Try something different to tickle your tastebuds this Christmas

Drinks served before dinner need a bit of ‘blotting paper’ to go with them. Nuts and raisins, crisps and popcorn are all very well but it’s time to try something a bit more festive.

Shrimp-stuffed avocado

In a food processor, combine 500g cooked peeled shrimp, 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise, 1
clove garlic, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, ¾ teaspoon of paprika, and ¼ teaspoon each of
cayenne pepper and salt; pulse just until shrimp is chopped. Cut mini avocados in half and
remove the stones. Spoon the shrimp filling into the avocados. Garnish with finely chopped
parsley. (Note: The shrimp filling can be made and refrigerated up to 24 hours ahead.)

Red and green bites

In a medium bowl, stir together ¾ cup guacamole, ¼ cup of sour cream and 2 teaspoons of
lime juice. Dollop or pipe onto 24 thick-cut tortilla chips. Top each with ½ teaspoon pomegranate seeds.

Ricotta-stuffed olives

In a small bowl, stir together ¼ cup of ricotta cheese, 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh
basil, 2 teaspoons lemon juice, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper until well combined. Transfer to
a sandwich-sized resealable plastic bag. Push filling into 1 corner; snip off corner to form
very small hole. Slowly pipe filling into very large pitted green olives.

Stuffed dried fruit

Split the fruit (apricots, dates, or prunes) leaving a hinge. Remove stones. Place a piece of
feta cheese in each fruit and squeeze the fruit around the filling, to close it slightly.

This appetizer is a sneaky way to bring some greens to your Christmas party. Plus, the can be made in advance and frozen for easy meal prep.

All you need is 6 basics ingredients: Spinach – fresh or frozen, Eggs, Grated cheese of your choice – I probably tried 10 different sort of hard grated cheese and all goes well. My favorite are cheddar and mozzarella. Panko crumbs – gluten free or not as you like. Fresh herbs – parsley or coriander are my favorite. Garlic salt – or fresh garlic and salt but I am lazy sometime and both result in a delicious spinach ball.

Mix ingredients in a  large mixing bowl. Roll into balls and freeze. When needed defrost and bake.

Maple Bacon Smokies

A must make for all holiday parties. Ingedients include: ½kg mini hot dogs, patted dry, 8 slices bacon, (cut into strips), 1/4 cup maple syrup, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper.

Directions: Preheat oven to 180° and line a medium baking sheet with baking paper. Pat mini hot dogs dry with paper towel and wrap with bacon. Place on baking sheet seam side down. In a medium bowl, combine maple syrup with brown sugar and cayenne pepper. Brush onto mini hot dogs and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until bacon is crisp. Serve.