Sweet Treats Fig & Blue Cheese Cheesecakes February 10, 2025February 12, 2025 Savoury Dessert Canapes: The Allure of Savoury Cheesecake While cheesecake is typically associated with sweet desserts, a savoury variation can be an alluring and unexpected surprise that adds class and intrigue to your appetiser spread. The smooth and creamy texture of cheesecake itself, creates a luxurious mouth sensation, while the blue cheese adds a pungent, tang on the palate & when you introduce the natural sweetness of figs, it feels kind of elaborate. When you serve desserts in bite-size, even the non-dessert eaters will grab one. Removed from your everyday cheesecake or dessert flavours but suitable for an array of… Continue Reading
Sweet Treats Custard Tarts February 3, 2025February 3, 2025 Simple Dessert Canapes: When hosting a get-together, why stop at savoury canapés when you can top off your party with bite-size sweet treats? A well-balanced spread includes a little something for everyone, and ending on a sweet note is a definite way to leave guests satisfied. Admittedly, I’m not a big sweet eater myself, but I know plenty of people love desserts & there are a few desserts that I do tend to migrate to if they are laid out in front of me. And when they’re presented in bite-size portions, they become even more appealing. There’s no pressure to… Continue Reading
Meat Fig & Prosciutto Crostini January 29, 2025February 17, 2025 The Perfect Flavour Combo: Elevate Your Entertaining with Figs: Appetisers sound fancy and like a lot of hard work, don’t they? The truth is, they don’t have to be. Many people settle for grazing boards or platters when entertaining—and while these are undeniably crowd-pleasers, why not surprise your guests with something a little different? Sure, it might take a little more effort, but the rewards are worth it. Your guests will notice and appreciate the extra thought and care you put into creating memorable party bites. Sometimes, it’s those little touches that make all the difference. Why Figs Deserve a… Continue Reading
Meat Stuffed Tomatoes January 19, 2025January 20, 2025 Bresaola, Olive & Pesto Stuffed Tomatoes Transforming Party Appetisers: One of the simplest yet most effective ways to try enhancing finger food is by stuffing your ingredients, especially fruit. It’s not just about filling a fruit (or vegetable) with something delicious; it’s about transforming an ordinary dish into something intriguing for your guests. Whether it’s a savoury stuffing or a fresh, vibrant filling, stuffing adds a depth of flavour, texture, and colour that can elevate any dish—taking it from average to stunning. Take stuffed tomatoes, for example. These colourful fruits (yes, tomatoes are technically fruits) are the perfect canvas for a… Continue Reading
Meat Mango & Prosciutto Kebabs January 13, 2025February 3, 2025 Mango & Prosciutto Appetiser: Mango is one of those ingredients that is abundant here in Australia in summer & complements cheeses and cured meats including in these cold fresh party bites. Its natural sweetness & vibrant colour make it an appealing option for finger food & a popular choice for savoury or sweet platters. There is the perfect balance of sweet & salty with this dynamic duo-the tropical sweetness of ripe mango and the rich, salty depth of Italian prosciutto. Add in a creamy cheese like bocconcini & some fresh herbs and you will be in heaven! Appetisers are all… Continue Reading
Meat Nectarine Summer Salad With Burrata & Prosciutto January 12, 2025February 3, 2025 Nectarine Summer Salad: While Nectarines are delicious on their own, they also make for a fantastic base for a refreshing salad appetiser. The flavours in this nectarine summer salad work amazingly together to create a party hors d’oeuvre with a summer vibe. Juicy, sweet Nectarine, peppery Rocket, creamy Burrata, savoury Prosciutto, fresh dill, buttery Macadamia Nuts and Tangy Passionfruit. They make perfect little appetiser portions paired with a raspberry balsamic. Colour aside, these warm-weather party bites are fresh, simple to assemble & creative. Whether you’re looking for a colourful seasonal party bite, a light side dish for a barbecue, a… 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
Meat Meatballs With Tzatziki January 4, 2025January 12, 2025 Tasty Mediterranean Meatball Party Appetiser: Savoury Greek-inspired Meatballs with Sun-dried tomato Tzatziki: When it comes to party appetisers that balance richness with freshness, this Mediterranean meatball party appetiser paired with a luscious tzatziki sauce is the bomb! I say Greek-inspired as I have rolled my meatballs in pine nuts & added sun-dried tomatoes to my tzatziki. They’re bursting with boldness, combining the heartiness of seasoned beef with the creamy tang of feta, the crunch of pine nuts, and a hint of smokey paprika. Topped off with a cooling, herby tzatziki, they’re a guaranteed way to satisfy a crowded room full… 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
Seafood Crab Salad Sandwich December 20, 2024January 1, 2025 Simple Crab Appetiser: Crab salad is the ultimate seafood treat when you want something luxurious yet, beyond easy to prepare & this simple crab appetiser is fresh, tasty, and utterly adaptable, making it perfect for appetisers or light bites. This simple crab appetiser elevates crab salad with a medley of character flavours, creamy textures, and that little bit of refinement. Presented between crisp crackers & prepared in 15mins, these canapés will steal the show. Why It Works: Crab salad pairs beautifully with a variety of flavours and textures including the tangy brightness of lemon to the creaminess of brie and… 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
Vegetarian Fig & Walnut Feta Bites December 2, 2024December 30, 2024 Fig & Walnut Appetiser: Sweet Meets Savoury There’s a reason figs, walnuts, and feta are such a classic trio—they just work. This fig & walnut appetiser is everything sweet meets savoury & creamy meets crunchy. The result is an appetiser that looks a bit fancy but is pretty simple to make. These fig & walnut feta bites deliver finesse in a small, elegant package that’s perfect for any get- together. I won’t say they are effortless, they do require some effort on your part but definitely worth it. The Beauty of Balance What makes this combination irresistible is the way… Continue Reading