believe that the food is the best place to start and accommodating your guests’ dietary restrictions is one of the most important decisions you can make to ensure your event starts off right.
These are some of our vegetarian options that will leave everybody searching for more:
- Bruschetta with Whipped Ricotta: Topped with confit cherry tomatoes and arugula pesto, this option is both flavorful and fresh.
- Fig in a Blanket with Goat Cheese: A fun twist on a classic with hot honey for a sweet-savory profile.
- Creole Eggplant-Stuffed Mini Peppers: Featuring roasted poblano aioli for a hint of spice.
- Artichoke & Feta Tartlets with Hot Honey: This tartlet combines artichoke, feta, and a drizzle of hot honey with candied lemon.
- Watermelon Tartare with Chili Oil and Mint: For a refreshing twist, this vegan option balances sweetness with spice.
How’s that for a spread? Bringing a little more creativity into your vegetarian options is a really special way to both excite your vegetarian guests and treat non-vegetarian guests to food they’ll keep thinking about for weeks to come.
Meaty Favorites with New Orleans Flair
Hors d’oeuvres platters for meat lovers are often centered around the meat itself without much creativity or flair. That’s often because you don’t want to over complicate a dish that should be eaten with your fingers, but that doesn’t mean you need to limit your event to meat without much more going on.
We believe our recipes strike that balance perfectly, showcasing the delicious meats guests hope for while giving them a little extra New Orleans flair we’re known for. With these dishes, we want to add a little complexity without overcomplicating things:
- Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Pepper Jelly Glaze: Combining salty, sweet, and smoky flavors in one bite.
- Muffuletta Canapé: A nod to a New Orleans classic, featuring salami, mortadella, provolone, and olive salad.
- Boudin Balls with Satsuma Creole Mustard Glaze: An authentic Southern favorite with a hint of citrus.
- Alligator Sausage with Crystal Aioli: Paired with a pickled mirliton slaw, this adds an adventurous twist.
- Blackened Hanger Steak with Blue Cheese and Louisiana Fig: This option brings a rich, earthy flavor profile with a hint of sweetness.
- Smoked Duck with Cherry-Pecan Compote: A sophisticated option, balancing smoky duck with a touch of fruity sweetness.
Meats are something many people get excited about when they see an hors d’oeuvres platter, and it’s for good reason. Your meat dishes often anchor the rest of your food, so carefully choosing your meats to include with your platter will set the tone for your platter as a whole.
Unique and Inventive Pairings
What’s a hors d’oeuvres platter without including something that surprises your guests? While specifically meat and vegetarian options can wow your guests, we highly recommend including something that will draw peoples’ curiosity first. We’ve created some of our more unique pairings with conversation in mind.
Any of these pairings can spark conversations at your event, which is something we really pride ourselves on:
- Tuna Tartar with Watermelon and Chili Oil: A refreshing pairing, enhanced by mint for a touch of coolness.
- Blackened Tuna with Bourbon-Soaked Cherries: A uniquely Southern flavor, with bourbon bringing depth to the dish.
- Shrimp Canapé with Avocado Aioli: Topped with pickled red onion and bacon jam for a creamy, tangy flavor balance.
- Mini Crawfish Boil Bites: Complete with spiced potatoes, andouille, and corn custard for a true taste of Louisiana.
Through including unique and inventive pairings in your hors d’oeuvres platter, you can turn your food into a point of conversation. While we certainly expect our smoked brisket to spark conversation, there’s something about a dish like blackened tuna with bourbon-soaked cherries that compels people to talk about it.
Classic Southern and New Orleans-Inspired Fares
There’s a certain amount of expectation that comes along with hosting events in Louisiana, and our hors d’oeuvres menu reflects that. People often expect to see local cuisine on the menu, which is why we often recommend including some classic southern and New Orleans inspired fares. It’s comfort food for the locals, while giving out-of-town guests a little taste of the place we call home.
A well-rounded hors d’oeuvres platter is not complete without a few Southern and New Orleans classics:
- Andouille Sausage en Croute: A familiar flavor in a refined presentation with Steen’s Creole mustard glaze.
- Seared Duck with Spoonbread: Topped with a port and roasted shallot glaze, this is a rich, luxurious bite.
- Roasted Mushroom Canapé with Honeyed Goat Cheese: For an earthy, savory option, the honeyed goat cheese adds a touch of sweetness.
- Pimento Cheese Canapé with Pickled Green Tomato Relish: A twist on a Southern classic with grit crackers for a crunchy base.
It doesn’t just stop there though, you’ll find a lot of our hors d’oeuvres menu very familiar with a little flair thrown in to make our classic dishes authentically Elysian.
Let Elysian Events Catering Make Your Vision a Reality
With a wide array of options from seafood to vegetarian, our hors d’oeuvres are crafted to impress, showcasing the best of New Orleans’ flavors. By including an assortment of these unique bites, you’ll ensure your guests have an unforgettable experience that reflects the vibrant culinary culture of the Crescent City.
At Elysian Events Catering, we pride ourselves on our attention to detail and excellent service. Contact us to get started! We can’t wait to build an hors d’oeuvres platter your guests will rave about for years to come.
