Hacks and snacks for Christmas

Add chicken wings and strips, sticky BBQ ribs, meatballs, sausage rolls, cheese grillers, boerewors bites, samoosas, onion rings, small quiches and devilled eggs to your savoury platters, all of which can made in advance.

Meatballs

Ingredients:

• 1kg lean mince
• 250ml breadcrumbs
• 1 onion, grated
• 125ml finely chopped fresh parsley
• 2 large eggs
• 1tsp kosher salt
• 1/4tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 180 degrees.

Combine the mince, breadcrumbs, onion, parsley, eggs, salt and pepper in a large bowl and mix until combined. Using a tablespoon measure, scoop and roll the meat into small meatballs.

Form mixture to desired size. Tablespoon amount recommended.

Bake in oven-proof dish for about 30min, depending on size.

Mini sausage rolls

Ingredients:

• 500g lean mince
• 1 onion finely chopped
• ½tbsp crushed garlic
• 125ml breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• Handful of finely chopped parsley
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pack of ready-rolled puff pastry
• 1 beaten egg, to glaze

Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until slightly softened. Add the garlic and cook 1 more minute. Remove from the heat and transfer the mixture to a plate. Let cool for 10 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine the mince, parsley, breadcrumbs, 1 egg, salt, pepper and cooled onion mixture. Mix well to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

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Meanwhile, open the puff pastry sheets on a very lightly floured cutting board or surface. Cut out desired size rectangles.

Remove the mince mixture from the refrigerator. Form each portion into the shape of a long log, and place one lengthwise in the center of each puff pastry rectangle. (The mince should stretch the full length of the pastry).

In a small bowl, beat the remaining egg. Brush all of the borders of the puff pastry with the egg and carefully roll the pastries over the sausage mixture to create a log shape.

Place each roll seam side down on a sheet tray. Refrigerate for up to 1 hour. Keep remaining egg for brushing sausage rolls before baking.

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees. Transfer the pieces to a parchment lined baking sheet, seam side down, about 2.5cm apart. Brush the tops with remaining egg wash. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the puff pastry is puffed and golden on top.

And of course the snack platter will not be complete without the dipping sauce.

Honey mustard sauce

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup yellow mustard
• 2 tbsp dijon mustard
• 2 tbsp mayo
• 2 tbsp honey
• ½ tsp grated garlic
• ¼ tsp salt

Mix all the ingredients together and serve with your snacks or platters.