How to pull off a cheat’s dinner party

PRE-DINNER DRINKS

Virgin pomegranate mojito
This mocktail is the just the drink to pair with the moreish canapés to follow.

View the recipe here

CANAPÉS

[caption id="attachment_13700" align="alignright" width="240"] Triple-cheese bites[/caption]

Triple-cheese bites
Buy readymade puff pastry at Woolworths to make these easy cheesy bites. They’re a cheese lover’s dream.

View the recipe here

Tuna bites with soya-and-sesame dressing
Ensure that your pan is piping hot and be careful not to overcook the fish. Making the dressing in advance will also allow the flavours to develop nicely.

View the recipe here

MAIN COURSE

Hake with herby butternut and couscous-and-feta salad
The red pepper pesto marries beautifully with the hake without overpowering it. Make the couscous salad ahead of time and dress it just before serving.

View the recipe here

DESSERT

[caption id="attachment_13451" align="alignright" width="240"] Showstopper dessert: red velvet delight[/caption]

Red velvet delight 
Wow your guests with this layered ready-made cake from Woolies. Your secret is safe with us.

View the recipe here

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THE CHEAT COOK’S COUNTDOWN

Do all your prep work to save time. This way you can spend less time slaving away in the kitchen and more time entertaining your guests.

2 DAYS TO GO
Buy all your ingredients and order the hake from your Woolworths fishmonger.

1 DAY TO GO
Store the cheese bites in a resealable airtight container. Make the marinade for the tuna and prepare the couscous and butternut, then refrigerate.

ON THE MORNING OF YOUR PARTY
Collect your fresh hake. Make the cream cheese mix to top 
the cheese bites and refrigerate. Whip the cream cheese icing for the 
red velvet cake and refrigerate. Cut the red velvet cake into layers 
and refrigerate.

AN HOUR BEFORE
Fluff the couscous and add the butternut, salad leaves and feta.

JUST BEFORE YOUR GUESTS ARRIVE
Sear the tuna, cut into cubes and skewer, drizzle with dressing and garnish. 
Top the cheese bites with the 
cream cheese mix and garnish 
with extra Peppadews. 
Make the mojitos.

ONCE YOUR GUESTS HAVE ARRIVED
Cook the hake. Dress the couscous salad.
 Slice the berries and assemble the cake.

SIBA MTONGANA’S INGREDIENT CHEAT SHEET

Here are Siba’s shopping essentials to pull off this cheat’s dinner party:

·      Woolworths frozen ready-made puff pastry

·      Woolworths roasted red pepper pesto

·      Woolworths red velvet gateau cake

·      Woolworths grated mozzarella and Cheddar cheese

·      Woolworths diced butternut

·      Woolworths pomegranate rubies

Find more cheat's recipes here.