Nothing can prove your cooking skills better than an impromptu happy hour made in less than five minutes And nothing makes people happier than a last-minute invitation. Thanks to haste (which, as we know unleashes the creativity of even the most hesitant cooks) and a few ingredients to keep on hand at all times, here is how to surprise your guests with four super-simple recipes. And you’ll get even your weariest guest talking. If you’re really late even as you read this, start by turning your oven on to 350° and get going.
BACON-WRAPPED PRUNES
Line a nonstick pan with parchment paper. Count out three California prunes (medium or large) per guest—no more—and wrap a thin slice of bacon around them. Use a toothpick to keep the bacon in place. Bake until the bacon is transparent and crisp (no more than 10 minutes). Serve with fresh mint leaves skewered on the toothpicks.
BREAD AND ANCHOVY TARTS
Slice some bread about 3/8” thick and put them in the oven. When they’re crisp, spread butter on them and place an anchovy on top. Garnish with chives and half a walnut. If you can get walnut bread, that’s even better. In this case, don’t bake the bread: simply spread the butter on it, and place the anchovy and chives on top.
CLASSIC BRUSCHETTA
Rinse tomatoes and then dice them. Put them in a bowl. Tear some basil with your hands (it gets bitter if you chop it with a knife), a little chili pepper, a crushed garlic clove, some oregano and a pinch of salt. Stir well and then remove the garlic. In the meantime, prepare the bread. Day-old bread is best, but if it’s fresh then bake it for a few minutes to dry it out. Slice it, toast it and rub some fresh garlic over each slice. Spoon the tomato mixture over the top. Drizzle some extra virgin olive oil over the top.
FAKE PIZZA
Cut sliced bread diagonally and toast for a few minutes. Spoon some tomato sauce over the top (if you’re using tomato paste, stir in a little water but make sure the tomato sauce is thick) and place a slice of mozzarella on it. Top with a pinch of oregano and bake for a few minutes.
POLENTA-GORGONZOLA SQUARES
In Italy they call it polenta, and it’s a mixture of water, cornmeal and salt. But for a quick recipe, you need ready-made polenta. Slice the polenta into 1.5” to 2” squares that are about 1” thick (3–4 squares per person) and put them in a nonstick pan. Spoon some gorgonzola on top of each square. Cover and cook for 5 minutes. They’re done when the cheese is melted. Serve hot.
