The Holiday season is here, and I find myself mentally salivating over all the dazzling party food ideas and quick recipes I can serve for my end-of-year parties. Let's just say I'm a tad obsessed with canapés and appetizers this time of year. It's sort of a personal challenge to try to find THE perfect Holiday recipe that ticks all the boxes (quick, easy, tasty, pretty...), and become my new go-to party food favorite!
Party Food | Gourmet Polenta Bologenese Cups Recipe
Being from Italian descent, I grew up with polenta. And one of my fave dishes is creamy polenta with Bolognese sauce and generous sprinkles of Parmesan on top. SO yum!! So naturally, when thinking up delicious appetizers for our end of year parties , I turn to my Italian roots. And polenta usually figures in some shape or form, in the array of bite-size delights I serve time and time again... It's like bringing a little bit of Italy to my table :)
Party Food | Italian Sausage & Ravioli Appetizer Recipe
Italian food has a very special place in my heart due to my Italian roots. To me, it's more than food - it means love, comfort, family values, tradition... I still remember to this day, being in awe of my grandmother's pasta-making skills , in her kitchen cutting tagliatelle with a knife, dusting them with semolina and hanging them to dry on a broomstick made by my granddad!
Creamy Chickpea Houmous Appetizer Recipe
St. Patrick's Day is 'round the corner, and what better appetizer than a creamy houmous, to soak up the lashings of Guinness ?! This is a favorite dip in our house, and makes a welcome appearance on many cocktail parties because it's super easy and quick to make, quite healthy, you can make it a day in advance, and tastes DIVINE! My husband has been know to "drink" the stuff. Neat! So I always make sure I make plenty. And I have a little secret for making it super creamy too!
Brazilian Appetizer Coxinha de Galinha Recipe
Onward with our Wold Cup Party ideas, today I'm sharing another of my fave Brazilian recipes: Coxinha de Galinha . Coxinha come from the name for 'little thigh' in Portuguese, because these little morsels look just like...well, little chicken thighs. They are really popular, and present in most Brazilian parties and celebration buffets, so we couldn't have a Brazilian inspired World Cup party without them. Even Nigella has her own recipe for these!
Gluten-Free Brazilian Appetizer Pão de Queijo Recipe
The football or soccer World Cup kicks off tomorrow, and what better way to celebrate, party and watch the games then with some traditional Brazilian recipes, snacks and appetizers ?! They'd be cool for February's Mardi Gras or Carnaval also. These little pão de queijo (little cheese breads rolls) are typically served at breakfast or at afternoon snack, but these bite-sized morsels are also perfect appetizer to accompany a nice cold beer!! Tried and tested ;)
Party Appetizer | Tuna and Scallion Pâté Recipe
Yes, because although some schools have started, and we're already thinking "Halloween"; we still have a few days of sunshine goodness to savor, and some glorious end of season produce. And this summery recipe is very easy and quick to make, so perfect if you have last minute entertaining on the cards. But is also a tasty and healthy after school snack! ;)
Party Food | Spicy Chipotle & Rosemary Nuts Recipe
My husband loves nuts. And spicy things. And beer. And eating spicy nuts whilst drinking beer. So needless to say, this really is the perfect little gift hamper for him on Father's Day! :) This spicy nuts recipe is not only easy and quick to make (so kids can help), but it tastes so freaking yummy that you'll find any celebration (or excuse..) to make them again - Honestly!
Feta, Olive and Pesto Muffins Recipe
These savory Olive, Feta and Pesto muffins are delicious, so easy and quick to make, and kids will love getting involved - Dads, are you reading? Honestly, you can make the batter in 10 minutes! Plus, it's also low in fat - perfect for moms watching their figure! ;)