PARTY SEASON.

As the summer approaches the summer fruits entice.  Already you might find yourself at a gathering or going on a picnic. Of course there is nothing as refreshing as fresh fruit cut into bit size chunks piled high on a platter as easy finger food. Fresh fruit is also a great way to lift a summer drink.  I have included here some ideas for the party season with an Apple Cider Punch , Champagne Cooler for you to share and some easy finger food which is also ideal for that picnic hamper you might need to put together.

SMOKED SALMON ROLLS

2 foot long whole meal rolls
400gm smoked salmon.
Two boiled eggs yolk removed. Chopped
Diced olives of your choice chopped
Lettuce sliced
Avocado
Lemon juice.

•  Slice bread lengthways
• Mash avocado with a squeeze of lemon
• Spread one side of the bread roll with the avocado spread
• Combine the diced egg white and olive and lay one side  of the roll
• Place smoked salmon over the egg
• Place chopped lettuce over the salmon
• Fold the roll together and press firmly
• Cut the roll into 3 to 4cm slices.

Holding the roll together cover in cling wrap and secure tightly
Refrigerate for at least an hour
Serve on platter or if taking on a pinic wrap the rolls in clean tea towel and place in picnic basket.

PRAWN & HERB FRITTERS

Prawn flesh 350g (or 650 whole prawns to be shelled)

Spring onions ½ cup finely chopped
Garlic 2 tsp crushed
Mint leaves ½ cup coarsely chopped
Coriander leaves ½ cup coarsely chopped
Flour ½ cup
Egg whites 3
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Lime rind and juice 1
Olive oil for frying
Lime wedges for serving

Optional dipping sauce: equal parts lime juice, soy and chilli sauce.

• Roughly chop the prawn flesh and combine with spring onions, chilli, garlic, mint coriander , egg whites, flour, lime juice , rind and pepper and salt.
•  Heat oil in pan
• Place mixture in neat piles and cook over moderate heat until golden brown both sides
• Serve with lime wedges and dipping sauce as desired.

CHAMPAGNE COOLER

FOR EACH SERVE

Strawberry 1 sliced
Lime ½ slice
Spearmint one sprig slightly crushed to release aroma
Ice
Tropical fruit juice or peach juice

• Place the above ingredients in you glass and top with champagne

FRUITY APPLE CIDER PUNCH

NON ALCOHOLIC. Serves 6.

3 cups of apple cider
3 cups of lemonade
1 1/2  cups of apple juice
I thinly sliced green apple
250 gms halved strawberries
Ice cubes

Combine in a jug and stir to combine

If you need more combine the same proportions of cider lemonade and apple juice and add more fruit as desired.