A large platter of deli-bought nibbles makes for an easy way to start entertaining your friends. Some items can go straight to the plate such as Spanish salami, pesto-filled whole baby chillies, marinated baby red onions, sundried tomatoes in oil, crumbled feta cheese and marinated artichoke. Others such as olives, walnuts and cheese straws can be quickly transformed into delectable party fare.

Ingredients

Method

Prosciutto Cheese Straws

1. Cut finely sliced rashers of prosciutto in half and wrap around warmed cheese straws.

Roasted Olives and Garlic

1. Take equal quantities of large juicy green and black olives with stones and half the quantity of whole garlic bulbs preserved in olive oil. Toss all the ingredients in olive oil and place on a small roasting tray. Fan bake at 190ºC for about 15 minutes or until the olives are hot and the skins are beginning to blister. Serve warm.

Roasted Salted Walnuts

1. Take 1-2 cups of fresh walnut halves and toss with ¼ cup olive oil or mandarin-flavoured olive oil. Place on a paper-lined roasting tray and fan bake at 180ºC for about 10 minutes until the nuts are golden when broken in half. Remove from the oven and season with plenty of flaky salt.

Cheese Kranskies

1. Kranskies (sausages) make great party nibbles. Heat some in a hot frying pan and then cut in half on the diagonal. Pile onto the antipasto platter.