quick bites for a hungry crowd
It tends to happen when you least expect it. "I'll invite some people over for dinner and some quiet drinks" you may think to yourself, one quiet Monday evening. "Maybe this one, and this one's girlfriend, and then that one. Oh! And I have to invite so-and-so because I've been promising to for so long..." So you tally up names and count out invites, always leaving room for a 20% no-can-do rate. You send your invites out exactly (and only) one week before, so that the chances of everybody turning up to your little party are at 70%, and then everybody says yes. And you're suddenly feeding 20.
And you're thrilled! Because just about everybody can come! And then you're freaking. out. because. everybody. can. come.
So here's some little things you can throw together that will make it look like you've gone to a whole heap of effort, when really, it wasn't all that bad.
figgy ricotta & honey pancakes
These are a treat. All you need to do is make a standard pancake recipe (there's a good one right here), but little. So instead of making standard 10-15cm across pancakes, make them 5-7cm across. Small spoonfuls should do it.
plate of pancakes
Instant crowd pleaser.
drizzling the honey on top
First, prick your eggplants all over with a fork & stick them under the grill at 200C for about 20 minutes, or until they feel squishy. Turn them over every now and then while they're grilling. They'll end up looking as below.
grilled eggplants
easy peel
eggplants draining
The trick to quick and easy roast potatoes is boiling them first. Stick 'em in a pot with some salted water and let go crazy while you're preparing your other food.
boiling the 'taters
boiled potatoes
Couscous is so versatile it's almost embarrassing. I like to add a lump of butter and some sultanas or raisins to the mix before adding the hot water to it (just follow the packet instructions, or take a squiz at one of my previous recipes for ideas).
couscous, ready for wa-ter!
So, what are your quick & easies (but oh-so-impressives) for big groups or gatherings?
11 bites more:
those pancakes were the bomb!
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*laughs* "a lump" of butter?! omg that is one freaking huge lump! (can ya handle it?)
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Whoaaa, I would be freaaaaaking out! Looks like you threw a wonderful get-together with amazing food though! That smoky eggplant dip sounds MMMMM!
Labels: quick bites, recipes
The pancakes look beautiful! You make the eggplant dip sound easy too. I'll have to try it.
Labels: quick bites, recipes
What great ideas. I always freak out when it comes to feeding big groups, mostly because I try to cook too many things! Rice paper spring rolls are always a favourite, even if they're slightly labour intensive.
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Great work with the spread! :)
Have you tried grilling the eggplants on a charcoal grill. If done right, they render down to a mahogany-like colour which brings a wonderfully sublime flavour and smokiness to the dip. It's a bit of effort but I think it's well worth it.
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Ooh yummmm everything sound simple yet tasty mmm ^^!
Labels: quick bites, recipes
Mouth-closed Cat: glad you liked em :) your sher-ducken was a work of art.
chocolatesuze: butter = flavour. hence lump of butter. it's not as thick as it looks!
jesse: thankyou! i quite like having people over so not so big a deal - and when just about everything can be preprepared, it's not so hard at all.
Arwen: thanks :) i accidentally put too much garlic in the eggplant dip ('twas quite spicy after that) so have toned the receipe down accordingly...
Y: me too! tried to be sensible this time around though. rice paper rolls are a great crowd pleaser, but i'm way too lazy to do all that chopping & prep work.
Simon: i have, but what with the other stuff i had to prepare (this is only half of it) just didn't have the time. it is lovely though.
FFichiban: *bows* hehe - quite good for a saturday cook up no? ;)
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What did the other half end up being? Perhaps another post?
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Simon: nah... it got eaten too quickly. also, i'd done some of the recipes previously. it consisted of chicken satay, sticky rice, baducken, bocconcini/tomato/rocket/mango salad, chips & fresh salsa and a chocolate&pear pudding (for dessert). went down a treat :)
Labels: quick bites, recipes
the couscous (so good, they had to name it twice) and almonds and sultanas sounds divine i've written it into my diary! :)
will omit roast pumpkin and chopped parsley to make it sweet not savoury :)
Labels: quick bites, recipes
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