Appetizers
finger foods & appetizers...
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Kale Chips {Hail to Kale}
I did it. I joined the other half of the population who has been enjoying and loves Kale. These Kale Chips are my third dish in a week where Kale stood up and was noticed.
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Pulled Pork Sliders {and the Great American Race}
Last Sunday was the Daytona 500. The first race of the Nascar season. The occasion was worthy of a special dinner, so we bought the biggest Boston Butt Pork Roast we could find, slow braised it all afternoon, and turned it into Pulled Pork Sliders to enjoy with the race.
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Smoked Paprika Sweet Potato Chips {Share the Love}
I work with 33 unique and amazing individuals. Today I shall recognize one of my more colorful teammates. Her color is pink, her personality is sassy, her aura is diva, and her soul is as pure and kind as they come. She’s beautiful inside and out. And did I mention she’s married to the sweetest man, who happens to have a kick-butt smoker. Last week she brought me a sampling of his Smoked Paprika. As soon as I opened the bag and the sweet savory aroma rose into the air…I could envision one thing and one thing only…BBQ Potato Chips. My absolute favorite…BBQ Potato Chips…were just a mandolin away from happening.
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Cheesy Garlic & Herb Pull-Apart Bread {with Maryland Crab Dip}
It’s Super Bowl Sunday and I had resigned myself to the idea that I wasn’t going to put on a big spread, even though this is the 2nd biggest eating holiday of the year, after Thanksgiving. Nope, wasn’t going to do it. Although, somehow a roast chicken dinner just didn’t scream Football the way I was starting to feel Football. So as any good coach would do….let’s drop back and punt. We have no stake in the outcome of this game so really it’s got to be about the food (and the commercials). Paying tribute to both teams for making it to the Big Game…we are having Sourdough (in honor of the San…
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Sausage, Peppers & Caramelized Onion Stromboli {a Groundhog Day Treat}
Earlier in the week, we began discussing what we would cook on Super Bowl Sunday. All the foodie websites and fb pages were alive with recipe ideas and exchanges. The possibilities ranged from good old favorites like wings and nachos to the more exotic Salmon Wraps and Filipino Spring Rolls. I had every intention of hosting a virtual Super Bowl Party on my fb page, even planned a week of recipes and posts centered around that theme. But when it came time to make the announcement….we took it in a totally different direction. Here is the Party Announcement I shared on our fb page.
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Baked Buffalo Chicken Meatballs
Chicken Wing shortage? Now that would be a ‘fowl play’ just two days before Game Time. It is estimated that American’s will eat 1.23 billion chicken wings this Super Bowl weekend or an average of 4 wings per person. There’s no question we LOVE our Super Bowl food, so much so that it has become the 2nd largest eating holiday, after Thanksgiving. While I think the chicken wing shortage story has been refuted by the National Chicken Council, let me offer up a Chicken Wing alternative just in case. Baked Buffalo Chicken Meatballs.
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Pepperoncini Beef Sliders {with Pepper Jack Cheese}
Pepperoncini Beef Sliders with Pepper Jack Cheese. Game Changer.
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Tuna Cakes {with Summer Breeze Citrus Salad}
I’m writing this post while Summer Breeze by Seals & Croft is playing in the background (from a youtube link on the page of a friend) :) Maybe I’m longing for summer a lot earlier than usual or perhaps it’s that Mother Nature is teasing us. Freezing rain yesterday, 50’s today. It’s Saturday, the sun is shining, I’m having Tuna Cakes with Citrus Salad for lunch, and these words are speaking to me: See the smile a-waitin’ in the kitchen food cookin’ and the plates for two Feel the arms that reach out to hold me in the evening when the day is through. Summer breeze makes me feel fine blowing through the jasmine…
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Garlic Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas {Healthy Living}
Healthy Living is something we should all aspire to. I’m not crazy about the word diet, unless a doctor puts you on one. For me, and many I talk with daily, we just need to bite the bullet and eat right and exercise…aka a little Healthy Living. I’m about to enter airport world, lethal for Healthy Living (just behind Amusement Parks and County Fairs). Seriously, someone please start an airport restaurant franchise featuring healthy living options, that are quick and portable. I’m taking these Garlic Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas with me…baby steps.
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Roasted Vegetables {Cauliflower & Brussels Sprouts the unsung heroes}
This past winter we began roasting almost all our veggies. We started out with potatoes and onions tossed in olive oil. Then we added zucchini, which led to cherry tomatoes and eventually we got brave enough to add Brussels sprouts, a formerly avoided at all cost vegetable. Had no idea these could be so amazing…. we actually ate Brussels 2-3 times a week for months.
