Drinks Party

Time For Tapas:
Get ready for an evening of easy entertaining with these delectable Spanish Snacks.

1. Spicy Roasted Cauliflower: In a large bowl combine 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper. Add 6 cups cauliflower florets, toss. Roast in a 400 degree F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring once, until browned.

2. Smashing Bean Dip:
In a skillet cook 1 to 2 tsp allspice powder in 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil until fragrant. In a food processor blend mixture wth 450 g butter beans; 1/2 cup walnuts; 1/2 cup olive oil; 3 tbsp lemon juice; and 3 cloves garlic; minced, until almost smooth. Serve a dollop of dip on a slice of yellow summer squash and sprinkle with some additional allspice powder and salt for taste.

3. Shrimp With Spicy Saffron Sauce:
In a small bowl combine 1/8 tsp saffron threads or ground turmeric with 2 tbsp mayonnaise. In a skillet cook 8 large peeled, semi-cooked shrimp and 1 clove garlic, minced, in hot oil until cooked through and shrimp are opaque. Serve with saffron sauce and small focaccia wedges.

4. Marinated Olives with Feta, herbs and Olive Oil:
Cut 2 slabs of feta into bite size cubes. Mix together 1/2 cup pitted black / green olives with 1 diced red onion and 2 cloves of garlic chopped. Add 4 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp thyme, 1 tsp oregano salt and pepper to taste and a dash of lemon juice. Leave to marinate in the refrigerator for upto 5 hours.

5. Rare Tuna Rolls with Wasabi Aioli: Cut 2 lb tuna steaks, 3/4 to 1 inch thick, into 8 serving pieces. In shallow glass, mix 1/2 cup vegetable oil, 1/3 cup soy sauce, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 2 tsp sesame oil, 2 tsp grated gingerroot and 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped. Add the tuna pieces and coat well with marinade. Cover dish and refrigerate, turning once, at least 2 hours but no longer than 4 hours. To make aioli, in small bowl, mix 1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing and 1 tsp wasabi powder or prepared horseradish. Cover and refrigerate until serving. At serving time, set oven control to broil. Remove tuna from marinade and reserve marinade. Place tuna on rack in broiler pan. Broil 4 to 6 inches from heat 10 to 15 minutes, brushing 2 to 3 times with marinade and turning once, until tuna flakes easily with fork. Discard any remaining marinade. Serve with aioli.

Cocktail Snacks To Accompany

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