Appetizers
finger foods & appetizers...
-
Baba Ghanoush {Eggplant Dip}
While the recipe is delicious, I have since discovered a much easier and equally tasty version. Check out my Easy Baba Ghanoush recipe here. Eggplant was the abundant ‘on sale’ item in the fridge today. I had bought two varieties at the Farmers’ Market but had yet to come up with a plan. While fresh picked eggplant is one of the most beautiful fruits of the garden, once cooked….is not always as good looking. I did a quick Internet search for ‘pretty images’ of eggplant recipes and came across several for Baba Ghanoush. I’d heard of it, maybe even enjoyed it in a restaurant, but certainly had not made it from scratch. I decided to try…
-
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Tomatoes
Spinach Artichoke Stuffed Tomatoes. Using ingredients we have on-hand and turning them in to savory goodness makes me happy. Cut tops off tomatoes and using a melon baller gently remove seeds. Fill with prepared spinach artichoke dip. Top with grated Parmesan cheese, sea salt & cracked pepper.
-
Parmesan Crisps with Summer Tomato Salad
Fresh local grown tomatoes inspire me. And they are so flavorful and delicious right now. The farmers’ market is bursting with gorgeous varieties and the growers are quick to share what makes theirs uniquely different. Alas, I must try them all. Parmesan Crisps with Summer Tomatoes make a wonderful appetizer or serve them in place of a salad.
-
Parmesan Crisps
Parmesan Crisps are the most delicate and lovely side to a beautiful bowl of soup the world has ever known. They’re also a damn good low-carb snack, bite-sized appetizer vessel or full-sized pasta bowl.
-
Chicken & Cashew Lettuce Wraps
Chicken & Cashew Lettuce Wraps. Do you ever pick something up to take a bite and quickly realize there’s no putting it down? It’s just too yummy to stop or too messy to chance a reload. I find this is the case with most cupcakes, wrap sandwiches, corn on the cob, tacos, and definitely lettuce wraps. This dish needs to be eaten at the table, with family & friends, where you can lean over your plate, lick your fingers, and not worry about a napkin until you’ve taken the last bite.
-
Seared Scallops with Macadamia Cilantro Pesto
Just a little appeteaser… Start with beautiful sea scallops, rinse and pat dry. For these I lightly rolled the edges of the scallops in some sea salt and freshly cracked pepper. Set aside while you make pesto.
-
Coconut Almond Shrimp with Sweet & Spicy Orange Sauce
Coconut Almond Shrimp with Sweet & Spicy Orange Sauce. Tonight marks the end of the 4th of July Holiday week. And if you’re anything like me, you’ve been milking it for everything it’s worth. We have spent the last 36 hours on “vacation” at our good friend’s new lake home. Tucked away miles from the hustle and bustle (yet less than an hour from home), sits their beautifully peaceful retreat. We rolled in jet ski adventures, with big laughs, a great dinner, porch sitting, and Breakfast at Wimbledon. Just perfect!
-
Surreal Bites
Caesar Teaser in Parmesan cup… My mom gave me a unique cookbook several years ago called Surreal Gourmet Bites. It changed my life or at least the way I viewed food. Thank you Surreal Gourmet (Bob Blumer) for inspiring me to eat with my eyes first and thanks mom for always choosing gifts for life.
-
Tuna Fish & Chips {Surreal Bites}
My mom gave me a unique cookbook several years ago called Surreal Gourmet Bites. It changed my life or at least the way I viewed food. Thank you Surreal Gourmet (Bob Blumer) for inspiring me to eat with my eyes first and thanks mom for always choosing gifts for life.
-
Succulent Scallops Wrapped in Bacon
Succulent Scallops Wrapped in Bacon. Without a doubt scallops are my most favorite shellfish, especially big sweet sea scallops. If they didn’t cost quite so much I believe I could eat them every day. There are so many ways to serve scallops but wrapped in bacon is a classic that will never go out of style.
