How To Create Edible Art For Your Soiree

Imagine an edible work of art for your next cocktail party. This is a delicious how-to idea that can be adapted to the mood of your special event.

For a corporate event, perhaps a company logo or name would be appropriate.
For an engagement party, perhaps the names of the couple or their monograms.
For an artsy affair, how about a Miro-style abstract design?
The ideas are as unlimited as your imagination.

The concept is known as caviar painting and is actually quite simple. Give yourself two days and if you are artsy, you should find the process to be lots of fun!

For ingredients you will need:

cream cheese
butter
red caviar
black caviar
golden caviar
fine crackers
(and perhaps some additional items based on your chosen design)

For kitchen supplies you will need:

mixing bowl
mixer
spreading knife or spatula
stemmed cake platter
plastic wrap

Day 1: In a bowl combine 4 parts cream cheese and 1 part butter. Spread on a stemmed cake plate. Make sure to leave about a 1/4 inch edge. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Day 2: Remove plastic wrap. With a sharp knife, lightly trace the outline of your chosen design into the cheese mixture.

Fill in the design with red, black and golden caviar. Cover and refrigerate until just prior to your party.

Serve with crackers and flutes of bubbly champagne for an elegant, sophisticated soiree!

Your guests are sure to "ooh" and "ah" at the culinary artistry that went into creating this creative one-of-a-kind masterpiece.