‘Tips’ and recipes for your Hollywoodbets Durban July house party

NOT everyone will make it to the race tracks this Saturday as Durban’s most anticipated event on the social calendar, the Hollywoodbets Durban July.

Also read: Spices that heal and restore

If you’re planning on partying with friends at home, Chef Sharon Visagie from Capsicum Culinary Studio Durban provides an easy appetiser recipe to get the tummy lined, and a delicious cocktail recipe to get your guests in the mood. You won’t go wrong with these!

Tequila Lime Prawn Canapés

Ingredients
30 medium prawns, peeled and deveined
½ teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon crushed chilli flakes
salt and pepper to taste
60ml tequila
½ lime, juiced
½ cup coriander, chopped finely
125ml sour cream
1 lime, zested and juiced
1 gem lettuce, shredded

Method
Toss the prawns with cumin, smoked paprika, crushed chilli flakes, salt and pepper.
In a pan set over medium-high heat add prawns, tequila, and lime juice and cook until the prawns turn (30-60 seconds). Do not overcook or prawns will become tough. Remove from the heat and toss with most of the chopped coriander. In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, lime juice and the rest of the coriander. Fill the bottom of a shooter glass with the sour cream mixture, add a little of the gem lettuce, and place a warm shrimp or two on top. Serve, enjoy and place your bets!

Ride the Wave Breezer (makes 1)

Ingredients
44ml (tot) coconut rum
44ml (tot) fresh pineapple juice
22ml (½ tot) blue curaçao syrup
125ml lemonade
1 slice fresh pineapple
2 maraschino cherries (optional)

Method
Fill a daiquiri or hurricane glass ¾ full of crushed ice. In a cocktail shaker with ice, add the coconut rum, pineapple juice and blue curaçao and shake for 15 to 20 seconds. Strain into the prepared cocktail glass. Top with lemonade, add a straw and a pineapple slice on the rim and serve. To make it look extra sexy, thread two maraschino cherries onto a wooden cocktail stick and lay the stick across the top of the glass.

Five tips on how to be the hostess with the ‘mostess’:

1. Create self-service stations so your guests can help themselves. These include drinks and snacks. As a host, you don’t want to be missing in on the action because you have to play waitron all day long.
2. A theme would be great, and it doesn’t have to be fancy schmancy. Something as simple as asking guests to wear a hat or particular colour can work.
3. Create a playlist ahead of time so that you’re not scrambling to look for some beats.
4. Use the Hollywoodbets race home-pack as a betting game so guests can win their own mini jackpot.

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