Guy Fawkes is just around the corner  Which means it’s time to get into the kitchen and create some tasty and warming nibbles for your guests to dive in to after ‘ooooing and ahhing’ at some fireworks.  Nibbles are I find the best way to satisfy a large group of people in the quickest space of time (although it does take some preparation) and it’s worth it in the end.  Burgers and sausages and the like are the standard fare for Guy Fawkes but sometimes It doesn’t hurt to adapt things. So here are a few ideas for you to try for Guy Fawkes Night.

 

Firecracker Chilli

 

It’s got a little bit of a kick but on a chilly November night who doesn’t want a little spice, this chilli is best served with some French stick that has just been warmed though in the oven.

 

Ingredients

• 500g beef mince
• 1 tin chopped tomatoes
• 1 tin baked beans
• 1 (generous) glass red wine
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 2 crushed garlic cloves
• 1 onion chopped finely
• 1 beef stock cube (Oxo or similar)
• Finely chopped birds eye chillies (or red chilli for something slightly milder)
• 1 tbsp tomato ketchup
• 1 tsp balsamic vinegar

 

Method

As with all chilli it’s just a case of stick it all in the pot and let it bubble away.  Before that though fry off your beef until its browned and then dispose of the excess fat from the cooking process then add the garlic and onion.  Fry off for a further 3 minutes then add the stock cube, give it a stir then add the res t of the ingredients and make sure they’re all mixed well. Leave to cook for about 1-2 hours, basically, the longer the better.  To get ahead you can freeze the once all of the ingredients have been combined and on Guy Fawkes you can just stick it in a slow cooker, leave it all day and it’ll be perfect by the evening.

 

Fish Burgers

 

Ingredients

• 500g Fresh Fish Pie Mix
• 2 Slices of bread (made into breadcrumbs)
• 1 tbsp dried basil
• ½ Onion
• Salt and Pepper
• Bread rolls
• Salad and Tartar Sauce

 

Makes around 6 burgers. In a food processor, blitz the onion and then add the fish pie mix and the breadcrumbs and mix until they form a ball in the processor.  Take your mixture out of the food processor, move to a bowl and season with the salt, pepper and basil. Mix in the seasoning with your hands.  Then form into 2cm burgers and stick them under the grill for around 3 minutes either side until they are a light golden colour.  While the burgers are cooking, slice your rolls, put the tartar sauce into a bowl and dress your salad. As i said it couldn’t be simpler, hope you enjoy them.

Cheese Melt Beef Burgers

 

If you guests prefer the traditional burger after fireworks, these will do the job nicely.  Generally anything goes with a burger, you can out what you like into them. These have been tested on a variety of people and have always met with “mmm’s” of approval.

 

Ingredients

• 500g Beef Mince
• 2 slices of bread made into breadcrumbs
• 1 onion finely chopped
• Cheese of your choice (Cheddar, Stilton etc)
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• Salt and pepper

 

Method

• Put all of the ingredients into a bowl, then get your hands in there and make sure that all of the ingredients are well combined.
• Once thats done, rest the burger mix in the fridge for a little while.
• Whilst the meat is resting cut your cheese into chunks about 2cm x 2cm, then form the patties around the cheese and grill/pan fry or BBQ. Once they’re done stick them in some soft rolls and chow down!