Victorian Tea Rose Appetizer (Print)

An elegant Victorian-style appetizer combining folded salami and pepperoni roses presented in delicate teacups.

# Ingredients:

→ Meats

01 - 18 large thin slices salami
02 - 18 large thin slices pepperoni

→ Garnishes

03 - 6 small porcelain teacups
04 - Fresh basil leaves or baby arugula, optional
05 - Edible flowers (pansies or violets), optional

→ Board Accompaniments (optional)

06 - Assorted crackers
07 - Mild cheeses (brie, havarti)
08 - Grapes or berries

# Instructions:

01 - Lay 6 slices of salami in a slightly overlapping straight line on a clean surface, each covering about one-third of the previous slice.
02 - Roll the line of salami slices tightly from one end to create a spiral; stand upright and gently loosen petals to resemble a rose.
03 - Repeat the process using 6 slices of pepperoni to form a pepperoni rose.
04 - Prepare a second set of each rose so there are 3 salami and 3 pepperoni roses in total.
05 - Optionally, place a basil leaf or a few baby arugula leaves at the base of each teacup.
06 - Carefully set each salami or pepperoni rose into a teacup, adjusting petals for a full, natural look.
07 - Optionally, insert a small edible flower beside each rose for decoration.
08 - Position teacups on a serving board surrounded by crackers, cheeses, and fruits as desired.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • They look so impressive that guests always assume you spent hours in the kitchen, when really it takes less than half an hour.
  • Zero cooking required means no stress, just pure creative fun with your hands.
  • The cured meats give you all the flavor you need, so the focus stays on the presentation magic.
02 -
  • Ask the deli counter specifically for paper-thin slices; pre-packaged meats are often slightly thicker and will crack when you roll them.
  • If a petal tears as you're unrolling, don't panic—tuck it back in or embrace the rustic look; real roses have imperfect petals too.
  • Keep everything cool until the moment you serve; the roses hold their shape better when the meat is chilled, and the teacups feel more elegant cold in your hand.
03 -
  • The deli counter is your friend; build a relationship with whoever slices the meat and explain what you're making so they can slice accordingly.
  • Practice your first rose when no one is watching; by the second one, your hands will understand the motion and the rest become almost automatic.
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