So, it’s that time of year. You’ve moved into your first, or second house and have set a date to have the gang round for pre-drinks, a house party or a catch-up. However, you’re going to need something to soak up the alcohol which suits everyone’s snacking needs. Here’s a guide to host the most fabulous re-freshers party on a student budget.
Fabulous Finger Food
Crispy Ripping Dipper
This is so simple, quick and tasty. It can be adapted to suit different people and can be made into a number of different things, making it one to remember for occasions like this!
Ingredients for Pizza Wrap:
Mixed herbs
Tortilla wraps
Tomato puree
Cheese
Topping of choice
Method:
Simply spread tomato sauce onto a tortilla base, sprinkle mixed herbs and grated cheese, then add toppings as you like (we recommend some spinach and pine nuts to make it super posh). Bake in the oven for around 8-10 mins or until crispy and brown. Either cut into slices/squares or leave whole for guests to rip off as they wish.
Ingredients for Crispy Dip:
Tortilla wraps
Tablespoon of butter
½ clove garlic
Dip of choice
Method:
Crush the garlic and mix with the butter. Spread this over the wrap and then fold in half loosely so that there is a small gap in the folding, instead of the sides being pressed together. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes, or until crispy at the edges. Serve on a plate with your dip of choice, such as guacamole or garlic sour cream.
Cheeky Chickpea Bites
Why have boring old crisps when you can home bake some delicious crunchy snacks at home? These easy grazing and spicy little treats will soon become a new food craze.
Ingredients:
Chickpeas
1 tsp chili powder
1 tbsp paprika
1 tbsp ground garlic
Method:
Mix chili powder, paprika and garlic together. Place chickpeas on a baking tray and then sprinkle the powder mix all over the chickpeas, shaking them a little so they are covered. Place in oven at 200 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden and crisp. Serve in small nut bowls for easy picking.
Tasty Tipples
Party Rum Punch
A taste that will turn your home into the Caribbean and put everyone in a party spirit that will keep them filling up their glass all night! We recommend you make two batches for a big do.
Ingredients:
5 cups of rum
2/3 cup of grenadine
6 cups of fresh orange juice
6 cups of fresh pineapple juice
2 cups of lemonade
A splash of cranberry juice
2 limes
2 lemons
One orange
Method:
Mix the rum and the grenadine together into a large glass (if possible) bowl, then add fruit juices and lemonade. Slice lemon, lime and orange and add to the bowl. Leave big soup spoons in the bowl for people to help themselves and we recommend leaving plastic/ paper cups by the side of the bowl.
Siesta Sangria
A sophisticated sense of satisfying wine, in a fruity help yourself style.
Ingredients:
1 jug
2 sliced oranges
2 sliced pears
2 sliced limes
2 sliced lemons
1 bottle of Spanish (if possible) red wine
1/2 cup of orange juice
1/2 cup of lemonade
Method:
Place fruit in the bottom of the jug and if it’s see through then layer the fruits so you can see them stacked on top of each other. Mix together the wine, orange juice and lemonade and add this to the jug. Serve next to glasses and with a little fancy umbrella stick to really set it off!
So, there you have it. A few handy recipes for the perfect party, whether it’s a chilled housewarming in your new living room, pre-drinks at yours or you’re the host of the next epic house party, these quick, cheap and easy little tricks have got you covered.
Lydia Eccleston
Images: Lydia Eccleston, Dennis Skley via Flickr, Sally via Flickr, Didriks via Flickr, Sylvia Wrigley via Flickr
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