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Nibbles in no time

It's always good to have something to offer as people arrive. These small treats keep them occupied, goes with drinks - and covers for whatever is till finishing cooking in the kitchen!

Here are a few to get you started. We'll be adding more, so keep checking as the days get closer to Christmas.

 

Salmon and wasabi bites

Ultra-easy, and don't worry about the salmon. If your guests are vegetarian use a dab of mashed avocado instead.

All you do is top nori or seaweed crackers (from the supemarket) with a small piece of smoked salmon, then pipe a little Kewpie wasabi mayonnaise (find it in Asian shops or gourmet food aisles) and garnish with a feather of dill or fennel leaves.

Quick, delicious - and healthy!

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Parmesan crisps

All you need for these is a Cafe (Sandwich) Press and some grated parmesan cheese. Use a sheet of baking paper to cover the top and bottom plate of the Cafe Press and put spoonfuls of grated parmesan well apart. Close the press and cook until the light goes on and they are crisp are golden. The crisps are fragile, but a lovely garnish to a salad or fruit platter.

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Warmed olives

Simple, but so good. Choose the best olives you can find, warm them for a few seconds in the microwave, and drizzle with top quality olive oil. Add a sprig of rosemary if you like, or some crushed garlic.

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Macadamias many ways

A healthy Australian way to begin the meal.

Check out these ideas....

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Jalepeno bites

A tasty nibble before the main meal. Make them beforehand if you like, and freeze, then reheat briefly in the oven or a frypan. 

Here's the recipe...

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TEN MORE finger foods....made in seconds!

• Jalapeno dip - whiz some bottled jalapeno slices with sour cream, and use as a dip for carrot sticks or celery
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• Grated cheese and chilli dip – whiz together grated cheese sour cream and fresh red chillies according to your taste (or heat tolerance!)
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• Cucumber bites - top each round of cucumber with half a cherry tomato or tiny bocconcini, and top with a dab of pesto
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• Turkey rolls - top sliced turkey with some stuffing and cranberry sauce, roll it up and heat in a sandwich press
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• Ham and asparagus rolls - trim green asparagus spears and wrap each in a large slice of ham. Cook in a sandwich press until ham is browning
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• Witlof wraps - put some blue cheese and grated apple in witlof (endive) leaves and arrange on a plate
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• Manchego marriage - sliced dried pears are an ideal match for thin slices of manchego cheese
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• Hot dates - stuff fresh dates with chilli cheese ( or use crystalised gnger and cream cheese)
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• Asian pick-ups - pan-fry ikan bilis (tiny salted fish from Asian stores) until brown and crisp, toss roasted peanuts into the pan for just a few seconds, drain on kitchen paper then serve
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• Honey  heaven - spread truffle cheese on plain crackers then drizzle with honey.

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So easy you don't need a recipe or pictures!

 

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For the Christmas lunch table

I am not going to attempt to tell you how to cook a ham or turkey in 10 minutes. These big staples can easily be sourced ready-cooked, or pre-prepared. For cold dishes, think, shucked oysters, cooked prawns and a side of smoked salmon.

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However, if you want to cook a ham or turkey easily - why not use the barbecue?

Find out how....

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Chorizo chilli nachos

Remove skin from chorizo sausages, slice and fry, breaking into smaller pieces as they cook. Add some water and chilli sauce or chilli jam to taste, then simmer for ten minutes. Can be made ahead and frozen or stored in the refrigerator.

Place corn chips in a large ovenproof dish or plate and sprinkle with grated cheese. Bake at 200C for 10 minutes or until cheese is beginning to brown. Top with chorizo chilli mixture and bake or grill for another five minutes or so. Serve with avocado and sour cream, if liked, and simply break off pieces to go with salads and other dishes.

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Any cook at Christmas knows that it is the side dishes that take the time and trouble - unless you are smart.

Try these to add a healthy freshness to your. meal:

Fennel chilli salad

With just a hint of chilli and coriander, this adds a slightly Asian taste to the meal.

See the recipe.....

