COCKTAIL PARTIES & FINGER BUFFETS

Apple and Smoked Salmon Rolls

Apples are an excellent way to remove hunger pangs and are a wise choice to help avoid snacking on fatty foods between meals

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Avocado and Cheese Savoury Dip

Avocados are a popular main ingredient in appetizer dips. This recipe is excellent accompanied by Savoury Cheese Biscuits or Savoury Chive Biscuits.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Bacon Barbeque Prawns

Bacon Barbeque Prawns are great if you're in a sort of relaxed "chuck it in the oven" mood and looking for something that's quick, easy and tasty.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Blushing Eggs

It's summer, the sun is shining and the family is screaming to eat outside.Blushing Eggs are just the thing, to put a smile on their faces and yours.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Carpaccio Style Prawns

Carpaccio is a dish of raw meat or fish, thinly sliced and generally served as an appetizer. These delicious Carpaccio Style Prawns will delight you.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Chicken Lollipops

Chicken Lollipop derives its name from the way the chicken wings are cut and forced into the shape of a lollipop

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Chicken Satay

This recipe for Chicken Satay is intended as a main dish. Another recipe will show how you can do this as a starter or as part of an aperitif

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Sweet Potato Bhajis

If you are an affectionado of Indian food, you will already be well aware of onion bhajis, but have you come across Sweet Potato Bhajis?

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Crisp Potato Cakes with Goats Cheese and Caviar

Crisp Potato Cakes with Goats Cheese and Caviar is, in fact, a rather novel form of savoury "finger food" (petit four salé).

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Dates Stuffed with Mascarpone

Though the oranges, dates and nuts in Dates Stuffed with Mascarpone is reminiscent of Christmas, these little beasts are perfect all year round.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Devilled Eggs

Devilled Eggs make a great appetizer and a perfect party dish. So quick and simple to make, and loved by young and old alike.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Devils on Horseback

This recipe for Devils on Horseback is a great way to prepare stuffed bacon rolls for informal entertaining or to eat cold with a picnic.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Duck Pâté (Pâté de Canard)

Whether for a party, a picnic or a great snack or starter this firm pâté keeps well in the fridge for several days and is hard to resist.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 2 Hours
Egg Mayo in the Shell

Egg Mayo in the Shell is great for barbeques, snacks, or as a starter when you are entertaining. Presented as it is, it is irresistible to everyone.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 8 Minutes
Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon & Chives

Eggs Benedict with Smoked Salmon & Chives is a lovely recipe for a breakfast treat or a regular weekend breakfast.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Tapenade

Tapenade is a Provençal dish from France consisting of puréed or finely chopped olives, capers, anchovies, olive oil and, in this recipe, some brandy

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Feta Dip

This absolutely delicious Feta Dip is so easy to make and tastes absolutely delicious.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Left-over Mussels

Well I know it sounds strange to leave mussels uneaten but sometimes there are a few too many even for Meester Graham! No problem...

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Maki Sushi

Maki Sushi is a generic term used to describe any type of rolled sushi. These consist of a layer of sushi rice filled with a variety of ingredients.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Mango Smoothie

Here's a nice, simple way to make a Mango Smoothie with just a few ingredients. It's great for kids, but I've seen the adults knock it back, too!

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Vegetarian Scotch Egg

The Vegetarian Scotch Egg is a great cold addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Walnut Dip

This dip can be made in minutes when company appears unexpectedly and it just doesn't compare to the commercial stuff you find at grocery stores.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Black Pudding Scotch Eggs

Black Pudding Scotch Egg is a great cold addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries. Eat cold or warm.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Chicken Tikka

Chicken Tikka originates from the northern part of India and is not just popular in India but worldwide. Easy both on the palate and the pocket

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Crunchy Honeycomb Biscuits (Cookies)

Crunchy Honeycomb Biscuits are my favourite, having that exquisite blend of 'crunchiness' that separates any home made cookie from a shop-bought one.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Fresh Fruit Salad

There is a wonderful clean taste to a Fresh Fruit Salad. It always reminds me of lazy hot summer days and the smell of freshly mown grass!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Grilled Chicken Portions

An unpretentious way to cook chicken, but quick and easy! This is the basic technique for grill roasted chicken. It's my favorite way to cook chicken.

Preparation: 3 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Mini Frittatas

Mini Frittatas is an egg-based Italian dish similar to an omelette or crustless quiche. You'll get about 40 light-bites that are buffet perfect.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Mini Pork Pies with Quails' Eggs

Sometimes, though, a whole pork pie is just too much, and that's when I like to pick up a Mini Pork Pie with Quail's Egg.

