Can this be a coincidence? First I find an idea to make boring bread stick more appealing and the next day I find the perfect bread sticks! I read a Christmas interview with chef James Martin (of Saturday Kitchen fame) and when ask for a ‘novel canapé idea for Christmas parties’, he suggest an idea he saw at the hotel Cipriani in Venice (I love Venice!). The bread sticks I found are made from organic spelt flower (Bastoncini Integrali di Farro, brand BuonBio). They taste great and look much more rustic than the regular ones.

The suggestion: Buy some bread sticks, dip them in cream cheese and roll them in chilli flakes and sesame seeds and poppy seeds. Or try wrapping them in Parma ham. Stick them in a glass to serve.

For my first attempt I also tried crushed red peppercorns, onion seeds and nigella seeds and chopped fresh chives. Because I am a bit of a health freak at times I ‘slimmed’ the cream cheese a bit with yoghurt. This works well, except for the fact that it becomes a bit thinner resulting in the cheese very slowly migration south when put in a glass. So instead of flowers I offer you this bunch of first attempt bread sticks with cream cheese. I can also see this as great entertainment for the children. Dipping the bread sticks in cream cheese and then in a dipping of their choice (no chilli flakes of course!).

Have fun!