蜜芽传媒

Festive Nibbles/Canapes:

We've all been there when over Christmas friends or family spring upon us that they are coming round in an Hour or so. Argh! What to give them? Don't panic! Here are 4 of my Quick, affordable easy Festive nibbles that you can knock up in no time!
Don't go buying ready made ones that are more expensive and full of rubbish really or trying to impress with expensive products. Just use up what you have in your fridge as they are fresh and healthier.

No 1 = Cheddar Cheese Crostinis with red onion and cranberry jam:

- Leftover Baguette sliced diagnally
- Mature cheddar cheese sliced

Red Onion Jam:

- 1 tbsp rapeseed oil and a knob of unsalted butter
- 3 red onions sliced thinly
- a good splash of balsamic vinegar
- 3 level tbsp Spiced Caster Sugar*
- Handful of dried cranberries or you can use cranberry sauce at the end or fresh ones in earlier.

* Spiced Sugar recipe:

All you do is take a jar full of Caster sugar and I infused mine with:

* Vanilla pod
* Ground Nutmeg
* Cloves
* Cinnamon Bark
* Cardamon pods
* Orange Peel

You can use this in lots of recipes

Method:

* In a saucepan heat your oil, then butter, allow to melt than add your onions, fry off until starting to catch the side of the pan, add in your balsamic vinegar, then sugar, a touch of water if needed, stir and cook down for about 10 minutes.

* Then add your cranberries and cook on a low heat for a further 5 minutes or until mixture is a sticky gooey texture. Set aside.

* Slice Baguette then in a hot frying pan with a little oil in, fry off for a minute or two, until starting to golden.

* When done, pop cheese on top and place in a hot grill until melted.Top with Onion and cranberry Jam.

No 2=Marinated pesto Mozzarella, tomato and basil bites:

- Soft Mozzarella sliced into squares ( roughly )
- Green pesto such as basil pesto or I used Wild garlic that I froze in batches
- Cherry or plum baby tomatoes sliced in half
- Sherry vinegar, balsamic if you don't have it.
- fresh basil

Method:

* Marinate your mozzarella overnight if you can but even just coating it will give a lovely flavour.

* Drizzle some sherry vinegar over the tomatoes and assemble together.

No3=Mini Prawn cocktail bites:

- Little gem lettuces ( 1 leaf per bite )
- Prawns, I used King prawns defrosted from frozen but any will do
- 1 tsp of marie rose sauce
- Sprinkle of ground paprika or cayenne pepper as a substitute

Marie Rose sauce ( Quick cheats version ):

- 1-2 tbsp mayonnaise ( depending on how many you are making )
- 1 tbsp salad cream
- 1/4 tsp dijon mustard
- 1/2 tbsp Sriracha sauce or could use tobasco
- 1/2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- squeeze of a lemon

Method:

- Place prawns on top of your lettuce leaf, top with Marie rose sauce and sprinkle with paprika.

No4= Waldorf bites:

- Celery sticks
- Soft cheese
- Green seedless grapes sliced lengthways
- walnuts halved

Method:

* Chop the celery into 3 or 4 ( inch 2 inches )

* Fill the centre of the celery with soft cheese, top with sliced grapes and walnuts.

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