Page 40 - COMING UNSTUCK by Sara tuck

Lots of people get a bit stuck when it comes advance, then only require a bit of last-minute
to making nibbly bits to serve with drinks cooking or re-heating. I regularly make the
and end up offering the same old thing time corn & prawn fritters (see p57), fish bites with
and again – I know I do it myself – but it’s Sriracha mayo (see p41) or Japanese chicken
nice to extend your repertoire every now and curry balls (see p43) then plan the rest of my
then. If you’ve just started to poke your head food and drinks around them. For example
above the parapet after having a crappy time, the curry balls are brilliant served as the
having friends around for drinks and nibbles ‘naughty’ part of a line up that includes sushi
instead of dinner can be a good way to go, and sashimi and a few bowls of edamame
especially if they’re good mates and you can beans. Another nice addition is to serve mini
ask everyone to bring a plate. Generally you bowls of the salmon & rice salad (see p83) on
only need a selection of three to five things, the side. Just add a few bottles of Asahi beer
and even less if one of those things is a vast and some Japanese whisky and you’re done!
antipasto platter…there’s no shame in letting
a good deli do most of the work! I often The wonderful thing about nibbly bits and
serve tomato bruschetta (see p58) alongside soup are that both can be subbed for meals
bowls of plump olives, buffalo mozzarella on many occasions by just serving more or
and beautifully aged prosciutto, all drizzled bigger versions – for example I would happily
in extra virgin olive oil. Sprinkle a few basil eat a few smoked fish croquettes (see p51)
leaves around, break out the Negronis and with a salad for dinner; any spare double-
Aperol spritzes (see p244) and a few drinks baked cauliflower soufflés (see p62) make the
turns into a mini party. ultimate sad-arse dinner; and there are many
nights when I’m incredibly satisfied with
Loads of hot nibbles (and lets face it, they’re a bowl of the stormy night carrot & coriander
always popular) are easy to prepare in soup (see p49) and some grainy bread.

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