Preparation: 30 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Mini Sausage Wreath

Christmas isn't complete without a wreath. So why not make one yourself - that you can eat? Mini Sausage Wreath serve it warm, and it won't last long!

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Minted Lamb Meatballs

Minted Lamb Meatballs is a little bit "fiddly" but I've included it because it makes a superb starter for any meal if you are entertaining.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Mussels with Herb Butter (Moules Niçoises)

Known in French as "Moules Niçoises", these are perfect either for an aperitif before the meal, as part of a barbeque buffet, or for a starter.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Nigiri-zushi

Nigiri-zushi consists of a small portion of Sushi Rice that is shaped in the hands. A thin piece of fish like tuna or shrimp is draped over the top.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Oak-Smoked Queenies

In case you've not come across them before, "Queenies" are small scallops about ½" - ¾" (1cm - 2cm) diameter - sometimes called "bay scallops"

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Oven Baked Scotch Eggs

Traditional Scotch Eggs are a delight at any time but, for those watching their weight, they pose a big problem since they are usually deep-fried

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Yorkshire Puddings with Sausages, Broccoli and Shallot Gravy

Party-sized nibbles, filled with sausage and a little Tenderstem broccoli tree. Be sure to make the gravy, too! Celebrate traditional English cooking!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 40 Minutes
Pork Satay

These little skewers of meat usually offered with peanut sauce are a popular dish. Walk down almost any street anywhere in Asia and you'll find them.

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Potted Shrimps

Sounds complicated? Not at all ! This is probably the easiest seafood you will ever prepare. It looks and tastes wonderful & will impress your guests.

Preparation: 3 Minutes
Cooking: 3 Minutes
Prawn Cocktail (Shrimp Cocktail)

In the 1970's, Prawn Cocktail (Shrimp Cocktail) became a favourite of many people when dining out. So much so that it has now become a bit "old hat".

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Prawn Sushi

Not all sushi recipes use raw seafood, and this recipe for Prawn Sushi uses cooked prawns (or large shrimp)

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 3 Minutes
Quail's Eggs

Many people aren't sure how to cook quail's eggs, so don't buy them. For that reason, I can offer you this simple guide to quail egg perfection!

Preparation: 1 Minute
Cooking: 3 Minutes
Raspberry and Caramel Crunch

Raspberry and Caramel Crunch is incredibly easy, can be mostly prepared beforehand. It takes just 10 minutes under an oven grill to cook.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Rillettes de Porc

Rillettes de Porc (pronounced "ree-et-der-por") is very French and very tasty! If you're on a strict diet, maybe choose something different though!

Preparation: 15 Minutes
Cooking: 4 Hours
Sage Cream Dip

The rich flavour of sage complemented by the distinctive, but not overpowering, bitterness of curd cheese sets this healthy dish apart from other dips

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Samosa

Samosa is a stuffed, deep fried snack that originated in the Indian state of Gujarat and has become extremely popular right across Asia and Europe.

Preparation: 25 Minutes
Cooking: 45 Minutes
Sashimi (Raw Seafood)

Sashimi is often the first course in a formal Japanese meal, but it can also be the main course, presented with rice and miso soup in separate bowls.

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: NIL
Satay with Peanut Sauce

The bite-size portions in this simple recipe for Satay with Peanut Sauce are intended as part of an aperitif rather than as a main dish.

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes
Sausage and Bacon Kebabs

This recipe for Sausage and Bacon Kebabs is ideal for either a family meal or for informal entertaining or barbeques. The taste is outrageously good!

Preparation: 5 Minutes
Cooking: 8 Minutes
Savoury Bacon Rolls

This recipe for Savoury Bacon Rolls is a great way to prepare stuffed bacon rolls for informal entertaining or to eat cold with a picnic.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 8 Minutes
Savoury Cheese Biscuits

Ideal for entertaining, you can load these savoury biscuits with cream cheese or use them as a snack source with a slice of tomato on top.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Savoury Chive Biscuits

Ideal for entertaining, you can load these savoury biscuits with cream cheese or use them as a snack source with a slice of tomato on top.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Scotch Egg

Scotch Egg is a great addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries. Not many people know how to make their own

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 10 Minutes
Spicy Snack Eggs

Spicy Snack Eggs are a great cold addition to a buffet, with a salad, in a picnic, as a snack or hot with French Fries. Your choice!

Preparation: 20 Minutes
Cooking: 20 Minutes
Asparagus, Pancetta and Puff Pastry Parcels

You'll love these little bundles of springtime - bundles of asparagus, pancetta, parmesan cheese and puff pastry make this a super simple appetizer.

Preparation: 10 Minutes
Cooking: 15 Minutes

What To Eat Tonight

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151 Healthy Recipes

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282 Budget Family Meals

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