Cocktail food

Perfect barbecue snacks, these coconut prawns on a stick are quick and tasty.

Enjoy the party sans spirits with this summery mocktail recipe. It's easy to make and a great idea for parties.

For that party, barbecue or family get-together, it's tempting to just scoop up a selection of dips from the supermarket. Make your own, however, and you'll save money, know exactly what has gone into the food, plus most homemade dips, like this one, are ridiculously quick and easy to make.

Create finger food that boasts a wow factor - combining starchy potato and sago with peanuts and fragrant spices to form these indian-inspired patties.

Let your barbecue send you to Greece with this fish-style souvlaki recipe. Popping with chunks of zucchini and capsicum these kebabs are best served with cooling tzatziki.

Luca Villari turns on the charm with this seductive, elegant dish to impress your guests

Megan May’s crisp raw cannelloni make an outstanding bite-sized canapé for a dinner party or an elegant amuse-bouche

Simple and fresh, these prawn and vegetable spring rolls with soft vermicelli noodles will allow you to recreate a taste of Vietnam. Savour their fish and sweet citrus punch during the balmy Australian summer or as a lunch or dinner starter all year round.

Create your very own greek perfect match by grilling or barbecuing these rosemary stem, marinated lamb skewers and serving with a renowned garlicky yoghurt sauce.

These visually stunning filo parcels are packed with uplifting goodness, ready to share.

Bruschetta is an antipasto, or starter, from Italy that like so many other Italian delights has been adopted by the rest of the world! This spinach and mushroom version is simple but yummy.

These tantalising pastries are encased with greek fetta and herbs to give a mediterranean flavour hit. Prepare in advance for easy to cook cocktail food or starters on any special occasion.

These ricotta and parmesan cheese stuffed zucchini flowers make for standout finger food, a simply good lunch or crispy snack.

Create the perfect little snack in no time at all with just three ingredients: icing sugar, cinnamon and all the almonds you can eat.

Quick and easy, these pizzas are just the ticket for a lazy lunch or laidback dinner - just throw in a salad! A great way to use up leftover Christmas ham.

Lime, coriander and lemongrass will send you on a Thai adventure with every tantalising bite. These seafood skewers are perfect for entertaining unless you want to save them all for yourself.

Combine zesty lime with rum and the distinct aroma of mint to create this knockout, refreshing punch.

Serve your guests this delicious canape that takes just 15 minutes to make. Just drizzle cranberry sauce over juicy chicken strips and serve on a crisp lettuce leaf.

Need a small snack to offer while entertaining but prefer savoury over sweet? These cheese biscuits are just the thing for you but be careful your guests don't gobble them all up before you get to try one!

Get the party started with these easy to make cheese twists. Great for lunchboxes as well!

Get the party started with chicken wings and mini legs and an irresistible, tangy ranch dressing. Teenagers will make this disappear in seconds.

These crispy spring rolls will be ready to eat in just half an hour. They're great as an appetiser or cook up a batch next time you're expecting a crowd over.

Kohlrabi cabbage creates a crispy fritter for dipping. You can also use broccoli instead.

This vegetarian recipe is perfect finger food for your next party, barbecue or family gathering. If you have many mouths to feed, this will make enough for 10 or more people.

This cocktail makes a great palate cleanser between courses or a low-fat dessert.

Use fresh or frozen octopus for this stunning chilli and lemon combo.

This simple beetroot dip takes just 5 minutes to prepare. But if you've the time or the inclination, using fresh beetroot instead of canned will give the dip a truly rich and earthy flavour.

This super-easy recipe uses spinach leaves instead of the traditional vine leaves ... and the flavoursome filling makes these dolmades small parcels of heaven.

Little guests at your next children's party will love these super-easy mini sausage rolls.

Serving this traditional, flavoursome spanish rice dish in small bowls topped with prawns, makes it versatile for any occasion and time of year.

Tasty homemade sausage rolls are perfect for a picnic or party or lunchbox. Classic Aussie fare with tomato sauce.

