Forever Nigella: Street Party!

This month’s Forever Nigella (hosted by Mardi at eat. live. travel. write.) required participants to make fun appetizer-like finger foods that one would bring to a British street party. In Britain, street parties are traditionally held to celebrate national events. The Royal Wedding was offered as inspiration for this virtual street party but, honestly, my friend (Codename: Candelabra) and I couldn’t find too much inspiration in that considering we’re on the western side of the Atlantic. On a more humorous note, I find it hilarious that Ricky Gervais has been asked several times whether he was planning on watching the Royal Wedding, and he gave this very blunt answer. (See #3 of Week one hundred and sixty-four – April 2011).

Don’t get me wrong! Both Candelabra and I were very excited for this theme because Candelabra had the perfect recipe submission: Nigella’s cocktail sausages.Candelabra has been jonesing to make these sausages again ever since she first served them at her sister-in-law’s baby shower. And when I say jonesing, I mean that for EVERY THEME since the beginning of Forever Nigella, Candelabra has suggested we make cocktail sausages for our joint submission. (Actually, Candelabra refers to them as cocktail “weenies”, as in, “Let’s make the weenies!” But, I can’t get on board with that term.)

Let’s take a look here. For “Seasonal Sensations”, these sausages were a possibility but there were too many other Christmas-y type dishes I wanted to make instead. Plus, Candelabra was too busy to participate that month.Then came “Seduced by Chocolate”. Making the sausages might have been a bit too “suggestive”, especially if we somehow incorporated a chocolate dipped sausage!! “Ciao Italia” might have worked but the way Nigella prepares these sausages isn’t authentic Italian. So, when Candelabra heard the “Street Party!” theme, she immediately exclaimed, “Cocktail sausages! They actually make sense this time!”

I have a sneaky suspicion that Candelabra will continue to suggest cocktail sausages for future Forever Nigella themes. The craziest part is that Candelabra has so much stuff going on this month that she won’t be able to make her beloved cocktail sausages in time. Isn’t that terrible? ‘Tis the life of a surgical oncologist…

Now that I’ve made these cocktail sausages, I understand Candelabra’s enthusiasm. The prep is minimal and the smell of the sesame oil and soy sauce is intensified during the cooking process while the sweet honey comes through on the palate. The sweet and savory sauce is so tasty that you’ll want to make sure and get all the lovely sauce onto the serving platter. I highly recommend these for your next party. So does Candelabra!

To see this month’s round-up of “Street Party!” Nigella recipes, head over to Forever Nigella! Or, better yet, join in the fun for next month!