Katy Hofstede-Smith loves Bonfire Night food – and it’s easy to see why.
I love Bonfire Night. It is a real celebration of autumn and everything that it brings; darker nights, crisp mornings with the scent of bonfire smoke, apples and of course the obligatory “oohs” and “aahs” as the sky lights up with multiple colours and loud bangs.
For me a Bonfire Night party is one of the best kinds of impromptu, friend-filled easy entertaining that I love. When it comes to food there is no expectation of fine dining or anticipated dishes, and the fact that you’re likely to be eating outside or at least wandering around gives you such free rein to serve whatever you fancy.
That said, there are a couple of things that are useful to think about when planning your menu. Your guests are likely to be outside a fair amount during the evening, embracing the colder autumn nights, so warming, filling dishes always go down well. As Bonfire Night is usually a relaxed evening, food that can be carried around easily and preferably eaten with one hand is a good idea. Dishes that guests can easily come back to for more throughout the evening work well so that there isn’t a set “dinner time” but a more relaxed feel.
Some foods immediately make you think of bonfire smoke and cold evenings: barbecued sausages or thick homemade burgers piled high with sauces and soft caramelised onions; hearty, smoky chilli con carne (or veggie bean version) served with rice, jacket potatoes, a big dollop of sour cream or wrapped in tortillas; warming, thick pumpkin soup topped with spiced toasted pumpkin seeds.
Indian food works perfectly for big gutsy entertaining and is so often traditionally cooked over fire. Try serving a spicy meat or vegetable curry, or juicy pieces of homemade chicken tikka, cooked on the barbecue and served inside mini naan breads or chapattis with pickles, chutneys and a dollop of natural yoghurt. Samosas and bhajis, lamb koftas and Bombay potatoes are all perfect for eating with one hand, drink in the other, and are always popular.
Pulled pork, served in soft buns with coleslaw and barbecue sauce, can be prepared in advance and is easy to serve.
Homemade burritos, either assembled by guests themselves or in advance can be made mild or extra spicy and are perfect to eat with drinks. A spicy vegetable tagine served with couscous or with flatbreads works well too.
Alongside the main meals make sure that you’ve got lots of interesting nibbles, savoury for the beginning of the evening and sweet for later on. Spiced mixed nuts can be made really easily with any variety that you like and as much spicing as your guests can take. Loaded nachos piled high with melted cheese, sour cream, salsa, avocado and jalapenos are great for going back to throughout the night, while mini toffee apples are perfect for any little guests and homemade salted caramel popcorn will satisfy any adult sweet cravings.