Make these hours ahead of the party and relax. Adjust the dipping sauce to the spice you like. Kids also love making rice-paper rolls.

Crunch into these pies to taste the delicious, cheesy tuna centre. Serve with a fresh salad for a hearty meal or cut the pastry smaller to add a twist to the classic party pie.

With celery, cabbage and sweet chilli sauce these Chinese meatballs show that you don't have to be European to make these bite-sized treats.

Served with two simple dips, this homemade damper is a perfect accompaniment ... or make the damper as a stand-alone part of any family meal.

Eggplant and tarragon create an earthy deep flavour for this dip. Add crunch with radish on the side or serve with olives and grissini.

This light and easy tart is great finger food for your next party or family gathering. Or you can cut into slices and serve with salad for lunch.

Use seasonal fruit of choice and to suit your budget. Note

Light, creamy and packed full of flavour, this gorgeous avocado pate is beautiful spread on crackers and served as part of a tasting plate for afternoon tea or nibbles to accompany a glass of wine.

This is an excellent way to use pearly white button mushrooms when you can find them. Note

A lamb and chickpea meatball recipe that makes a great serving idea for a dinner party or as finger food. Serve with a coriander and yoghurt dip.

Cups may be prepared ahead and stored in an airtight container, but they are best served warm. Note

Cut fish into cubes the same width as the chorizo slices. Note

Sophie Gray’s pastry twizzlers make a tasty snack, a quick lunch or a light dinner

Now is the time to show off autumn vegetables by using their striking colours and varied textures to make impressive, delicious and nutritious dishes

With a pleasant smoky flavour from the deliberate charring of the eggplant skin, this delightful and delicious eggplant dip is perfect to eat with flat breads or vegetable crudit�s.

Toasts with chicken livers

Rice paper wrappers are found in Asian section of supermarkets. Note

Try these chic bites for your next big do

Try these chic bites for your next big do

Peeled prawns are available from seafood section of your supermarket. Remember to remove vein from prawn. Some ideas for sauces are sweet chilli or sweet and sour. Note

Clean scallops with point of a sharp knife. If scallops in shell are unavailable, line a steamer basket with baking paper, arrange scallops on paper, drizzle with marinade and continue as directed. Note

Spring roll wrappers are found in freezer section of supermarkets or Asian specialty stores. Makes 12 Note

You should have about 24 slices of bread in total. For an added touch, before chilling cover pat‚ with a little melted butter and some chopped herbs. Note

Encourage guests to help themselves by spreading pita with baba ghanoush, topping it with the lamb – removed from the skewers then sprinkling with spice mix and rolling up to enclose. A mortar and pestle can be used to crush the seed and spice mix if you don’t have a blender. Note

These may be served without being fried. Note

If desired, melt a little extra low-fat butter alternative and spread over top of pate before chilling. Note

Tuna sushi sandwiches

Suitable to freeze. Not suitable to microwave. Note

Daikon is a long white radish that’s primarily used in Japanese cooking. It tastes a lot like young turnips, which can be used as a substitute. Use a vegetable peeler to make long, thin strips for salads and garnishes. Note

Spicy chevups are also available. Note

Makes 24 Note

Add 2 tablespoons of ground pine nuts to the breadcrumb and parmesan mixture, if desired. Note

It’s time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Julie Biuso shows how to create a perfect snack-sized dish to serve up with summer drinks.

Master the skills to make this fancy small plate by Luca Villari and become a dinner party guru

It’s time to enjoy the outdoors with friends and family. Julie Biuso shows how to create a perfect snack-sized dish to serve up with summer drinks.

Many countries claim dolmas or dolmades as their own. What makes this version Armenian is the addition of dill and cinnamon. Vary this dish with either sultanas or chopped dried apricots instead of currants, and oregano in place of dill. Note

These lamb and chickpea balls are a little spicy but very delicious when served with homemade coriander dip. They make the perfect tasty tapas dish to serve for friends and family.

It’s best not to place the mozzarella under the decorations, as they will slide off the pizzas as the cheese melts. Note