Simplest Stuffed Water Chestnuts

Beginning with fresh water chestnuts and soft, fresh cream cheese (American or imported), you have the base for a delectable cocktail presentation to be seasoned and decorated as whimsically as you like. Select a light garnish or herb to transform the simple nibble; top with a tiny shrimp, a fragment (cutouts are fun) of grilled sweet pepper, a curl of smoked salmon, a dusting of fines herbes, salmon roe, snippets of ham, minced chives, shreds of pickled pink ginger—or all of the abo