With the party season nearly here, over the coming weeks I’m going to share some of my favourite ‘go to’ easy party food recipes.  Some of the recipes will be for kids while others will be more for adults but even the kids recipes will work just as well for adults and the other way around.  Also all these recipes are great for any kind of party – festive parties, birthday parties, informal get togethers – anything at all.

To start my party food series, there is nothing yummier than mini fish and chips.  This is something I’ve often served at Anya’s parties and every kids adores it.  I always make extra as the adults can’t seem to resist picking either.  I’m not a big fan of battered fish, preferring breadcrumbed fish, so that’s what I go for.  Also, the advantage of breaded fish is that it can be fried in advance and gently heated in the oven just before serving so you’re not left slaving over a hot stove after your guests have arrived.

Party food needs to look as good as it tastes.  Of course it’s fun to make cute food sometimes – like animal shapes – but there are lots of ways to make your food look really fun and I hope to share a few of those ideas too along with my party food recipes.  The most important thing of all is that the food is fresh and wholesome and is something that people will genuinely enjoy eating, not just looking at.

MINI FISH & CHIPS
Serves: 10 kids (as part of a bigger menu)

400 gms firm white fish fillets (haddock or lemon sole are my preferred ones)
breadcrumbs
3 eggs
2 tbs plain flour
salt & pepper
oil for shallow frying
chips (oven chips or your own home made ones)

Cut your fish in to thin, long strips, like goujons but thinner – around 10cm/4in long pieces and 2cm/1in wide.  This kind of size makes them really easy to pick up and eat with fingers.  A great tip for cutting fish so that it doesn’t break is don’t cut it horizontally, but cut it lengthwise.  Put your flour on a plate, beat the eggs and place in a very shallow bowl and place the breadcrumbs in another shallow bowl.  Season the breadcrumbs with salt and pepper to your taste and then start breading – coat fish strips with flour, then dip in egg making sure they’re completely coated,  next dip in breadcrumbs, again making sure the fish is well covered.  Repeat till you’ve coated all the fish strips.

Pour oil in to a large frying pan (the oil should come up to about 1.5cms) and heat.  When it’s quite hot place your breaded fish strips in the oil and shallow fry till golden brown.  Drain on some kitchen towel and your mini breaded fish is ready.  As mentioned, these can be made a few hours in advance and heated in the oven just before serving.  Make some fries or chips to serve with the fish.

I serve the fish & chips with ketchup and mayo for the kids and tartar sauce and lemon for the adults.  One of the ways I love serving this fish and chips is as pictured here – individual portions in mini paper party bags.   This is an easy party food recipe for kids and adults that goes down a treat for any kind of gathering. 

Feel like checking out another party food idea?  Here is my yummy honey, soy & ginger chicken recipe.

*I’ve linked up to Honest mum’s tasty Tuesdays.