Nibbles for a party, any ideas

[madmarchhare]

Having a gathering for about 20 friends. Whats impressive but quick and relatively inexpensive?

I dont mind the preparation beforehand but need to look calm and sophisticated when everyone turns up . (No kids)

Don't know if these are impressive but people always say they are nice:

Homemade breadsticks - we make dough in breadmaker and then roll out by hand. They have cumin in, can get recipe if you want. Dip in hummus / whatever.

Toasted pumpkin and sunflower seeds - get pan / wok hot then add seeds and soy sauce (no oil needed). Toast, stirring, until lightly browned.

cut up lots of raw vegetables into sticks and use dips.

Mmm, I gave my bread machine away cos I didnt use it, but yes, if you would be so kind as to get me the recipe and I'll have a go.

Will probably do the veggies and dips.

Anyone else?

can you afford to by impressive looking canapes from M&S or Waitrose? Kettle crisps or Sensation crisps would be posh for dipping

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Ooo yes, I dont mind buying in some of it ready prepared (am a tad lazy).

The lamb and apagagus sound good.

Keep em coming.

Have you ever tried apagagus, its lovely, truly .

potato and fish kebabs. either make with boiled mashed potato,or with smash.
mis together, one can tuna, mashed potato, chili powder, cumin powder, garlic and salt. add some lemon juice. shape coat in beaten egg, and shallow fry. yum

Sesame and cumin bread sticks

7g sachet fast action dried yeast
1 lb strong white flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cumin
2 0z butter or marg
2 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg, beaten
3 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp cumin seeds

Put flour, salt and cumin in large bowl. Add yeast. Put butter and oils in saucepan and warm till melted. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in fat with 7 fl oz tepid water. Mix to make a dough, adding extra water if ness.

Divide dough into 32 pieces. Roll each piece into sausage shape about 8 ins long (toddlers like helping with this part). Place on greased baking tray.

Brush with beaten egg and sprinkle with sesame and cumin seeds. Bake at 200 C for 15 to 20 mins until golden brown (we deliberately cook them for shorter time than this as we prefer a chewy rather than crisp breadstick). Turn off the oven and leave to cool in the oven. When cool they should be crisp (in the opinion of the recipe writer anyway!).

They smell so good when cooking! Children love them too.

nachos covered in salsa, cheddat, grilled in oven and served with jalapeno peppers

Can you use any fish?

Cheers for that franny .

i always use tuna, but that just coz buy it in bulk

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Meggymoo, I luuurve mushrooms. DH hates them so when I get the chance I like to OD on them. Thats deffo on the list.

Some great suggestions here guys.

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Do you fancy being a caterer for the night?

slice a baguette very thinly (and a bit diagonally iyswim) rub olive oil on them, salt and pepper, then stick in the oven on a baking tray for 20 minutes til nice and golden (do this previous day then keep in something airtight), then on the day top with various bits and pieces - combinations of something salady plus some cheese or meat with some torn fresh basil leaves on top - salady bits could be chopped tomato, thin slices of roasted pepper (roast previous day before); roasted cherry toms (yum yum), some rocket, and then virtually any cheese you like - feta, mozeralla, goats cheese, brie, crumbly cheshire or meat - nice bits of chirizo , proscuitto, bresola. Some combinations you can whack under the grill so the cheese melts but you don't need to if thats extra hassle. You could also have some with smoked salmon (which I don't like so never think of)

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MM, its a get together of all our old friends that have had kids who we never get to see anymore.

We always mean to get round to it but you know how it goes. So, instead of just talking about it and never doing it, I am.

I do miss those days and they were very special so I wanted to make a bit of an effort as it might be a while until we do it again.

another thing that is gorgeous and takes about two minutes - get some chorizo as an actual sausage, slice, put in a frying pan (no need for oil - it has plenty in it) fry for a couple of minutes, pour some red wine over it (we tend to save red wine dregs for cooking) and simmer for a couple more minutes. serve in the juices