With Euro ’16 in full swing, here are some quick and easy snacking ideas to enjoy with friends or family in front of the TV whilst watching the beautiful game.
Cheese and Ale Rarebit
- 225g Cheddar cheese, grated
- 25g butter
- ½ tsp dry mustard or ¼ tsp dried chilli flakes
- 4 tbsp Ale of choice
- Toasted bread
Place all of the ingredients into a heavy based saucepan and heat gently until a creamy mix is formed. Pour over the toast and grill until golden and bubbling.
Pitta Bread Pizzas
- Pitta bread
- Your choice of toppings
- Tinned tomatoes
- Cheddar cheese or mozzarella
Toast pitta bread on one side and top with a tablespoon of drained chopped tinned tomatoes and a topping of your choice e.g. salami and mushroom, ham and pineapple, tuna and sweetcorn. Finish with grated cheddar cheese or thinly sliced mozzarella and grill until golden and bubbling.
Chicken Strips with Spicy Dip
- 1-2 chicken breasts
- 1 egg white
- Crushed cornflakes
- 2 tbsp mayaonnaise
- 1-2 tsp tomato puree
- ¼ tsp ground chilli powder
Cut the chicken breasts into strips, coat in lightly whisked egg white and then crushed cornflakes, place onto a lightly oiled baking tray and cook in a preheated oven, 200 C, Gas 6 for 8-10 minutes. Serve with a dip made from mixing the mayonnaise, tomato puree and ground chilli powder together.
Potato Wedges
- Potatoes
- Paprika or dried mixed herbs
Cut a large potato or sweet potato lengthways into 8 wedges, place onto a baking tray and drizzle with 1-2 tsp oil. Sprinkle with ground paprika or dried mixed herbs and cook in a preheated oven, Gas 6, 200 C for approx. 30 minutes until golden brown, turning halfway through cooking. Serve with garlic mayonnaise or crème fraiche mixed with garlic or herbs.
Lime and Chilli Prawns
- Cooked, peeled prawns
- Ginger
- Garlic
- Chilli
- Lime juice
Marinade cooked, peeled prawns in chopped ginger, garlic, a little chopped chilli to taste and lime juice for at least 30 minutes ( this could be done well before the match starts), thread onto cocktail sticks or skewers and grill for 4-5 minutes to heat through and lightly brown, turning halfway through cooking.
Spiced Nuts
- Your choice of nuts
- Paprika or curry powder
Heat 2-3 tbsp oil in a deep frying pan, add 100g nuts e.g. peanuts, cashew nuts or almonds, cook, shaking occasionally until golden brown. remove from the heat and toss in ground paprika or curry powder. Cool a little before eating.
Wendy Strang has been working as a consultant Home Economist/Food Stylist for over 20 years for a variety of food and appliance manufacturers, writing recipes, styling food for stills photography and film for advertising and editorial purposes. Wendy also gets involved with cookery demonstrations for appliance and houseware companies. Prior to working on a freelance basis She was Head office Home Economist for Iceland Frozen Foods and before that for Kraft Foods. Wendy has recently been on the judging panel for The Grocer Own label Food and Drink Awards.