Easy appetisers, better holidays

Make holiday entertaining easier by serving fuss-free, no-cook snacks.

Love to entertain but maybe not so much to cook? Like to have a houseful of guests but not a sink full of pots and pans? Small, easy to prepare appetisers make parties a snap. Called 'small plates' on restaurant menus, flavourful Mediterranean-inspired appetisers are simple and tasty combinations of bold flavours.
Here are some savoury tips to make beautiful, no-fuss holiday party fare.

STOCK THE PANTRY

Prep pantry shelves by stocking up on assorted jarred items like roasted red peppers, capers, pickles, pickled vegetables, sliced and whole pitted olives as well as tasty premade pesto or tomato based dips.

MAKE OLIVES A CENTREPIECE

Olives have the power to double as an essential part of the healthful Mediterranean diet, and be a party centrepiece. With pitted, seasoned, stuffed and jarred varieties, you have the makings of a festive, ready-to-serve party plate.

For a fast option, serve an assortment in a colourful bowl or small Mason jar. For guests' ease, serve pitted olives, so they won't have to worry about disposing the pits.

SAY CHEESE
Pick up a selection of cheeses, choosing hard classic cheddars, feta, fresh mozzarella, soft aged cheeses such brie, as well as cream cheese.

SUPPORT YOUR BAKER

Take the time to seek out a great local artisan baker for a wonderful crusty Italian ciabatta loaf, a seeded baguette, a wholegrain dark rye or a tangy sourdough.

Use slices as a base to emulate trendy restaurants and cafes that serve "toasts" topped with flavourful combinations. In a pinch? Crackers work great too.

GO NUTS

Combinations of crunchy pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts and cashews are delicious with everything. For a shortcut, get packaged caramelised or spiced blends.

VEG OUT

A trip to the produce aisle provides colourful inspiration and loads of tasty choices for an elegant veggie platter. Add fruit too. Sweet grapes and apples are a perfect complement to salty items.

Combine with dips, spreads, cheeses and olives. Dark, flavourful Kalamata olives are delicious combined this way and make a great base for a tapenade.

JUST STICKS, NO STONES

Use bamboo skewers for excellent presentation and to make snacking easy on guests. Layer on whole, pitted olives, stuffed olives, slices of mozzarella or halloumi, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, colourful capsicum strips, wedges of courgette and eggplant and chunks of your favourite salami.

Drizzle a bit of balsamic vinegar onto your skewers before serving. If you prep them ahead of time, wrap them tightly and refrigerate.

GREAT DRINKS

On bartending duty? Garnish spicy or unusual gin or vodka martinis with jalapeno stuffed or blue cheese stuffed olives for a rich, surprising twist. Instead of a plain cocktail pick, use a sprig of fresh rosemary to skewer those olives.State Media

-For more entertaining ideas, visit www.olives.com