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Walnut fig salad

Early figs come in around Christmas and their flavour is usually delicious.

Here's the recipe....

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Fabulous fetta tart

This will have everyone  smiling. Just omit the pancetta for vegetarians. Substitute tofu for the fetta for vegans.

See how quick and easy it is....

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A showstopper centrepiece

See the recipe here....

 

WATCH this space.... for more Christmas lunch recipes right up until Christmas!
 

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Something sweet

Chocolate fondue

This is the ideal casual help-yourself dessert. Just as good for lunch on The Big Day as it is for drop-in guests.

Check out the recipe and add your own variations....

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Bailey’s ice cream

Two ingredients - Bailey's custard and cream. What could be easier?

Simply whip 300 ml cream then fold in 500ml Bailey's custard. Freeze in a container until the edges are frozen, rebeat  to remove the ice crystals and refreeze until firm. Place in the fridge for an hour before you plan to serve it.

OR

Try Nigella's coffee ice cream

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Chocolate Salami

An Italian fun specialty. Looks like salami - tastes like chocolate!

Find the recipe here....

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Last-minute mince tarts

A car door slams outside and you realise you have unexpected guests - what do you give them? These!

Find out how easy it is....

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Here are some other delicious sweet 'cheats':

• Mini pavs - store-bought meringue shells filled with berries and cream.
• Eton mess - basically mini pavs crunched up and served in a bowl.
• Savoiardi topped with berry jam or mixed pureed berries and whipped cream.
• Whole strawberries (leave the hull on as a handle) dip in cream and sugar.

OR

Make a delicious fruit and cheese platter. Raid the fruit bowl and the fridge, and arrange attractively on a tray or large board. Serve with breads and cracker biscuits. (Better still get your guests onto doing it as you finalise the rest of the meal)

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Summer Pudding meets Tiramisu

A Christmas dessert that has the flavours of summer pudding with the ease of tiramisu. Fans of either classic dessert will fall for this little Christmas love-child!

See for yourself....

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This is our family favourite - always a hot favourite in summer.....

Peaches and mangoes

Three delicious ingredients that make a perfect marriage.

Here's the recipe....

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Christmassy chocolate log

FOUR ingredients - you have to be joking!

See for yourself....

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Keep watching...more ideas soon~~~~~

 

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....but don't forget your friends

No need to break the budget buying boxes of chocolate, tins of cookies or whatever else is on offer in the shops. Put butter, sugar, flour and chocolate on your shopping list and the a couple of hours in the kitchen (if that!) and you will have one-of-a-kind treats that will impress everyone. Involve the children too - even if they are only able to wrap or deliver the goodies.

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Mini tropical fruit cakes

So easy to make and yet they look show-stoppingly gorgeous, and taste wonderful.

Read the recipe....

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Gourmet Rocky Road

All the goodies you would expect in this sweet treat, but glammed up with a special 'delight'.

Read the recipe here....

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Two-step grappole

Could hardly be easier yet your friends will think you are so clever.

Nuts and chocolate and an optional surprise ingredient.

Here's how....

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Rocher chocolates

If you buy these at a chocolatier you will pay dollars for each of them, but they are too simple and affordable to do that.

Make them yourself by simply melting cooking chocolate and mixing in plenty of toasted almond slivers. Place teaspoonfuls on kitchen paper or into paper cases and there you are! 

Impressive!

 

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It's not over yet....AFTER Christmas

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How to throw a leftovers party

 

Everyone has too much good food on Christmas Day. It's all part of the generosity of the season.

BUT...

It's such a shame to waste all the tasty delights - so gather your friends and neighblours (they can bring their leftovers too!)

Get some ideas here... although you will have plenty more.

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The sandwich that serves SEVERAL

Gather up the leftover meats and salad and cheese and suddenly you'll know why Italians have made this mega-sandwich for generations. They call it muffuletta. Do smaller ones and they can be muffulettine (little mufulettas)

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MERRY CHRISTMAS - and happy eating!

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(Just in case you still need to see those fantastic gift ideas from last week..... HERE they are.)

 

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