Throw a girls' poker party

Baby Baked Potatoes with Soured Cream and Caviar
Makes 12
Just because your girlfriends are round instead of 'Mr Right' doesn't mean you can't indulge yourself with a little decadent luxury. Instead of Beluga, use lumpfish caviar, which won't blow the budget and can be found in most big supermarkets in the canned fish section.

12 baby new potatoes
100ml/3½fl oz soured cream
1 tbsp fresh chives, snipped
black pepper
50g/1¾oz lumpfish caviar

Preheat the oven to 190C/gas mark 6 and bake the potatoes for 20-25 minutes or until just soft. Mix together the soured cream, chives and pepper. Make a small cross on the top of each potato and spoon in a dollop of soured cream, topped with a generous teaspoonful of caviar. Serve immediately.

Chilli Corn Fritters with Maple Yoghurt Dip
Makes about 12
A favourite snack from the 'Deep South', the states best known for being part of the Confederacy. It may sound like a strange savoury/sweet combination but the maple yoghurt partners wonderfully with these piquant golden goodies. Spread the fritters around a serving plate with a small bowl of dip in the middle.

100g/3½oz self raising flour
200g/7oz canned sweetcorn, drained and rinsed
1 red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped
90ml/3fl oz milk
2 eggs, beaten
salt and pepper
2-3 tbsp oil for frying
200g/7oz Greek yoghurt
100ml/5fl oz maple syrup

Put the flour in a mixing bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour in the milk, eggs, salt and pepper and stir until just combined. Quickly fold in the corn and chilli.

Heat a little of the oil in a large frying pan and spoon in a ladleful of the corn batter to make 7cm / 2½-inch fritters. Fry for 4-5 minutes then turn and fry another 1-2 minutes or until nicely golden on both sides. Remove and set on kitchen paper while you fry the rest, adding a little more oil between batches when necessary.

Mix together the yoghurt and maple syrup to make the dip. Serve immediately. You can make the fritters in advance and store them in the fridge or freezer. Microwave or heat in the oven and serve warm with the dip.