Christmas Snacks

Friends dropping by? Here are some easy-peasy Christmas treats you can whip up in half an hour.

The holiday season is too short for stressing in the kitchen. At the same time, you want to come up with something that'll impress your friends and do justice to that lovely, chilled bottle of bubbly. Stefan Marais, head chef at Societi Bistro (recently nominated one of the top ten restaurants in Cape Town), has come up with some simple, delicious and sexy snacks, which are perfect for summer evenings. And you won't break a nail preparing them...

Maple Roasted, Bacon-Wrapped Cherries	Ingredients: (Makes approximately 20) 1 x small jar Maraschino cherries - stems removed (approximately 20 cherries) 100g streaky bacon - cut in half 2 x tablespoons real Canadian maple syrup Approximately 20 toothpicks Method: Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Wrap each cherry in the half slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the cherries in a tray and roast in the oven for 10 minutes. Once the bacon starts to crisp, remove from the oven and drizzle with the maple syrup. Return to the oven for another five minutes, tossing through syrup repeatedly. These can be prepared in advance and served hot or cold.
Watermelon and Feta Skewers With Sweet & Sour Mint Dressing
Easy Prawn 'Cocktail'
Christmas Pudding Ice Cream

Author: Susan Hayden