WaWa's Melbourne Cup Spread

It would be unAustralian to not go into the office sweepstake when asked politely, nor to bring a dip for 3 o'clock. But its ok if you don't wear spray-on fake tan or call yourself Sheila.

Cornchips and Salsa

Ingredience:
2 just ripe avocados
1/4 red onion
Juice of 1/2 lemon or 1 lime
1 ripe tomato
Handful of coriander
Half a red or green capsicum
Half a cucumber
1 tsp brown sugar if you choose
1 packet of cornships from the shops - Rositas has brought out a new range which is completely bright red.

Method:
1) Dice finely red onions, capsicums and cucumber - they should be about 2mm by 2mm.
2) Soak red onions with lemon for around 20 minutes to take off sharpness
3) Roughly chop tomato, avocado and coriander. Cover avocado with lemon juice straight away to stop from browning.
4) Mix all & chill till ready to serve with cornchips

Tahiniless Hummus
- when you don't have tahini on hand, sour cream is the next best thing

Ingredience:
400 g chickpeas - canned or freshly cooked (soak for 4 hrs then boil for 20 mins)
Juice of one lemon
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tbs sour cream
1 clove garlic
1/2 tsp cumin powder
Salt & pepper

Method:
1) Blend all in blender - less if you like a coarser texture, more if you are into smoother taste
2) Garnish with Italian parsley or coriander. Keeps for 4-5 days in fridge in airtight container.

Marinated Fetta

Ingredience:
150g Fetta - Danish or greek both fine
1/4 cup olive oil
2 - 3 cloves garlic, crushed & head bit removed
1 tsp whole peper corns
1 tsp whole cumin seeds
4 - 5 sprigs of fresh oregano and or thyme

Method:
1) Break fetta into smaller chunks & marinate everything well mixed in a jar for around 20 hours before serving. Fab with Italian bread!!

Crazy Kiwi Dip
- seems to have appeared in every party I've been to in New Zealand. You'll love the onion bits tenderised in the cream.

Ingredience:
1 packet onion or french onion soup mix
200g can reduced cream (nz) or reduced fat cream (oz)
1 packet of chips

Method:
1) Mix in soup mix and reduced cream - by hand or majic stick, your choice
2) Chill for 1 hr before serving

Other suggestions for another time:
Sushi, broad bean & pecarino paste, pesto - coriander, basil or watercress, homemade lebanese garlic bread