These savoury stand-outs are perfect as snacks at a party or picnic, writes Angela Casley.
PHOTOS: BABICHE MARTENS
Sardine and tomato bruschetta
The key to making stand-out bruschetta and a simple salad, like this one, is the quality of ingredients, especially a good olive oil for drizzling over the top. Don't forget that sardines can be salty, so taste the mixture before you grind the extra salt and pepper to finish.
Serves 4
8 slices ciabatta
2 garlic cloves, halved
oil, to drizzle
Salad
100g feta
500g mixed tomatoes, chopped
1 tin sardines, drained
œ red onion, sliced
2 cups lettuce leaves
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Method
1. Heat a barbecue to a medium heat. Rub the bread with the garlic cloves and drizzle with a generous amount of oil. Toast over the barbecue, turning once. Place on a serving platter.
2. Spread each piece of toast with a layer of feta. Place the chopped tomatoes in a large bowl. Roughly break up the sardines and add. Sprinkle over the onion and add the leaves. Gently combine and pile mix on top of the toast. Drizzle with vinegar and oil.
3. Season to taste.
PHOTOS: BABICHE MARTENS
Tomato and cos sandwiches with green tahini dressing
Add salmon or ham, or a little tuna into the egg — there are plenty of options to play around with. It is preferable to use Italian parsley as it is softer and blends nicely.
Makes 4
Green tahini
1 clove garlic
1 cup Italian parsley, roughly chopped
¼ cup lemon juice
1-2 Tbsp water
¼ cup tahini
1 tsp honey
Sandwiches
4 baby cos lettuce, halved lengthwise
4 boiled eggs, mashed with a little green tahini
2 tomatoes, sliced
8 slices brie
string, to tie
Method
1. Firstly, make the green tahini. Place the garlic, parsley, lemon juice and water into a blender, then blitz until smooth. Add the tahini and honey, and mix again. If need be, add a little more water to reach the consistency of mayonnaise that you can dollop.
2. To assemble the sandwiches, spread one side of cos with green tahini, add egg, tomato and brie, then top with the remaining half of cos and tie with string. — viva.co.nz
