General Chat

Daisy, Welsh Rarebit, but with sliced Banana under the Cheese, cut off crust and cut into fingers or squares. Enjoy.

Appalling pun alert! Thanks guys - lots of food for thought there! Can't find the mini tuna fishcakes recipe but sounds yummy so may I have it please? Keep em coming. Daisy

Daisy, here two of my favourites for buffets Party Palmiers- makes approx 40 These can be made up and stored uncooked in the freezer for up to a month, then popped in the oven when you need them...a HUGE bonus! 2 x 20cm/8' squares of puff pastry (frozen works just as well as fresh) 3 tablespoons of either pesto, olive or sundried tomato paste 3 tablespoons of freshly grated Parmesan Coarse salt crystals Pre-heat your oven to 220C/Gas 7. Spread the pastry with your chosen paste. Roll each square from opposite edges towards the centre to form to rolls that meet in the middle. Flatten slightly with the palm of your hand where they meet and then cut each roll into 20 slices. Place oon a baking sheet and sprinkle with a little of the coarse salt, lightly roll the salt in with a rolling pin. Bake for approx 4 minutes each side until risen and golden brown. Cool on a wire rack. Minced Lamb Kebabs - makes about 35, but easy to double up...or more (These look fiddly but are quite easy and hugely popular, i did them for Gemma's Engagement party a couple of years ago, and had many requests for the recipe. Again they can be frozen uncooked for up to a month then defosted the night before and cooked on the day) 1lb minced lamb 1 teaspoon of ground coriander 1 teaspoon of ground cumin a large pinch of chilli powder 1 tablespoon of coriander leaves 1 tablespoon of tomato puree Pared rind of 1 lemon Salt & Pepper Blitz all the ingredients in a food processor until really well blended. Take teaspoons of the mixture and shape with your hands into small ovals. Heat some oil in a deep pan/fryer and fry in batches for 3-4 minutes. Leave to cool. Pre heat your oven to 220C/Gas 6 place the meat balls on a lighty greased tray and heat through for 10-12 minutes. Serve on small skewers with a dip, the following one is a good one to use. Yellow Pepper and Mint Dip -serves 15-20 When liquidised this can be frozen for several weeks and then defrosted overnight and finished off on the day. 4 large yellow peppers, seeded and quartered 4 garlic cloves 150ml/5floz vegetable stock a bunch of fresh mint, chopped 2 tablespoons Greek Yoghurt Salt and black pepper Put the peppers on a baking tray and cook under a grill until the skin in charred. Remove from the pan and place in a polythene bag for 5 minutes, then remove the skin. Chop the peppers then place in a pan with the garlic and stock, bring to the boil then reduce the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Season, allow to cool, then liquidise. To finish, fold in the mint and yoghurt. ....NB you can make a serving container from a yellow pepper by getting a pepper which will stand up well, cut the stalk end off and remove the seeds and white pith, then fill with the dip....looks really good. Yvette

Yvette - would you like to come and cook it all for me please? I've only got one arm remember! lol Daisy

Oooh yummy, they sound wonderful Yvette - will you be cooking in the desert? Jxx

Julie...you never know...it could depend on how deperately i am trying to avoid carrying my pack, lol Daisy, if you need help shout :-)

CB - you're more than welcome to lend a hand too! Bec - you can't come because you're at the Essex meet. Remember, this is for men in uniform!!! Len.Hay - might try that one for lunch, sounds scrummy. Thanks to everyone. Lots of lovely ideas and hopefully more to come yet. Daisy

Tuna fishcakes Large tin of tuna in oil. Drain and reserve oil 4 slices brown bread, breadcrumbed ½ small onion, finely chopped Drained tablespoon of capers chopped One egg Seasoning Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional) In a large frying pan, fry the onion in a little of the oil, till translucent. Have two plates ready: one for the prepared fishcakes and another, lined with kitchen paper, for the cooked ones. In a large bowl, flake the tuna, then add all the other ingredients except the oil and mix thoroughly with your hands. Roll into balls about the size of walnuts or a little smaller. Flatten them slightly and shallow fry in batches. This mixture is very good tempered. It does not fall to pieces when you fry it. The quantity of tuna is generous and you can easily bulk it out with more bread without your guests feeling cheated. The original recipe has a tablespoon of chopped parsley as well. You can make them well in advance, freeze them and just put on a plate to defrost. When I make them for parties, they have usually disappered before I have a chance to eat one myself.

Thanks Phoenix - might try them on the family tonight! Daisy

Mini Quiches Ready rolled Puff Pastry Cut into rounds and place in greased Patty pans Whisk 4 Eggs with 1 Pint of milk I also add a little fresh cream Chop Ham, onion, grated cheese and corn or you can put in whatever you like, add to milk mixture with a little salt and pepper. Pour into Pasty Cases and bake in a hot oven 200C for about 20-25 minutes. Nice either hot or cold. makes about 24 Kebabs Place Olive, cheese pineapple chunk, cherry tomato alternatively on long skewer I also like pieces of Capsicum on mine. Think you call them Peppers in Uk. Mini Sausage rolls with a touch of garlic Everyone knows how to make those I think. Spring rolls Curried Eggs Cut 6 eggs in hallf and take yolks out carefully. Mix yolks with a about 2 teaspoons of Curry powder or paste and add a little cream or you could also use mayonaisse (about 2 tablespoons) mix well and then carefully spoon back into whites of egg. decorate each with a little parsley sprig or chopped parsley Regards Jackie

Oops Daisy For Curried Eggs that should have read Hard Boiled lol. So sorry Jackie

Thanks Jackie! Daisy

Daisy, Another idea LIttle gem lettuce leafs as a base. small piece of chicken. small dollop of caesar dressing, shaving of parmesan - you've got yourself a mini caesar salad Paul