THINGS ON STICKS

Everyone loves food on sticks, wrapped in bacon or not. Frankly, I think half the fun of planning a party is  the chance to create some new combinations and serve some old classics (honey-glazed sausage, anyone?). Here are a few of my current favourite things on sticks. They are fairly free-form – each idea is for one stick – just make as many as you need.

EACH RECIPE MAKES 1

1. FETA, WATERMELON AND MINT

1 mint leaf

1 cube of ripe watermelon

1 cube of good-quality Greek feta cheese

ROASTED VEGETABLE MEDLEY

2 slices of roasted carrot

1 slice of roasted baby aubergine

1 slice of roasted courgette

1 piece of Roasted Red Pepper

…all drizzled with some  reduced balsamic vinegar

4. FIG, BOCCONCINI, HAM AND BASIL

¼ ripe fig

1 basil leaf

1 strip of prosciutto ham

1 small bocconcini or cube of mozzarella cheese

5. SMOKY THE DUCK

¼ pickled walnut

1 small slice of smoked duck

5. CONQUISTADOR ON HORSEBACK

1 slice of bottled piquillo pepper

1 small slice of Serrano ham

1 cube of Manchego cheese

This is an extract from The Art of the Party by Kay Plunkett-Hogge. For more recipes like this one, check out the Cookbook Confidential blog.