Dinner Party Plates: 2 Simple Starters for Sharing

A good dinner party doesn't need complicated menus.

The best evening with friends often doesn't come from elaborate dishes, but from the right moments: when everyone reaches for the center of the table at the same time, when someone asks "what's in there?" and when the food looks so good that you briefly forget to take a picture of it. Small sharing dishes create exactly this atmosphere – uncomplicated to prepare, generous to enjoy and always a real eye-catcher on the set table.

With our Nest Bowls, two simple appetizers transform into a feast that feels like an evening you won't soon forget.

You don't need a culinary degree to serve impressive and delicious sharing plates. A few simple principles are enough:

Combine creamy, fresh, and acidic.

The contrast makes all the difference. A creamy cream cheese needs the acidity of pickles; a buttery burrata thrives with fresh herb topping. If you have these three components on the table, you automatically conjure up a harmonious dish – no matter how simple the ingredients.

Serve dishes directly in the center.

Sharing means exactly that: sharing. Simply place the bowls on the table and let all your guests help themselves. This creates a relaxed, inviting atmosphere – and saves you the hassle of plating individual portions.

Use different sizes and heights.

A small bowl next to a large one, a shallow bowl next to a tall glass – the interplay of different vessels makes the table visually interesting. Our Nest Bowls in 2 different sizes S and M are made precisely for this: together on the table, they create a harmonious picture that doesn't feel staged.

Finish with herbs, oil, and toppings.

The final touch decides. A splash of good olive oil, fresh basil, or a few sesame seeds on top – and a simple dish looks like you put a lot of thought into it. Which you did – just not for long.

This plant-based cream cheese is creamy, fresh, and with a hint of umami – and it can be prepared wonderfully in advance. Combined with juicy tomatoes and acidic pickles, it creates a dish that should not be missed on any summer evening.

Preparation

1. Start by preparing the cream cheese: Drain the tofu, pat it dry, and break it into small pieces. Add it to the blender with all other cream cheese ingredients and blend until a smooth, creamy mass is formed. Scrape down the sides if necessary and add a little yogurt for extra creaminess as desired.

2. Pour the prepared cream cheese into an airtight jar and let it firm up in the refrigerator. It keeps for 3–5 days and can be prepared well in advance.

3. Slice the tomatoes shortly before serving the salad.

4. To serve: Spread the cream cheese generously in the Nest Bowl M. Pile the tomatoes on top, drizzle with olive oil, and garnish with pickles, fresh basil, sesame, and black pepper.

Enjoy your meal and have fun sharing!

This dish thrives on contrast: creamy burrata meets tart, fresh, frozen pickles – a twist that sounds simple yet makes a surprisingly big impression. The Nest Bowl M provides the perfect setting for the burrata.

Both dishes combine wonderfully – as a starter, as part of a larger dinner table, or simply as a relaxed sharing dinner with friends. The Nest Bowl S and Nest Bowl M side by side on the table, plus a Sour Melon Spritzer – and the evening can begin.

If you're looking for more inspiration, in our blog post Pickling Green Tomatoes: Summer Pickles with Fennel and Tarragon, we show you how to make the perfect pickles for both recipes yourself.