You are currently viewing 4 snacks perfect for your spring soiree

4 snacks perfect for your spring soiree

From creamy goat-cheese balls to juicy meatball sliders with mayo and peppadew, snack on these scrumptious snacks at your next party  

Mini goat-cheese balls 

Serves 12–15 // Cooking time 15 minutes + 1 hour cooling

  

Ingredients 

For the cheese balls 

250g cream cheese, at room temperature
200g goat’s cheese, at room temperature  

For the lemon and poppyseed 

1 Tbsp lemon zest
½ cup poppyseeds  

For the tomato and chilli 

¼ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
¼ cup chilli flakes 

For the pesto and chives 

1 Tbsp pesto
½ cup chopped chives  

Method 

  1. Mix the cream cheese and goat’s cheese.
  2. Add lemon zest OR sun-dried tomatoes OR pesto. Freeze for 30 minutes.
  3. Scoop out 2 Tbsp cheese at a time and roll into balls.
  4. Roll the balls in the poppyseeds OR chilli flakes OR chives, ensuring they are evenly coated. Place in the fridge for 30 minutes.
  5. Serve with crackers.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Kendall-Leigh Nash//HMimages.co.za 

 

Kofta with roti and pomegranate-mint gremolata 

Serves 4–6 // Cooking time 30 minutes

Ingredients 

For the kofta 

500g ground beef
¼ onion, grated
2 Tbsp parsley, minced
2 Tbsp mint, minced
1 garlic clove, grated
1 egg
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp Greek origanum
Pinch cayenne pepper or paprika
½ cup breadcrumbs (plus more as needed)
2 Tbsp canola oil 

For the pomegranate-mint gremolata 

½ cup pomegranate rubies + to garnish
Handful mint, plus extra to garnish
2 Tbsp olive oil
4 rotis, lightly toasted and cut into squares
Plain yoghurt, to garnish 

Method 

For the kofta 

  1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Add more breadcrumbs until the mixture comes together, is no longer sticky and can be formed into balls. Shape into meatballs until you have used up all the mixture.
  2. Heat oil in a pan and fry the kofta for 2–3 minutes until cooked and browned.

For the pomegranate-mint gremolata 

  1. Pulse the pomegranate, mint and olive oil in a food processor till roughly combined.

To serve 

  1. Spread gremolata on a platter. Top each kofta with a roti square and dollop of yoghurt.
  2. Secure with a wooden skewer. Garnish with extra mint and pomegranate rubies.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za 

 

Meatball sliders with mayo and peppadew  

Makes 12 // Cooking time 40 minutes

Ingredients 

1 kg ready-made bread dough
2 eggs, 1 whisked
Olive oil, to fry
1 onion, peeled and diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
1 Tbsp chopped parsley
1 tsp dried origanum
1 tsp brown sugar
Salt and black pepper
500g mince
⅓ cup flour
2 Tbsp flaxseed
4 Peppadews and more to garnish
¼ cup mayonnaise
Salad greens, to serve 

Method 

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
  2. Roll the dough into 12 balls. Arrange on the baking tray and leave to proof for 20 minutes.
  3. Brush each bun with whisked egg. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden. Cool completely.
  4. Heat a little oil and fry the onion until soft. Add the garlic, herbs and sugar. Season. Gently heat the mixture through.
  5. In a bowl, combine the onion mixture with the mince, flour flaxseed and remaining egg. Chill in the fridge for 5 minutes.
  6. Roll the mixture into 12 balls. Heat some oil and fry meatballs for about 3 minutes a side, until golden brown.
  7. Mix the chopped peppadews with the mayonnaise.
  8. To assemble the meatball sliders, place a meatball in each bun. Add peppadew mayo and salad greens. Use a skewer to hold it together. Garnish with extra peppadews.

Recipe & styling: Amerae Vercueil
Photography: Andreas Eiselen // HMimages.co.za  

 

Crispy Dorito mac-and-cheese bites 

Serves 10–15 // Total time 1 hour 15 minutes

 

Ingredients  

1 kg store-bought mac and cheese 
1 cup flour 
2 eggs, whisked 
150g packet Doritos corn chips, crushed
Vegetable oil, for deep-frying 
Salt 
½ jar (200g) Napoletana sauce, warmed for serving   

Method   

1. Line a 20×15 cm baking tray with baking paper.
2. Spread mac-and-cheese mixture in an even layer and chill in the freezer for 45 minutes.
3. Cut the firm mac-and-cheese slab into 3 equal strips lengthwise, then cut into equilateral triangles.
4. Dust each triangle in flour, dip in egg and thoroughly coat in crushed Doritos.
5. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
6. Deep-fry on medium heat until golden and crisp, about 5 minutes a side.
7. Season lightly and serve with sauce for dipping. 

Words and photography: Fresh Living Magazine 

Also read: 3 Ricotta Recipes For Your Next Dinner Party