Theme Party: Oscars Apps - Top 3 Easy Winners

It just occurred to me that the Oscars are around the corner and many of my friends like to make that an excuse to dress up, party and eat some fancy apps. This year I have been invited to a kid's birthday party so I won't be able to make any of these but hopefully someone out there will get a chance to try this out.

Puff pastry pinwheels

1 large sheet of puff pastry (12 x 12 inches)
1 cup grated mozzarella
2-3 tbsps sweet chilli sauce
1 cup turkey or chicken bacon cut in thin strips.
2-3 tbsps sliced spring onions

Fry the turkey bacon till crispy. Drain well on some paper towel. Roll out the dough. I buy prerolled dough it makes it a lot easier. What ever size you buy make sure the pinwheel is roughly 2-3 inches in diameter.

Spread the chilli sauce over the puff pastry, sprinkle the turkey bacon, spring onion and the cheese. Roll into a tight spiral roughly 2 - 3 inches in diameter. Cover with cling film and freeze for about 20 - 40 mins. When it's firm but not rock solid, cut into discs with a sharp serrated knife. You can either refreeze this, storing the discs in layers or bake them in a 350 degree oven for 20 mins till light golden brown.

Red pepper hummus and spiced lamb bites

20 - 30 pieces mini pitas (app size)
1 can drained chick peas or equivalent dried chickpeas soaked and boiled
Juice of one lemon
2-3 pods roasted garlic
Bottled roasted red peppers
Tahina
salt pepper
500 gms ground lamb
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1 tbsp all spice powder
1 small finely chopped onion
Pinch of chili powder or paprika
Pine nuts optional

Hummus
Grind the chick peas together with the lemon juice. Add 2 - 3 tbsps of tahina, roasted garlic, salt and pepper. Add two large bottled red peppers. Add a tiny bit of water if required.

Lamb
Fry the onion till golden brown. Add the meat and spices. Cook on high for 10 mins or more stirring frequently.

Top each mini pita with hummus, then minced lamb and sprinkle with pine nuts and parsley. If you cannot find mini pitas, use the smallest ones you can find and cut them in triangles. You may need to toast them so they are sturdy enough to hold the hummus and lamb.

Tandoori and pistachio bites

2 chicken breasts cut in cubes
1/2 cup chopped pistachios
1 tbsp tandoori spice
2 tbsps yoghurt
1/2 tbsp ginger paste
1/2 tbsp garlic paste
Salt and pepper.


This sounds like a weird combination but is really quite delicious. Marinate the chicken breasts with all the ingredients except the pistachios. Marinate it preferably overnight. Before serving, dredge each piece in the chopped nuts and shallow fry. Serve pierced with a cocktail sticks.

For dessert, you can serve mini cheesecakes!