The festive season is the perfect opportunity for catch-ups and gatherings, not just on Christmas Day, but in the lead up too. These Delicious Christmas Entertaining Recipes are great crowd pleasers for any occasion. Particularly when you’ve got a few hungry people to feed and it’s not dinner or lunch time yet.
Bacon, Mac ‘n’ Cheese Croquettes
It’s safe to say that Mac ‘n’ Cheese is always a crowd pleaser. Take your Christmas entertaining to the next level with these Bacon, Mac ‘n’ Cheese Croquettes. They are sure to satisfy the hungry hoards and put a festive smile on their faces.
Prep: 6:20 Hrs and Mins
Cook: 0:35 Mins
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 cups (270g) macaroni
- 6 bacon rashers, finely chopped
- 3 spring onions, thinly sliced
- 60g butter
- 1 teaspoon mustard powder
- 1 1/2 cups (225g) plain flour
- 3 cups (750ml) milk
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) grated cheddar
- 1/4 cup (20g) finely grated parmesan
- 100g blue cheese, crumbled
- 2 Coles Brand Australian Free Range Eggs, lightly whisked
- 2 cups (150g) panko breadcrumbs or fresh (made from day-old bread) breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup finely chopped chives
- Vegetable oil, to shallow-fry
METHOD
Step 1
Grease and line a 20cm x 30cm slab pan, allowing the sides to overhang.
Step 2
Cook the pasta following packet directions or until al dente. Drain well.
Step 3
Meanwhile, cook the bacon in a large saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring, for 5 mins or until crisp. Add the spring onion. Cook for 1 min or until spring onion softens. Transfer to a bowl.
Step 4
Melt the butter in the saucepan over medium-high heat. Add mustard powder and 1/2 cup (75g) of the flour. Cook, stirring, for 2 mins or until mixture is grainy and bubbling. Gradually add milk and cook, stirring with a balloon whisk, for 5 mins or until sauce boils and thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in cheddar and parmesan. Add the pasta, bacon mixture and blue cheese and stir to combine. Pour into prepared pan and smooth the surface. Place in the fridge for 6 hours or overnight or until firm.
Step 5
Turn the pasta bake onto a clean work surface. Cut into 4cm pieces. Place remaining 1 cup (150g) flour in a shallow bowl. Place egg in a separate bowl. Combine the breadcrumbs and chives in a separate bowl. Dip 1 piece of pasta bake in the flour to lightly coat. Dip in egg, then in breadcrumb mixture to coat. Repeat with remaining pasta bake, flour, egg and breadcrumbs.
Step 6
Add enough oil to a medium frying pan to come 2cm up the side of the pan. Heat over medium heat. Cook one-quarter of the croquettes, turning, for 5 mins or until golden brown and heated through. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat with remaining croquettes.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Loaded Sweet Potato Fries
How do you make sweet potato fries even sweeter? Load them up with all your favourite Mexican inspired toppings! These Loaded Sweet Potato Fries are sure to be a feast for your senses and your taste buds too.
Prep: 0:15 Mins
Cook: 0:30 Mins
Serves: 6
INGREDIENTS:
- 750g pkt frozen sweet potato chips
- 1 tbs taco seasoning
- 400g can black beans, rinsed, drained
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) coarsely grated tasty cheddar
- 350g mixed tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbs coriander leaves
- 1 tbs lime juice
- 1 ripe avocado, stoned, peeled, sliced
METHOD
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220°C. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Arrange the sweet potato chips in a single layer on the lined tray. Sprinkle with the taco seasoning. Bake for 15 mins. Turn the chips over. Bake for a further 10 mins or until crisp and heated through.
Step 2
Sprinkle black beans and cheddar evenly over the chips on the tray. Bake for 5 mins or until the cheddar melts.
Step 3
Meanwhile, combine the tomato, onion, coriander and lime juice in a medium bowl.
Step 4
Transfer the chip mixture to a serving bowl. Top with the tomato mixture and avocado. Season.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au
Mini Caramelised Onion Sausage Rolls
Sausage rolls are the ultimate go-to for Christmas entertaining (or any time really!). Impress your guests with these super easy, and super tasty, Mini Caramelised Onion Sausage Rolls.
Prep: 0:20 Mins
Cook: 0:30 Mins
Serves: 36
INGREDIENTS:
- 500g pork mince
- 115g (1 cup) fresh breadcrumbs
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 112g (1/3 cup) caramelised onion jam, plus 2 tablespoons extra, plus extra to glaze
- 1 small carrot, finely grated
- 1 small zucchini, finely grated, squeezed of excess moisture
- 100g pancetta or prosciutto, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon caraway seeds
- 3 sheets puff pastry sheets
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 2 teaspoons sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon salt flakes
METHOD
Step 1
Preheat oven to 220C/200C fan-forced. Line two oven trays with non-stick baking paper. Combine pork mince, breadcrumbs, egg, onion jam, carrot, zucchini, pancetta and 1/2 the carraway seeds in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper and mix well. Divide mixture into 6.
Step 2
Cut each pastry sheet in half. Place a portion of mince mixture down the centre of each pastry strip. Combine milk and 2 tablespoons onion jam. Brush pastry edges lightly with mixture. Roll up to enclose pork mixture and seal.
Step 3
Turn rolls over, seam-side down. Cut each into 6 pieces and place on prepared trays. Brush with milk mixture and scatter with sesame seeds, salt flakes and remaining carraway. Bake for 25- 30 minutes or until puffed and golden. Lightly brush warm hot sausage rolls with extra warmed onion jam.
Recipe source: www.taste.com.au