Party food for home or away

Going to (or having) a 'do' this weekend and not sure what to make?! See below for some tasty ideas 👇

T’is the season for end of year gatherings, school picnics, street parties, work parties and family catch ups.

And t’is also the season, if you prefer, for quiet summer nights in the garden with a handful of friends, tea light candles in a jar, a cold bottle of rose and nice tunes playing, though barely audible over the cicada chorus.

However we are or would like to spend this weekend, here are three tasty things I propose we cook at some point. Either as a whole menu for an easy, generous and good meal, or in pieces to take to gatherings when been asked to bring something (my favourite kind, as you may have guessed by the title of my most recent book…ahem).

If making this menu as a whole…

You’ll note there’s no ‘entree’ here. I don’t think we need a much as a starter on a warm day but it’s nice to have something out when everyone arrives, so what about a bowl of salmon rillette with another of good salt and vinegar chips (you can make this in 10 minutes, it’s REALLY easy, I’ve put a recipe below). Or perhaps a bowl of nuts, another of shards of sharp cheddar or parmesan and another of fresh or sweet pickled cherries (recipe also below).

You’ll also note this is a meat-free menu. Now that’s all good with me, obviously, because I’m out here spruiking it. But if you feel like you’d like to have something more on offer, what about a platter of charcuterie (some nice sliced salami and/or proscuitto?), or some gravlax? Or you could bring the rillette I mentioned above into the main meal and serve it alongside the tart with some crusty bread. Or whatever you like.

Timing

Ok so let’s say this is going to be a late lunch at home on Saturday. Here’s a suggested timeline…

Saturday morning first thing - let’s do an hour of power:

1. Make and chill the pastry (or take your ready made pastry out of the freezer to thaw).

2. Whisk together the tart filling and pop in the fridge till needed.

3. Make your almond cakes.

4. Make the mayo (or stir the horseradish through pre-bought stuff).

5. Set the table! Or drag one outside under a tree to set later.

6. Put a couple of bottles of rose (or your preferred beverage) in the fridge.

Saturday about 12 ish (or an hour before you’d like to be eating:

1. Preheat oven to 200C.

2. Assemble and cook the tarts.

3. Ice the cakes.

4. Assemble the salad.

5. Put out some nibbles and some nice tunes.

6. Open the door, usher everyone in, have a lovely time.

Find all the recipes below, or download them and the shopping list as a pdf (also below).

Happy cooking and please let me know how you go. If there’s anything you’d like covered here, please pop in a comment below and we can workshop.

In the meantime, thank you so much for being here, have a great weekend! Sophie x