Clodagh McKenna's Christmas party nibbles
Cheese straws, air fryer cheesy stuffed mushrooms and parma-wrapped figs with blue cheese, thyme and honey - Clodagh's got some sensational party bites to see you through December.
Cacio & Pepe Cheese Straws
Makes 12
Ingredients
1 sheet of all butter puff pastry50g Parmesan, finely grated50g Pecorino, finely gratedFreshly ground black pepperEgg wash (1 egg and a splash of milk whisked together)
Method
1. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C/ gas 4.
2. Roll out a sheet of puff pastry on a lightly floured surface.
3. In a small bowl mix together the cheeses, and add lots of freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle ¾ of the cheese over the sheet of pastry.
4. Using a sharp knife cut 12 even vertical strips. Holding each end, twist each strip of dough about 3-4 times, then pinch the ends to help it keep its shape. Place the twists on a baking tray, evenly spaced apart.
5. Brush the straws with the egg wash, and sprinkle the remaining grated cheese on top, and also a sprinkle of sea salt.
6. Place the tray of cheese straws in a fridge for about 10 minutes before baking in the oven. The chilling will give a lovely crispness once baked.
7. Place in the pre-heated oven and bake for 12 minutes.
Parma Wrapped Figs with Whipped, Orange Ricotta and Pistachio
Makes 12
Ingredients
12 slices of Parma ham
3 fresh ripe figs
100g fresh ricotta
Zest of one orange
1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves, finely chopped
2 tsp pistachio, finely chopped
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
For garnish
Finely chopped pistachio and orange zest
Method
1. Start by making the whipped orange ricotta, thyme and pistachio. Place the fresh ricotta, orange zest, chopped fresh thyme and pistachio in a mixing bowl. Season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, and whisk together.
2. Cut the fresh figs into quarters, if they aren’t ripe enough roast them in the oven for 5 minutes to soften them.
3. To assemble the canapes, place the Parma ham slices flat on a board. Put the quartered fresh fig on the slice of Parma ham on the side closest to you, add a teaspoon of the orange ricotta on top of the fig. Lift the Parma ham edge nearest to you and roll it up into a canapé.
4. Place all the canapes on a platter and sprinkle finely chopped pistachio and orange zest on top.
Air Fryer Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms
Makes 12
Ingredients
12 chestnut mushrooms 100g cream cheese2 tbsp panko breadcrumbs1 clove garlic, crushed1 tbsp chopped parsley1 tbsp chopped thyme90g mature Cheddar cheeseSea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Method
1. Wipe the mushrooms clean with a kitchen towel to remove any dirt. Remove the stem and clean the inside of the mushroom with a small spoon to make room for the cheese stuffing.
2. In a small bowl, mix together cream cheese, bread crumbs, parsley, thyme, garlic, season with sea salt and black pepper.
3. Use one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture to stuff the mushrooms. Top the stuffed mushrooms with the grated Cheddar cheese.
4. Preheat the air fryer to 200oC. Place mushrooms in the air fryer basket in a single layer and air fry for 10 minutes until mushrooms are soft and cheese is melted and gooey.
5. Transfer the air-fried stuffed mushrooms to a serving plate.