We’re well into the swing of spring now, and with the warmer weather comes the Spring Racing Carnival. Aussies love any excuse for a party, so along with the fashion and fillies, there’s bound to be plenty of delicious, gourmet food.
Whether you’re taking a picnic to the races or hosting a race day lunch in your home, there are plenty of mouth-watering ways to feed your guests this season.
Here are some of our easy and delicious favourites that you can try in your own kitchen.
Arancini Balls (or Risotto Balls) – these appeal to both meat eaters and vegetarians alike, and you can choose any flavour you like. Make a big batch of risotto (mushroom, pumpkin, spinach – whatever you fancy) and allow it to cool. Roll it into balls, crumb the balls and deep-fry them. Serve with a tomato relish or chutney.
Thai Chicken Balls – simply combine chicken mince and Thai curry paste, roll the mixture into balls and deep-fry them. Serve with sweet chilli sauce.
Mini Quiches – follow your normal quiche recipe, and make half ham and cheese and half spinach and fetta. Make the quiches in a mini muffin tray rather than a large quiche dish.
Chicken Kebabs – dice some chicken breast and thread the pieces onto a skewer. Marinate them in a sauce of your choice (satay, teriyaki and chilli are popular options) and grill them until they’re cooked.
Savoury Choux Buns – choux buns are a pastry rather than a bread, so are usually served with a sweet filling. They are just as delicious when you make them with a savoury filling, such as roast beef and horseradish aioli, or caramelised onion and feta for vegetarians. You can make your own choux buns or buy them pre-made.
For most race day get-togethers, finger food is a wonderful option, and is preferable to a sit down meal so your guests can mingle, and of course cheer on their favourite horse!