lazy ladybugs

a cute canapé.

canapé: 

-a cracker or a small, thin piece of bread or toast spread with cheese, meat, or relish and served as an appetizer.

-a small, prepared and usually decorative food, held in the fingers and often eaten in one bite.

I personally am disgusted by the insect itself due to bad experiences during an infestation of them when I was younger.  They were everywhere, in every colour.  Buzzing and biting.  Yuck.  BUT I do have to say they are one thing I find cute out of nature and not alive. 

I made these to take to a barbeque with a bunch of friends. They were super easy and didn't require too much work, but I suggest leaving yourself enough time for artistic detail.  Everything always takes me longer than I anticipate...I ended up being a little late for the barbeque. BUT overall a great appetizer for a lazy guest to bring to any event!

lazy ladybugs:
-cherry or grape tomatoes

-pitted black olives

-cracker

-feta cheese

-baby spinach
-balsamic vinegar
-black pepper
-sesame seeds

*you could use whatever you want!  Any crackers, small slices of bagette or artisan crips which would also be delicious.  Any type of cheese or spread.  Cream cheese, cheddar, mozarella, humus, babganoush.  And of course the leaf is also up to you.  Baby spinach is all I had at the time but arugula, romaine, fresh basil... the possibilities are ENDLESS

So.  Grab a cracker.  Place a thin slice of feta on cracker.  Top feta with baby spinach leaf.  Slice tomato in half lengthwise.  Cut out small triangular sliver to create the wings.  Place atop baby spinach.  Slice olive in half lenghwise, then again widthwise.  Place in front of tomato to create the head.  Spritz with balsamic vinegar.  This adds delicious flavour while also giving the pepper something to stick to on the tomato.  Find large black pepper pieces or cut up pepeprcorns.  Place decoratively on tomato.  Place seasame seeds for eyes.  Enjoy! (with friends)!

I made it to the barbeque finally.  Friends.  Kabobs.  Souvlaki.  Ladybugs.  Homemade cookies.  Bananagrams.

a healthful hint:

I chose Ryvita Rye & Oat Bran crackers because they are a great low calorie, basically non-fat, low sodium cracker that is reasonably high in fibre! The fibre works to make you feel fuller and the fact that its very low in sodium is a good idea since feta cheese is extremely salty BUT you can reduce the sodium in the feta by soaking it in water for a few minutes and then rinsing. Also even full-fat feta is lower in fat than most cheeses and there are low and non-fat options as well while its also an excellent source of calcium!  The tomato on top of all this goodness adds a splash of vitamins A and C, making this an easy, healthy and cute snack!