I have good friends who come and have coffee at my home because they know my deafness makes it difficult for me to follow conversations in cafes etc. because of the background noise. I’m very grateful for this and always try to offer nice cake or biscuits with the coffee. However more and more of my friends are having to eschew such things due to diabetes, heart disease etc. what can I offer instead? I’d like it to feel like a bit of a treat. Any suggestions?
We were invited to some friends for coffee, it was about eleven o'clock in the morning and they had some little croissants that I'd never seem before, they were delicious with the coffee.
I am diabetic, but quite well controlled. A treat thing I find is to have some savoury biscuits, some with poppy seeds or sesame seeds or crackers and put some smoked salmon on just before they come in and I either add a little lemon slice to put the juice over or a dash of mayonaisse
It sort of satisfies on various level. Quick to do, small individually, but fresh and easy to servc, you can offer some strips of celery with it too. Nothing much to do to make it or clear up afterwards
Slices of cucumber with peel left on, a little smoked salmon and a tiny dollop of cream cheese. These small mouthfuls look very attractive and taste great.
Thank you all for your help. I think smoked salmon on biscuits or cucumber sounds the way to go. Perhaps with some little bowls of cherry tomatoes, grapes etc.
Could you offer cake/biscuits and some of the various options people have suggested so people can choose for themselves?
Only mentioned this because I rarely drink coffee as I find it too bitter but with something sweet alongside it's a nice occasional treat. Kaffee und kuchen didn't become a tradition for nothing
Iceland sell a rather nice quiche. I'd offer it with tea and coffee and took some to a coffee morning recently. Recently I discovered vegetable crisps in Lidl .
Would it be heresy to suggest that good coffee and company in pleasant surroundings are enough in themselves? Nice china, fresh flowers in your sitting room, a warm and relaxed environment are worth more than cakes and biscuits.
I take your point Rosiesmawagain, maybe I’m overthinking this. I think because baking is on of the few things I do well I’ve always enjoyed giving people homemade cake etc.
Would it be heresy to suggest that good coffee and company in pleasant surroundings are enough in themselves? Nice china, fresh flowers in your sitting room, a warm and relaxed environment are worth more than cakes and biscuits.
I think this is an excellent answer! Failing that, why not ask them to bring their own snacks- that way you'll get good ideas!
Maybe have a Lovely box of special chocs - Friars, Hotel Choc or a local artisanal make - the quality/size/price mean folk will almost never take more than one. So friends can have something special but it will not be enough to damage?
Diabetics cannot eat chocolate… or .perhaps a square of over 70% dark chocolate a day. There have been some quite unintelligent suggestions here and some very thoughtful ones. It is difficult trying to control one’s blood sugar without having inappropriate ‘treat ‘ offered .
A small charcuterie plate would be nice. It combines some protein items like thinly sliced meats along with cheeses and assorted finger friendly cut up veggies like mini tomatoes, celery and carrot sticks, some olives and pickles. Serve this with some sliced French bread. I always include one type of dip. All this with very little carbs. No need for cakes when you present this. Look on Pinterest for plate assembly ideas.