Cocktail food

Cut the pizza so your guests get a slice of pear per piece. Note

These small French croquettes make for great snack or cocktail food.

You’ll need six small wooden skewers for this recipe. Soak the skewers in water for 30 minutes before using to prevent them splintering and scorching during cooking. Use dried oregano if you can’t find rigani. Note

Flavour-packed lamb and olive balls served with anchovy aioli and lemon wedges.

To use preserved lemon, remove and discard the pulp, squeeze the juice from the rind, then rinse the rind well; chop the rind finely. If preferred, substitute 1 teaspoon finely grated fresh lemon rind at each stage for the preserved lemon. Note

These are just as good served at room temperature as they are served hot, and they make perfect finger-food for a cocktail party or for inclusion on a large selection of mezze dishes. Note

Create these Greek-style meatballs to make the perfect sharing platter.

Try layering various herb leaves, such as sage, inside the potato wafers. You can also use russet burbank or spunta potatoes for this recipe. Note

These fragrant and spicy lamb skewers are great for sharing with friends and family.

other ideas: tiny blini or rösti, polenta squares, upturned mushrooms, baby cos or betel leaves, crisped won-ton wrappers or tortilla wedges. Note

These pork, fennel and fig sausage rolls will be the most gourmet snack at the party.

Use white Candy Melts in place of chocolate Melts for an extra-white finish. Note

Some people find the bitterness of radicchio a little overpowering. Try brushing each whole radicchio with oil and grill or barbecue until the outside leaves are charred and the inside is tender. This will give a sweeter smokey flavour. Slices of mango or paw paw make a nice addition to this salad. Note

Dip your fingers in cold water when shaping meatballs to keep the raw mixture from sticking to your hands. Note

These delicious homemade chicken and vegetable rolls are great for sharing.

Russet burbank potatoes were used to make this dish, however substituting with Agria or other boiling potatoes is fine. Note

Make your own rosemary and lemon cured beef to sit atop crisp sourdough toasts with sour cream - perfect for a canape or starter at your next dinner party.

Satay sauce is a sauce made from roasted peanuts and is widely used in the cuisines of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and China.

Prepare the mushrooms ready for grilling the day before; keep covered in the fridge. Mushrooms can be grilled up to 30 minutes before serving. Note

You need 25 foil petit four cases for this recipe. Note

For an earthier flavour, barbecue the whole eggplant. First prick the skin all over with a fork, then cook the eggplant for about 30 minutes – depending on its size and the heat of the barbecue – or until the eggplant collapses. Cool the eggplant, peel away the skin, then proceed with the recipe. Mini […]

Instead of piping the cream cheese mixture onto the canapés, you can just use a teaspoon to drop small amounts on top of the mini toasts. Mini toasts are available from delis, groumet food shops and some supermarkets. Note

Crispy, fluffy and delicious potato puffs packed full of garlic, onion, bacon and gruyere.

Raid the delicatessen shop to create this exquisite French platter.

Soak bamboo skewers in water for at least an hour to prevent scorching during cooking. Yoghurt, cream or milk can be used instead of the buttermilk. Note

Soak 10 bamboo skewers in cold water for an hour before use to prevent them splintering or scorching during cooking. Note

Using slightly under-ripe plums gives them a higher pectin level, which helps the paste to set. Note

A fantastic miso garlic dip for Japanese-style dinner parties or sharing platters.

Wonderfully fresh and light, enjoy these beautiful salmon sashimi stacks as a light lunch, starter on canape.

Use a soft creamy blue cheese for the blue cheese mousse. The mousse can be made a day ahead and kept, covered, in the fridge. It’s best to cook the beef as close to serving time as possible. Note

You need 16 x 15cm (6-inch) lollipop sticks or bamboo skewers for this recipe. Note

We used corn kernels from 2 large fresh corn cobs in this recipe, but you can use frozen (then thawed) kernels or well-drained canned kernels. Roast your own capsicum under the griller, or in the oven until the skin blisters and blackens, cover, cool, then remove skin before using. Or, buy roasted capsicum from a […]

Cake pops will keep for up to a week. Note

Bread can be toasted 2 hours ahead; store in an airtight container. Pumpkin can be cooked 1 hour ahead. Note

Potted prawns can be made a day before the picnic, keep well-iced during transportation. Make crostini close to departure time. Note

Pizza fingers can be prepared the day before; put the toppings on, then cover them with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge. Bake when ready to eat. Note

Rose, violet, nasturtium and pansy petals are all edible and make beautiful additions to recipes. Note

These delicious little Asian-style morsels are perfect tapas or cocktail food.

For a healthier option, use olive-oil spray instead of butter for pastry sheets. School prawns (shrimp) can also be used, or try crab or lobster meat. Note

Grand Marnier or Cointreau can be used for the orange-flavoured liqueur. Store truffles in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Truffles, without cocoa coating, can be frozen for up to 3 months. Remove from freezer 1 hour before serving and dusting with cocoa. Note

Mini lamb and mint skewers are a delicious and pretty addition to any platter.

Spanish-style spiced meatballs with a romesco sauce; a great tapas dish or sharing platter.

Delicious and flavour-packed Asian-style dumplings with a spicy dressing.

The perfect Asian starter dish; homemade spring rolls.