Nibbles are being a regular feature on this blog. 

The lead up to Christmas Day is my favourite, when it's totally acceptable to share a snack of nibbles and drinks on a school night. 

These mini Calzone are simple enough that children can make their own batch and you could add some spice to yours.

Ingredients:

• I tin ready to roll pizza dough (Available in the chilled section in most supermarkets.)
• pizza sauce (You can buy this ready made in a jar or mix your own with tomato paste, passata, basil and oregano.)
• grated mozzarella
• filling optional - I used chopped sliced chorizo and prosciutto, but you could add a fresh cranberry for an even more festive taste.

Pre heat your oven to 180 degrees/Gas Mark 4.

Open your pizza dough tin according to the instructions.

Roll out and using a cookie cutter (approximately 3 inch diameter) cut out your circles ready to fill and fold.

Drip one dollop of pizza sauce into the middle, add a pinch of the filling of your choice and another pinch of cheese.

Don't be tempted to add more than a pinch or you won't be able to fold it!

Fold one half of your dough circle over and use your thumb to press gently on the cut edge.

Bake your calzone for approximately 10 minutes. Check occasionally so you don't burn them.

The boys loved making them and as they take such a short time to cook, they hadn't lost interested by the time they were cooked!

What are your favourite nibbles? I have a serious weakness for dips. When the boys were born my Mum bought fresh cheese straws which we dipped in sour cream! Totally sinful but absolutely delicious and we haven't had it since. It's sort of become a tradition now to buy when a baby is born!

Shellfish. Not something I can claim to know a lot about. I am a prawn cocktail girl. Classy I know!

But my love of photographing beautiful food has challenged my palette and every week, it feels as though I am trying or cooking something new.

I spied these little neck clams and couldn't resist a couple of handfuls for a quick and easy lunch or light dinner. (My Mum always laughs that Rich and I like a hot lunch! But when you work from home why not?!)

Ingredients - makes one portion:

• drizzle olive oil
• 1 handful little neck clams (Make sure they are tightly closed. If you see any slightly open tap them)
• 1 small handful samphire (find it at the fish counter in Waitrose) or use mangetout/green beans as a substitute
• 1 large handful fresh noodles (I used the more yellow variety of noodles)
• pinch of pepper and chilli flakes if you like it hot!

Place a wok or medium sized frying pan on a medium heat. 

Add a drizzle of olive oil and your clams.

Cook for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally.

Add your samphire and noodles and cook for a further 5 minutes.

Watch the magic happen. I loved seeing the calms pop open as they cooked. Give the stragglers an extra couple of minutes but if they still haven't opened, bin them. They are not good to eat!

Use tongs to plate up your meal and sprinkle with pepper and chilli. Or leave the chilli if you prefer your food milder.

Dive in.

I often feel stuck in a rut with meal times. Mince based dishes seem to feature most often in this house, so it was lovely to have something so different and colourful on our plates. 

Have you tried anything new lately? 

ps. the calms taste very meaty, the samphire very earthy.

pps. this is my new favourite Anthropologie plate. Oh to have a full set...!

I love the lead up to Christmas Party season. The perfect excuse to make cocktails and eat nibbles. 

But what could be better than a cake inspired cocktail? Well I can assure you that there is nothing on this earth more delicious and sinful than this Tiramisu Caketail! 

If you missed the lemon cheesecake caketail you can check it out here. 

I love the smell of coffee beans and the taste of coffee flavoured desserts but don't actually drink the stuff! So this seemed like a super idea.

I'd recommend the Tiramisu Caketail as an after dinner drink (think a Bailey's alternative). It's easy to mix, and looks great served with a lady finger! 

Here's what you need... 

Ingredients: 

• Ice
• Coffee extract or a splash of espresso. I used coffee flavouring that you can buy in the cake decorating section in the supermarket.
• Amaretto  
• Milk chocolate liqueur
• White chocolate liqueur
• Sprinkle of cocoa powder
• Lady finger to serve

Add a splash of each liqueur starting at the top of the list. The layers will slowly merge together and create a marbled effect like the layers in a Tiramisu. 

You could add some cream to dilute the alcohol but I prefer my Tiramisu on the rocks.

Enjoy and sip it, slowly! 

So what should I make next in this little Caketail series? I had a request through Twitter for a Black Forest Gateau but what's your favourite cake?!

ps. don't you think my Granny's faux fur made an awesome backdrop?!