Five easy starters/snacks/canapes

My other half does like to drop me in it where entertaining is concerned. I get home from work, get the dogs walked, children to bed, iron on ready to tackle the usual mountain range of school uniforms, work shirts, tshirts.... and he announces that friends will be here shortly. For dinner. For drinks. For something I am utterly unprepared for.


Panic sets in. A sweat breaks out. Are the loos clean? (They're always clean, I have some sort of mild bleach addiction). Does our house smell of dog and sweaty trainers? Do we have any wine? Has the makeup I applied at 6am deteriorated to Joker-esque standards?

But it's alllll good. I keep a few staples in the fridge/freezer that have got me out of this exact situation numerous times. And I'm sharing them with you. Even if you haven't got people coming round and just want to enjoy something yummy with minimum effort - here you go!

L xx

1. Pea soup shots
Pan fry a chopped onion & three cloves of garlic in some butter.
Add half a bag of frozen peas and enough vegetable stock to cover.
Bring to the boil and then simmer until cooked.
Use a handheld blender to reduce to a soup, adding more stock if required.
Serve in small shot glasses, with hot buttered bread (par-baked rolls are your saviour).
Leftover soup freezes like a dream.

2. Potato rosti
Peel a potato & grate into a tea towel.
Wrap in the towel and squeeze as much water out as possible.
Melt a small amount of butter in a pan, and use a small metal cake cutter/mould/ring to fill with grated potato, pressing down firmly.
This will probably make about five small rostis.
Cook for a couple of minutes, then flip over and cook for a couple of minutes on the other side.
Serve with a salsa, relish, or simply with a small salad & some balsamic glaze.

3. Wrapped mushroooms
Remove the stalks from closed cup mushrooms.
Fill with herby cream cheese.
Wrap in thin strips of ham (or Parma Ham if you have it).
Bake for 15 minutes at 180c.

4. Puff pastry canapes
Using a sheet of ready rolled puff pastry, cut into one inch squares.
Top with a variety of tasty toppings, such as small amounts of cheese & chutney, chicken & pesto, beef & horseradish - whatever you have to hand in the fridge!
Bake for 15-20 minutes until cooked.

5. Cheesy finger dippers
Slice small fingers of a good quality, slightly crumbly cheese such as Yorkshire Wensleydale.
Dip in egg and then in breadcrumbs.
Bake for 15 - 20 minutes until golden brown.
Serve with a sauce such as cranberry, or sweet chilli & dip!