platter party
Finger food and drinks make for a wonderfully relaxed way of entertaining and with a few basics in the fridge, freezer and pantry you can quickly assemble a few appetising platters. Choose a variety of nibbles, some hot, some cold, and aim to provide a balance of light low-calorie snacks and more filling alcohol absorbents, such as fritters and these Spicy Chicken Cakes.
Make sure the food is easy to eat and small enough to handle. When serving food with toothpicks, bones or shells remember to provide a receptacle for the leftover bits, and always have plenty of napkins at hand.
prep plan
WELL AHEAD
Make dipping sauce for the prawn rolls and keep in the fridge in an airtight container. It will keep for a couple of weeks. Make the Basil Oil to serve with the Spicy Chicken Cakes, if desired.
DAY BEFORE
Spicy Chicken Cakes and Lemon Herb Fritters can be made up to a day ahead and kept chilled.
ON THE DAY
Remove gorgonzola from the fridge a few hours before serving to allow it to soften and turn creamy. Make the stuffed snow peas and the filling for the Prawn Salad Rolls in the morning and keep chilled. The prawn rolls can be made up a few hours ahead of time and kept in the fridge covered with plastic wrap until required.
FINAL PREPARATIONS
When ready to serve the Lemon Herb Fritters and Spicy Chicken Cakes reheat them in a hot oven for a few minutes. Top the fritters with goat cheese and watercress. Arrange the chicken cakes on a platter and drizzle with Basil Oil. Serve with toothpicks. Arrange the Gorgonzola Platter and slice bread.
