Vegetarian Potato Cannoli With Spinach & Artichoke May 15, 2025May 26, 2025 Savoury Cannoli Canapé idea: If you’ve ever wanted to elevate your finger food game with something a little different from the usual offerings but still elegant, then this Savoury Cannoli Canapé is for you. Instead of pastry, I’ve used thin slices of potato to form the shell for filling. It’s a small detail that makes a brilliant alternative to traditional pastry & allows you to serve the same ingredients in a different way. It transforms this savoury cannoli canapé into something more interesting & alluring. It brings a new dimension to the old chip & dip… & everyone loves a… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Apricots With Herbed Goat Cheese May 10, 2025May 16, 2025 Simple Finger Food: Apricots might not be the first thing that springs to mind when you’re planning simple finger food, but trust me- once you’ve worked with them this way, you’ll come back to them again and again. There’s something particularly appealing about these golden jewel bites. They bring that gorgeous golden hue, a soft chew, and a sweet complexity that plays beautifully with savoury ingredients, especially cheeses. If you can source Persian apricots, even better. These semi-dried gems are fat, juicy, and full of flavour– completely different from the tough, overly shrivelled-up ones you might find in the average… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Blinis With Avocado & Quail Eggs May 4, 2025May 6, 2025 Vegetarian Appetiser Idea: I’m all about those little touches that make entertaining feel special without turning into a whole fiasco and this vegetarian appetiser idea with quail eggs, is perfect for that. Considered somewhat of a delicacy here in Australia (and in many parts of the world), quail eggs are not only beautiful with their speckled shells but also packed with greater nutritional value than regular chicken eggs believe it or not. They’re these tiny, beautiful eggs that instantly make any canapé look next-level. Quail eggs often tend to come with a higher price tag, but if you’re lucky, like I was… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Onion Tarts April 13, 2025April 28, 2025 Pastry Party Food: Everyone loves a pastry tart, especially in the form of savoury party food. There’s something timeless about that golden, buttery shell. It’s comforting and like any party pie, is always a hit from kids to adults, catering for a casual get-together or plating miniature versions for a cocktail party. And when it comes to appetisers, a pastry tart is a winner every time. Take onion tarts, for instance. They’re so simple to make and pack a surprising depth of flavour. While raw onions can be a bit divisive- sharp, assertive, and not for everyone, once they’re cooked… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Grilled Haloumi With Pickled Carrot March 30, 2025April 1, 2025 Simple Cheese & Pickle Appetiser: Haloumi lovers, this one’s for you! This great little cheese & pickle appetiser is so colourful & a mouthful of joy. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of biting into a perfectly grilled slice of haloumi—crispy on the outside, warm and chewy on the inside—you know just how satisfying this cheese can be. But have you ever paired it with pickled carrots? The combination of salty, golden-brown haloumi with tangy, slightly sweet pickled carrots is a game-changer & a pretty healthy cheese & pickle appetiser all round. This duo brings together colour, flavour and texture… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Peach Crostini March 23, 2025March 23, 2025 Simple Crostini Appetiser: Crostini is a simple appetiser idea that offers quick preparation and can be customised in a million different ways. When throwing together a last-minute snack or planning a social event, these little bites can always bring flavour, texture, and visual appeal. They strike that perfect balance between simplicity and elegance, making them a solid option for any occasion. When I’m hosting for a crowd, I always manage to slip in at least one crostini appetiser in the mix. They require minimal effort, give you bang for your buck & result in happy satiated guests, which is exactly… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Feta Spring Rolls March 7, 2025March 7, 2025 Feta Spring Rolls With Sweet Chilli: Feta cheese has a way of making any pastry party appetiser feel a little more special. With its crumbly or creamy texture, richness & tangy bite, it’s a true standout. This salty cheese, rooted in Greek tradition, brings a depth of flavour that instantly adds luxury to whatever you choose to pair it with. I don’t know which style of feta I prefer to be honest & I tend to used Greek, Danish, marinated, or Persian feta on a regular basis & change it up according to the mood I’m in. Whether served cold,… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Wonton Crisps With Pineapple Salsa February 27, 2025March 2, 2025 A Taste of The Tropics: It is incredibly easy to create a feast with these zesty pineapple canapés using fresh tropical ingredients. I always associate summer with tropical flavours —think sunshine, warm breezes, and the smell of garlic prawns on the barbecue wafting through the air, coconut, fresh-cut mango & of course pineapple. Queensland’s summer abundance of pineapples is a reminder of lazy beach days, refreshing cocktails, and the kind of effortless entertaining that makes this season so special. One of my favourite ways to showcase pineapple in a canapé is with a fresh and zesty pineapple salsa served on… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Loaded Peppers February 23, 2025February 23, 2025 Flavourful Hors D’oeuvre: Party Bites With Zing: These Loaded Peppers with Olive Cottage Cheese Dip & Chili Lemon Hummus make a fantastic flavourful hors d’oeuvre. When it comes to appetisers that are fresh, colourful, and full of flavour, you don’t need to overcomplicate things. The key is to pick the right ingredients that shine on their own and let them work together. These flavour-packed bites are a prime example of how vibrant produce, a few well-chosen dips, and a little creativity can turn a simple dish into something irresistible. They’re easy to make, packed with crunch and flavour, and perfect… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Cucumber Flowers With Spicy Avocado January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 Fresh Party Appetisers: Refreshingly Spicy: Appetisers with Cucumber & Avocado When it comes to appetisers, few ingredients rival the crisp, clean bite of cucumber and the creamy indulgence of avocado. Together, they create a canvas for endless creativity. Add a little spice to the mix, and you’ve got a dynamic duo that’s as refreshing as it is bold. When planning a grazing board or crafting individual bites, cucumber and spicy avocado are here to elevate your appetiser game. Let’s dive in… Fresh Cocktail Bites Are you ready to impress your guests with a light yet flavour-packed appetiser that screams elegance… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Watermelon Caprese Salad December 26, 2024December 30, 2024 Summer Melon Appetiser: I have a confession: I’m not a great lover of melon—of any kind. Yet, over the years, I’ve discovered that watermelon holds a special place in many hearts (and summer spreads). I was determined to produce a party appetiser that would appeal to melon enthusiasts and even win over sceptics like myself. I wanted to create a fresh summer hors d’oeuvre that balances the melon’s natural sweetness with savoury, tangy, and herbaceous notes but doesn’t have an overwhelming melon flavour. This twist on a classic Caprese salad swaps out the usual tomatoes for juicy balls of watermelon,… Continue Reading
Vegetarian Black Plums with Persian Feta December 14, 2024December 30, 2024 Christmas Inspired Black Plums with Persian Feta: Black Plum Magic: A Summer Stone Fruit Appetiser: When summer rolls around, it brings a rainbow of stone fruits, each with its own charm. Today, let’s talk about the black plum in this summer stone fruit appetiser. It gets its name from its deep, almost mysterious skin—more black than plum although these lot look more plum than black!—and though its inside doesn’t quite match the drama, it’s just as amazing. This plum appetiser idea? It’s proof that stunning presentation and incredible flavour can be ridiculously easy. We’re taking that sensational plum colour and… Continue Reading