Savoury Titbits

 

Gherkins and Smoked Ham

• 10 thin slices smoked ham
• ½ teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
• 10 small gherkins

Dates and Cream Cheese

• 10 dates
• 1 hard-boiled egg, shelled
• 2 tablespoons single cream
• 1 (75 gr / 3-oz) packet full cream cheese
• ½ teaspoon finely chopped dill (optional)

Olives and Bacon

• 10 thin slices streaky bacon
• 10 stuffed olives

1. Sprinkle the ham with the pepper ; wrap each gherkin in a slice of ham and secure with a cocktail stick.
2. Slice the dates open lengthways and remove the stones ; cut the egg in half.
3. Sieve the yolk into a bowl, add the cream and cream cheese and stir until smooth ; mix in the dill, if used.
4. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a small star-shaped nozzle and pipe into the dates ; keep the stuffed dates in a cool place until you are ready to serve them.
5. Fry the bacon until cooked on both sides ; drain for a few minutes on absorbent kitchen paper.
6. Wrap a stuffed in each slice of bacon, securing with a wooden cocktail stick ; return the bacon rolls to the frying pan and fry in hot fat until crisp, turning occasionally.

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