This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia, which closed in 2021.

Impress Your Guests With These Easy, Hella Fancy Canapes

See ya later, tacky spring rolls and cocktail sausages.
HuffPost Australia

Let's be real, the best part of weddings, functions and events are those fancy, delicious little canapes you get served and eat unashamedly the whole night long. They're just so good.

You probably think they're impossible to recreate for your own party, right?

We thought that, too, until we went on a mission to make the best, easiest and most delicious canapes ever.

Think mini kale and feta filo fingers, arancini balls and fancy chicken sandwiches, but the cheat's version. That's right, no par-boiling, no piping, no measuring. Just simple ingredients with amazing outcomes.

1. Kale and feta filo fingers

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 teaspoon olive oil
  • ½ bunch green kale
  • 20g butter
  • 1 leek, pale section only, thinly sliced
  • ½ teaspoon dried chilli flakes
  • 180g Australian feta, crumbled
  • 1 egg, lightly whisked
  • 12 sheets filo pastry
  • 50g butter, melted
  • Caraway seeds, to garnish

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 180°C. Wash kale and chop finely.

2. Heat a saucepan on low-medium heat and add olive oil. Add kale and softly sauté for 4-5 minutes, or until kale has partly wilted but still vibrant and green. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

3. Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add leek and sauté until it softens. Add chilli flakes and cook for one minute. Remove from heat and add crumbled feta and raw egg. Mix well.

4. Brush a single filo sheet with a little butter. Spoon one tablespoon of the spinach mixture on one end of the filo pastry, leaving room on each side. Fold in sides and roll up to enclose filling (like a spring roll). Finish with a brush of butter on top and sprinkle with caraway seeds. Repeat with remaining spinach mixture.

5. Place each filo finger on a baking tray. Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm or at room temperature.

These delicious filo pastries take just 30 minutes to cook.
HuffPost Australia
These delicious filo pastries take just 30 minutes to cook.

2. Arancini balls

INGREDIENTS

  • 2 pouches (2 X 500g) of pre-made risotto, flavour of your choice
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups breadcrumbs
  • 1 cup plain flour
  • 100g mozzarella, broken into 2cm pieces
  • Vegetable oil, to deep fry
  • Tomato relish or chutney, to serve

METHOD

1. Gently heat pre-made risotto per the packet's instructions and reduce on low for 20 minutes, until risotto is a thick consistency. Once reduced, take off heat and let it cool.

2. Add two of the eggs and stir until well combined.

3. Place the breadcrumbs on a large plate. Place the flour on a separate plate. Using wet hands, shape three tablespoons of the risotto mixture into a ball. Place a piece of mozzerella in the centre of the ball, then mould the risotto mixture around the mozzarella to enclose.

4. Delicately roll the balls in the flour, followed by the breadcrumbs. Repeat with the remaining risotto mixture and mozzarella to make 10-14 balls. Place on a large plate and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

5. Add oil to a large saucepan to reach 5cm in depth. Heat over medium-high heat (it's hot enough when a bit of bread sizzles and turns golden). Add 3-4 risotto balls to the oil at a time and cook, turning once, for 4-5 minutes or until golden. Transfer balls to a plate lined with paper towel. Repeat with the remaining risotto balls.

6. Place the risotto balls on a serving plate and serve with tomato chutney, olives and feta.

Serve with Greek salad for an added fresh twist.
HuffPost Australia
Serve with Greek salad for an added fresh twist.

3. Fancy chicken sandwiches

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 cold barbecued chicken, white meat removed and shredded finely, no skin
  • 1 loaf white bread
  • 3-4 tablespoons whole egg mayonnaise
  • Large handful rocket, finely chopped
  • ⅓ walnuts, finely chopped
  • Salt and pepper, to taste

METHOD

1. Add chicken meat to a large mixing bowl. Add chopped rocket and walnuts, and combine well. Add mayonnaise gradually and combine well until the mixture sticks together when squeezed.

2. Cut off bread crusts and butter one side of the bread.

3. Take one heaped tablespoon and spread the mixture evenly on each slice of bread. Top with the other slice of bread and cut in half. Repeat until mixture is finished.

Simple yet so good.
HuffPost Australia
Simple yet so good.

4. Ceviche

INGREDIENTS

  • 250g fresh, raw kingfish sashimi, diced into 1cm cubes
  • ¾ avocado
  • 2 tablespoons lime juice
  • ¼ cup micro coriander, plus extra for garnish
  • 3 baby chillies, seeded if you don't like it too hot

METHOD

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve on spoons. Garnish with extra micro coriander.

Bring this dish to life with fresh chilli and lots of lime.
HuffPost Australia
Bring this dish to life with fresh chilli and lots of lime.

Click below to follow HuffPost Australia on Snapchat!

Close
This article exists as part of the online archive for HuffPost Australia. Certain site features have been disabled. If you have questions or concerns, please check our FAQ or contact support@huffpost.com.