With the festive season fast approaching, it’s that time of the year to catch up with friends and family before Christmas. Whether you are hosting a party, or have been asked to bring a plate of nibblies along to a someone’s else’s gathering, these tasty morsels will be a hit. Quick, easy and elegant, the spread can be made ahead of time and only needs to be spooned into the pre-bought pastry cups when ready to serve. Perfect with a glass of bubbles!

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This delicious dip can be put together in a matter of minutes. It’s lovely served as part of an antipasto platter, or on its own with grilled crostini or fresh crusty bread. Confit garlic is available from gourmet stores, but if you’re not able to find it it, just roast 3 cloves of garlic by wrapping them unpeeled into foil and putting them in a 180ºC oven for 20 minutes or until soft when pressed, then squeeze the garlic from the skins. The flavour of the dip improves with age, so you can make it 1 or 2 days ahead of time. Perfect for entertaining.

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It’s the party season, and finger food is a great way to feed your guests.  As well as lending itself to serving a variety of flavours, colours and textures, it encourages people to mingle with other guests (rather than remain in one place if a sit-down meal is being served). The anticipation of waiting for what the next platter will bring is all part of the fun!

This dish is one of the most popular in our Cocktail Food Cooking Class. I’ve not met a person that hasn’t ooo’d and ahh’d over these crispy wonton cases that house a Thai-inspired chicken filling.  Both the cases and the chicken mixture can be made up to 2 days in advance, making it perfect entertaining food.

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Appetisers, cocktail food, canapés, finger food….regardless of what you call it, there is something particularly enticing about a selection of small pieces of food, especially when they’re homemade. Because I entertain often and have prepared numerous pieces of cocktail food over the years I know just how much work goes into the preparation, which makes me appreciate it all the more.

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I served these Smoked Salmon and Basil Mini-Frittatas at my recent Christmas Cocktail Party.  They were a winner, and disappeared from the platters quicker than I could refill them!  [Read more →]

Olives are a welcome food to serve with pre-dinner drinks or at a cocktail party. Yes you can readily buy pre-marinated olives, but why not make your own?   Home-marinated olives are so much better than most shop-bought marinated olives and it’s always rewarding to be able to say “I made it myself” when your guests declare how delicious something is! [Read more →]

Party season is well and truly here, and finger food is the way to go for cocktail parties and informal get-togethers. Rather than serve chips, nuts, dips and crackers, why not put together a few easy canapés that will be sure to impress your guests? Here are 5 ideas for canapés that can be put together in minutes:
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