Kordalis - Sharing Food with Friends: Casual dining ideas and inspiring recipes for platters, boards and small bites

All spoon measurements are level unless otherwise specified. All eggs are medium (UK) or large (US), unless specified as large, in which case US extra-large should be used. Uncooked or partially cooked eggs should not be served to the very old, frail, young children, pregnant women or those with compromised immune systems. Whenever butter is used in these recipes, unsalted butter should be used. When a recipe calls for the grated zest of citrus fruit, buy unwaxed fruit and wash well before using. If you can only find treated fruit, scrub well in warm soapy water before using.

When a recipe calls for full-fat cream cheese, it should be white, creamy smooth and have at least 24 per cent fat content, such as Kraft Philadelphia. To sterilize preserving jars, wash them in hot, soapy water and rinse in boiling water. Place in a large saucepan and cover with hot water. With the saucepan lid on, bring the water to a boil and continue boiling for 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the jars in the hot water until just before they are filled. Invert the jars onto a clean kitchen cloth to dry.

Sterilize lids for 5 minutes by boiling or according to manufacturers instructions. Jars should be filled and sealed while they are still hot. Cheeses started with animal rennet are not suitable for strict vegetarians so read food labelling carefully and, if necessary, check that the cheese you buy is made with a non-animal (microbial) starter. Traditional Parmesan is not vegetarian so we recommend a vegetarian hard cheese (such as Gran Moravia which has the same texture so is ideal for grating) or Parma (a vegan product). There is an increasing number of manufacturers now producing vegetarian versions of traditionally non-vegetarian cheeses, such as Gruyere or Gorgonzola. Check online for suppliers and stockists.

There are certain health risks associated with whipped cream so always practice food safety by using fresh cream before its expiry date and covering and storing prepared desserts in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Contents Party planning basics As far back as I can remember, growing up in Australia my family, however busy they were, always made time to get together. Sometimes, it was casual and sometimes it was more formal. As a Greek Australian, the cultures of Greek feasting and Australian laidback lifestyle have really influenced the way I live, eat and celebrate. Lets face it, Greeks like a party. Marrying into a British family and living in London for the past 13 years have further inspired the ingredients I cook with.

London is a place where over 200 cultures meet and live together and they bring with them a cornucopia of recipes, ingredients and customs. This book is a collection of menus and recipes that, to me, really celebrate fuss-free entertaining. The main purpose of getting together is to spend time together its pointless if your guests do not see you. So with a few tips and a general running order, you will be able to entertain effortlessly at home. Some of the menus do require extra preparation and planning but the outcome will be worth it. There are tips on what to buy in and what to make from scratch, how to make the table pretty and how to maximize flavour.

Getting started Whether planing a party for a large crowd or having a few friends around, there are a few handy tips you can follow. Most recipes have been written for 46 people, but can easily be upped for a larger crowd. Know your crowd. Who are you inviting and what style of food do they like, are there any dietary requirements or vegetarians? Any menu should include a lot of vegetable options, then you have your bases covered. Date. Get the date in the diary. This is not always easy! Living in London where everyone has such busy lives, I find that this is the hardest part of planning a gathering. Plan the menu and what you will be drinking. This is my favourite part.

Either follow each table menu fully, mix and match from all the tables or add your own touch. All is perfectly acceptable. It is about sharing time and food with your loved ones and bringing people together. Make a shopping list, which should include simple decorations and/or flowers, all the platters and serving pieces and need not break the bank. Plan a cooking schedule. Work out what can be made ahead and frozen, cooked the day before or on the day, and what you can buy already prepared. Get help with cleaning after the party, delegate to loved ones; another sharing moment! Feeding a large crowd No need to get in a flap as you have planned and prepared for this. Get help with cleaning after the party, delegate to loved ones; another sharing moment! Feeding a large crowd No need to get in a flap as you have planned and prepared for this.

All the tables in this book have dishes that can be prepared in advance, can sit at room temperature and only a few of the recipe options are served warm. They are all about relaxed entertaining. Keep it classic with a few twists. Choose a selection of dishes that can be made in advance, with easy fresh additions on the day. YOUR FREEZER & PANTRY This list is a good basic list of what you can store in your freezer, fridge and pantry/larder. FREEZER