Category Archives: Appetizers

Chardonnay Shrimp Dip

Posted on by
Reply

Chardonnay Shrimp Dip

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups frozen cooked salad shrimp, about 7 oz, thawed, drained
  • 1/2 cup Chardonnay wine
  • 1 package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons finely chopped green onions
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Directions:

  1. Coarsely chop shrimp. Place shrimp in a small glass bowl. Pour wine over shrimp, toss to coat. Cover. Refrigerate at least one hour to blend flavors. Drain shrimp, reserving wine.
  2. In another small bowl, mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, 2 tablespoons of the onions and the mustard with spoon. Fold in shrimp. If a thinner consistency is desired, stir in small amounts of the reserved wine.
  3. Spoon shrimp spread into a serving bowl. Sprinkle remaining onions over the top.
  4. Serve with crackers.
Advertisement

Candied Pecans

Posted on by
Reply

Caramelized or candied pecans

Candied Pecans

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg white
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 pound pecan halves

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F.
  2. Mix sugar, cinnamon, and salt together in a bowl.
  3. Whisk egg white and water together in a separate bowl until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture. Mix sugar mixture into pecan mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking sheet.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour.

Ham-wich

Posted on by
Reply

Ham-wich

Ingredients:

  • 1/3 cup butter, melted
  • 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
  • 1 small chopped onion
  • 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  • 1 package of Hawaiian Sweet Rolls
  • 6 slices of ham
  • 6 slices Swiss cheese

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Remove all rolls from the package in one piece and place on a cookie sheet. Slice horizontally through all 12 rolls at once. Remove the top and set aside.
  3. Combine butter, mustard, onion, and poppy seeds. Spread 1/2 of the mixture across the lower half of the rolls.
  4. Place the slices of ham across the rolls so all 12 are covered. Repeat with the Swiss.
  5. Return the top half of the rolls to complete the sandwich.
  6. Spread the remaining sauce across the top.
  7. Heat for 15 minutes and remove.
  8. Run a knife through the lines of the rolls to make 12 mini sandwiches.

Peanut Butter and Oats Snack Balls

Posted on by
Reply

Depositphotos_95633492_xl-2015

Peanut butter and oats snack balls

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup quick-cooking oats
  • 1 cup coconut flakes
  • 1/2 cup natural, crunchy peanut butter
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup ground flaxseed meal
  • 1/4 cup toasted wheat germ
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

  1. In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients except chocolate chips.
  2. Stir to combine.
  3. Add chocolate chips to mixture and stir again, just until combined.
  4. Using your hands, press firmly to form one-inch balls.
  5. Place in air-tight container and refrigerate as needed.

Crab Cakes

Posted on by
Reply

Organic Homemade Crab Cakes

Ingredients:

  • 8 small square saltine crackers, crushed
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon of dijon mustard
  • 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 pound of crab meat
  • Salt, pepper, parsley to taste
  • Butter for saute

Directions:

  1. Mix all ingredients gently in a large bowl.
  2. Gently form into tight packed cakes.
  3. Saute in butter until lightly browned.

Candied Bacon

Posted on by
Reply

candied bacon with pecans and brown sugar cooling on baking rack

Ingredients:

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  2. Mix brown sugar, rice vinegar, maple syrup, pecans, and black pepper in a small bowl.
  3. Place bacon slices on cooling rack set over a baking sheet.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, turn slices, and bake another 5 minutes.
  5. Remove bacon and brush both sides with brown sugar mixture. Return bacon to the oven and bake another 5 minutes. Repeat basting every 5 minutes until bacon is browned and crisp, about 35 minutes.

Bacon Swiss Tarts

Posted on by
Reply

dsc_0965

Ingredients:

  • 1 can flaky biscuits
  • 8 slices bacon, crisp-cooked and crumbled
  • 1 Roma tomato, seeded and chopped
  • 1/2 small onion, chopped
  • 3 ounces Swiss cheese, shredded
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 teaspoon basil

Directions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Cut each biscuit into thirds and press into greased miniature muffin cups.
  3. Combine the bacon, tomato, onion, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise and basil in a bowl and mix well.
  4. Spoon the mixture into the prepared muffin cups.  Do not overfill.
  5. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Yield 30.

Black-Eyed Pea Bruschetta

Posted on by
Reply
Ingredients
  • 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
  • 1 very large onion, finely chopped
  • 1 very large carrot, finely chopped
  • 5 garlic cloves—4 minced, 1 whole
  • 1 pound dried black-eyed peas (about 2 1/4 cups), soaked overnight and drained
  • Two 1-pound smoked ham hocks
  • 2 quarts chicken stock or low-sodium broth
  • 2 bay leaves
  • Salt and freshly ground pepper
  • 1 small baguette, sliced diagonally 3/4 inch thick
  • Freshly grated parmesan cheese, for serving

Directions:   

  1. In a large, enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onion, carrot and minced garlic and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes. Add the drained black-eyed peas, ham hocks, chicken stock and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low, cover partially and cook until the beans are tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Season generously with salt and pepper and let stand for 30 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°. Toast the bread slices in the oven for about 8 minutes, until golden. Brush lightly with olive oil and rub lightly with the garlic clove.
  3. Drain the black-eyed peas; discard the ham hocks and bay leaves. Transfer the peas to a serving bowl. Stir in the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Serve the black-eyed peas with the garlic toasts, passing grated cheese at the table.
  4. Black-eyed peas can be made up to four days in advance.

Avocado-Pineapple Shrimp Salad

Posted on by
Reply

IMG_3316

Ingredients:

For the Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon of sugar
  • 1 teaspoon lime zest, minced
  • salt and pepper to taste

For the Shrimp

  • 16 Jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • 8 slices of fresh pineapple
  • 2 avocados, pitted, peeled, cut into chunks

Directions:

  1. Whisk all ingredients for the vinaigrette together in a bowl; set aside.
  2. Toss shrimp with pepper, paprika, salt, and cayenne.
  3. Heat oil in a large saute pan over high. Add the shrimp and cook until brown on one side, about 1 minute. Turn shrimp, saute another 30 seconds, then deglaze with 2 tablespoons vinaigrette; saute until shrimp are cooked through.
  4. To serve, arrange 2 pineapple slices and some of the avocado on each serving plate. Drizzle with vinaigrette, then top with 4 shrimp.

Aged Gouda and Thyme Shortbread

Posted on by
Reply

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces of unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 1 cup grated aged gouda
  • 2 cups unbleached flour
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves chopped
  • 1 egg white, lightly whisked
  • 1/2 cup Fleur de Sel

Directions:

  1. Place the butter and cheese in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat until well combined.
  2. In a medium bowl, which together flour, salt, and chopped thyme.
  3. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour mixture, beating just until everything is blended and the dough can be handled.
  4. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board. Divide it into two pieces. Roll each piece into a 1 1/2 inch cylinder. Wrap tightly in parchment paper and chill for at least 4 hours.
  5. Position baking rack in the center of your oven and line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
  6. Bring the cylinders to cool at room temperature. Slice into coins between 1/8 and 1/4 inch thick. Place on a the prepared baking sheets, 1 inch apart. Brush the tops of the slices with the egg white and sprinkle with some Fleur de Sel.
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes, or until puffed and golden brown.
  8. Cool on a rack before serving.