Nibbles you can prepare ahead of time so you can enjoy your New Year party too

LITTLE nibbles and finger foods are an integral part of throwing a successful New Year party.

Keep it simple when planning your menu and be clever this year; choose options that can be prepared ahead of time.

Here are some easy and tasty canapés to celebrate the New Year in style.

Remember, nothing is cast in stone. These are super ideas, but you can adjust ingredients to suit your taste.

MENU

Cheeseboard sticks

Stuffed baby potatoes

Ham and parmesan bites

Crostini

Pigs in blankets

Crab toasts

CHEESEBOARD STICKS

Grapes, cut in half

Pineapple, cut into chunks or tinned

Gherkins

Cheeses cut into cubes

Cocktail pickled onions

Frankfurters

Chorizo sausage

Meatballs

Ham

Toothpicks or mini skewers

Olives

Thread a nice selection of the above ingredients onto cocktail sticks or mini skewers.

BABY POTATOES

Cook the potatoes until tender. Cut slits in the top, press to open and top with sour cream or cream cheese and a little sprig of parsley.

HAM AND PARMESAN BITES

Puff pastry

Ham

Parmesan cheese

Roll out the pastry to a rectangle.

Place slices of ham and sprinkle with cheese.

Roll up and slice. Place on baking dish and put in the fridge.

Shortly before your guests arrive, pop in a hot oven until nicely browned and serve.

CROSTINI

French bread loaf

olive oil

garlic

Topping ideas: cream cheese, salmon, onion marmalade, cheese and tomato, tuna mayo

Note: You can also use slices of cucumber as a base rather than bread.

Slice the French bread into diagonal slices. Rub with garlic, Drizzle with olive oil and bake till nicely browned.

Place these in a sealed container until the evening. Prepare your toppings and place in fridge.

Just before the party guests arrive, place the crusty French bread on a platter and put on your favourite toppings. Serve.

PIGS IN BLANKETS

Cooked cocktail sausages or frankfurters

Streaky bacon

Cheese cut into slices

Take a piece of bacon and wrap around the frankfurter or cocktail sausage with a slice of cheese.

Bake in a hot oven until the bacon is nicely browned.

CRAB TOASTS

Sliced bread

Olive oil for brushing

1 ripe avocado

Finely grated zest and juice ½ lemon, plus extra juice

100g cooked crabmeat or tuna

½ red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

80g mayonnaise

Small bunch fresh coriander, chopped, plus extra to garnish

Heat the oven to 180°C . Take a round biscuit cutter and cut out circles from the bread.

Flatten slightly, brush with oil, then toast in the oven for about 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Prepare these in the morning and place in an airtight container.

Stone and peel the avocado. Mash with the juice of half a lemon, add the cooked crabmeat, chilli, mayo and coriander.

Season to taste, add more lemon juice if it’s too rich.

Top the toasts with the crab mixture and a sprig of coriander. Serve.

HAVE YOUR SAY

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