Bruschetta with Hummus and Olives
I made this last night (adapted from Cooking Light Magazine) as a nice light dinner to enjoy. It’s really refreshing, especially as we hit the summer months. The… Read More »
Celery Stuffed with Spicy Cream Cheese
This appetizer (or mid-afternoon snack) is quite tasty and filling. Give it a shot if you love celery :)
Homemade Pine Nut Hummus
Hummus is a staple in my fridge on most days. It’s healthy and it tastes great on pitas, chips, crackers or even on a sandwich as a spread. What’s even more amazing is how easy it is to make from scratch (you will need a food processor for this recipe). Most of the ingredients you probably have in your cabinet, with the exception of chickpeas and tahini.
Tomato and Mozzarella Caprese Skewers
My favorite salad at an Italian restaurant is caprese, hands down. There is nothing like fresh Mozzarella, sweet tomatoes, basil and the tang of balsamic vinegar drizzled on the top. I’ve taken this classic and created an easily edible form by putting it on skewers. It’s also easy to store the ingredients because they come in their own little packages.
Polenta with Sun-dried Tomato Tapenade
Crispy pieces of polenta topped with a tangy sun-dried tomato tapenade makes a pretty and tasty appetizer. Polenta is great because you can buy it already prepared and refrigerate what you don’t use (optimal for single person recipes!). This lower fat appetizer will surely be a hit if you bring it to a party or prepare it at home. This recipe below will work for 1 or 2 people depending on how much you plan to eat :)
Goat Cheese Dip with Green Chiles
This is just one of a few appetizers I plan to post in the next few days. With all the holiday parties coming up there is no doubt some of you might be in need of an appetizer idea that isn’t just the standard. This creamy and cheesy dip has an added kick with green chiles and cayenne pepper. Be sure to drain the ricotta the day you want to serve the dip. I recommend serving it with tortilla chips, but bread or crackers would also work well.
Balsamic Oven-Baked Fries
Balsamic vinegar is a must have for every kitchen. For me its a staple like salt and pepper. It can be added to so many dishes to add flavor and zest! Think about traditional fish and chips with malt vinegar on the fries…this is a slightly sweeter alternative! I also have a huge addiction to french fries, so this recipe provides an alternative option to deep frying. Thick-cut russet potatoes are easy to come by and don’t cost a lot of money.
Spicy Fried Pickles
If you ask any of my friends they will tell you that I am a pickle fiend. If there is a stray pickle sitting on someones plate that is not going to be consumed, I have no problem reaching across and stealing it without asking! :) I had my first fried pickle in Colorado about a year ago when I was away on a business trip. I recommend using dill pickle chips as the provide the best flavor, but you can also do this with bread and butter chips for a sweet and salty snack.
Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is super easy to make and is a delicious addition to the side of any Italian dish. I also sometimes make it to accompany a salad for lunch (since greens can sometimes be lacking pizazz). While it’s super easy to go and buy at the store or from the freezer, there is nothing like using a freshly baked bread and thin-sliced fresh peeled garlic.
Goat Cheese, Onion and Tomato Triscuit
I was feeling inspired by my triscuit box that I bought at the grocery store. They always have pictures of cool ways you can use your triscuit, so I decided that I would give it a whirl. This recipe is a slight modification of @GeekBoston’s Goat cheese and onion tart. I made it this weekend for a football party and it was a big hit! It’s fast, easy and delicious.
