Help with nibbles!

[denisesykes]

Hi there
We have decided to be brave and host our first ever NZ party to 'warm' our new home.We have invited a mix of work collegues, neighbours and kid's friend's parents to join us for 'drinks and nibbles' this Saturday.
However, I am now panicing as I have no idea whether people will bring their own drink , will they bring a plate, and in any event what shall I provide?.
I have had a quick look round Pak n Save and Woolworths but the choice of prepacked 'party' food is not quite up to Tescos standard!!!
I am not much of a cook (although since living here I have made some effort!) but now realise that I will have to roll up my sleeves and provide some home cooked delicacies!!
Any ideas anyone?
Denise

[baboonworld]

u can buy frozen sausage rolls (in long strips) - you defrost them, cut the into smaller peices, score them across the top and brush with milk/butter(?) - they are easy!

good kiwi fave - coleslaw - make your own or buy from paknsave.

stuffed jacket potatoes - small ones, roast, scoop out the middle, mix is with grated cheese, sweetcorn, bacon (chopped and fried), and then put tops back on and heat to melt cheese (serve with sour cream).

I think people will bring their own drinks - but would always get some beer in and maybe a box of white wine??

(or a keg if you are feeling very kiwified!!)

[smitjo]

How about a few simple ideas:

- chunks of cheese and pickled onions/pineapple on toothpicks stuck into half an orange?
- bolied eggs - scoop out the yolk and mix it with mayo, salt & pepper and then put back into the egg with a bit of parsley on each.
- little party sausages - if you can find them in NZ?

Now this is all making me really hungry

[Bubbles]

What about....................

Quiche http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...ne_68110.shtml
Pizza bites http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/food/r...ian&oper_10=eq
Cooked cold meats
Scotch eggs
Salsa dips
Kedgeree http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...ee_11358.shtml
Herby mini roast potatoes
Potatoe wedges
Rice : spicy or veggie or just plain http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...ya_68037.shtml
Spicy chicken wings
Cajun chicken strips
Lemon chicken strips http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...sw_71103.shtml
Chillie chicken strips
Samosas http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/da...as_81201.shtml

Or a massive bowl of crisps and lots and lots of beer

Or trawl through this link. Some good bits in there if you're prepared to go through them. http://www.enz.org/forum/showthread....0&page=1&pp=10

Hope this helps and it goes well for you

John

[reevos]

Hey

What fun ...hope it goes well ... here's a thought ...tortilla's (can you get them in NZ?) -then spread cream cheese on them ... put in some ham to cover and then roll them up ... cut into little bits and you have nice circular nibbles!!!! - you can even put in olives cut thin or lettuce etc ... just a bit nicer looking than the usual stuff...

5 layer dip ... shredded lettuce at bottom .... then creme fraiche or sour cream mixed with about half a packet of taco mix or similar ... salsa on top of that ... then grated cheese and then on top slivers of olive or even tiny chunks of celery... served with dipping chips.... we love it and it loks good too!!!!

Good luck

Katy

[StevieD]

Good luck!! Good veggie pate - 1 large tin kidney beans, tsp tomato puree, 1 clove of crushed garlic , olive oil to make good consistency, blend it all up and use of crusty bread or crackers - absolutely yummy.

[sizzlingbadger]

Good Luck, should be good fun.

We've held a few parties now and it seems the norm for people to ask what they can bring. Even if you tell them not to worry they usually bring something :-)

If it's a really good weather day get the barbie out. Nothing here beats a good barbie even if it's in the rain ! Our last drinks and nibbles turned out to be full bbq with salads and coleslaw and lots of puddings, very easy especially when the guys do the cooking.

[sarahw]

Well I'll agree with you there on the old party food or lack of but there's loads of things you can do instead...

Cheerios (not the breakfast cereal) but - go to the sausage counter - they're the little red sausages - yummy and not a kiwi party without them!

Chips (crisps) & dips

Everyone seems to do crackers and humous at Morning teas! And rice cracker thingys

Sausage rolls you can find in the frozen section in rolls in Pak n' Save

I usually make bruschetta (loads of recipes on web & cheap, quick & easy to make)

You'll probably find that people bring 'a plate' of food with them - its quite the norm that you don't end up killing yourself catering for everyone like you do in the UK - very little is expected!

Have fun!

[Smiler]

I saw loads of little pastry cases that you could throw fillings in, today in Moore Wilson.
or
In a heat proof serving dish spread a thick layer of gaucamole, a layer of tomato salsa, then dollops of sour cream and sprinkle with grated cheese. You can prepare all this a while beforehand, shove under the grill to melt the cheese and then serve with a bowl of nacho's, scrummy. People just dive in.

[denisesykes]

Thanks everyone for their fantastic ideas for my party. All went well , we had about 40+ people and apart from me leaving some stuff in the fridge after 1 too many wines (!) the food was a great success!
Thanks once again!
Denise