I could not let the last post of 2013 be on anything other than by two favourite things! I must confess to having them both on a regular basis and not just on special occasions but as this will be my last post of 2013, it seems to be a fitting occasion.
Perfectly compatible with couches
Canapés have been around for a long time. The word itself stems from the French word for ‘couch’ with the analogy that the food sits on top of the base of bread as people would sit upon a couch. It works for me. I’d say they are perfectly compatible with couches!
Traditionally canapés would be made using stale white bread which would be cut into triangles, rounds or squares and then toasted, fried or sautéed before adding a, usually savoury, garnish. They would perhaps be salty or spicy so that people would drink more. I love how these have evolved to ‘mini dishes’ in their own right. I’ve experimented with savoury, spicy and sweet this year…
- Cinnamon Macarons, Lemon Macarons, Bucks Fizz Macarons ..
- Strawberry and Hazelnut Cakes
- Mini Filo Mince Pies
- Caramel Cups
- Courgette Puffs and Courgette Chocolate Bites
- Beetroot Truffles and Beetroot Pastries
But my favourite has to be the Blackberry Meringue Pies – so easy to make with any flavour curd or even some caramel in the little pastry.
Mini Meringue Pies
And if I had to choose a savoury I’d say it’s these Baked Okra with Coconut.
Okra with Coconut – Perfect Finger Food
Cocktails to cheer us all up after the storms
Most Americans would claim the cocktail as their own invention but the history seems to see the UK a firm contender. I would say that the Americans certainly add the panache and pizazz to this way of consuming alcohol. Every time I travel in America I am wowed by the bartending and cocktail shaking as well as the sheer list of innovations on the menu. I try something different but am always back to my trusted Gin and Tonic. Not really a cocktail in the true sense but glitzy enough for me and easily accessible to banish the stormy days.
My tipple of choice
It’s fun experimenting with cocktails at home – non alcoholic included. My girls love all the paraphernalia and have become little cocktail artists themselves.
Cocktail paraphernalia
Amy’s Tropical Paradise – start with a tablespoon of passion fruit juice, then mango, then passion-fruit, then mango, then passion-fruit juice and right at the end when the glass is nearly full you add three drops of blackcurrant cordial. Put the blueberries onto the drops of the blackcurrant cordial and a fat raspberry in the middle
And with that colourful concoction I raise my cocktail glass to you.
Thank you for visiting this blog and reading my ramblings and recipes. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to leave a comment. They light up my day. Have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a great start to 2014!