Browsing Tag

cheese

Tasty

Last Minute Appetizer Ideas

December 31, 2013

NYE tends to be one of the most stressful days of the year for me.  I always forget about it/put off planning anything, and then a day or two (or the day of), I’m running around trying to make plans – when all I usually want to do is sit on my couch and drink some champagne.  No matter your agenda for tonight, it never hurts to have a little cheat sheet of last minute appetizer ideas for any impromptu guests or plans.

Waiters

Here are some of my favorite that we have created this holiday season:

Whipped Ricotta with Pomegranates and Mint 

  1. Add whole milk ricotta to a food processor and turn on for 1-2 minutes until cheese gets to your preferred whipped consistency.
  2. Sprinkle in freshly ground pepper and sea salt. Drizzle with high quality EVOO and sprinkle pomegranate seeds and shopped mint leaves.
  3. Enjoy with flat bread or pita.

Basil & Apricot Bites

  1. Mix goat cheese with chopped basil to taste (I used 4 oz goat cheese to 1-2 Tablespoons) in a bowl.
  2. Spoon a teaspoon of the cheese mixture onto a dried apricot.
  3. Top with a marcona almond and drizzle with honey.

Apricot with Basil Goat Cheese

Beggars Purses 

  • We opted for the “save time” route by simply forgoing the actual creating of the purses and served them blini style – which was just as yummy!

Beggars Purses

For some more entertaining ideas check out here!

Tasty

Farmer’s Market Salad

September 12, 2013

Fig Cataloupe Blue Cheese Almond Salad

The end of the summer has made me go crazy at farmers markets lately, and I can’t get enough of summer produce!  Figs

 I wanted to whip a fun appetizer with my finds – here is what I did:

  • Sliced figs (I used green ones)
  • Sliced cantaloupes
  • Shaved Maytag Blue Cheese
  • Slivered Marcona Almonds

Drizzle honey over everything… Drizzle HoneyAnd voila! And voila! Fig Cataloupe Blue Cheese Almond Salad

Tasty

You Say Tomato…

September 4, 2013

Farmers MarketAnyone who knows me knows I hate tomatoes… so how could it be that I’m buying tomatoes ON MY OWN ACCORD lately?! Enter – heirloom tomatoes.  Something about them is so appealing, and the sweetness of them makes it hard to deny how tasty a summer treat they are!  Here is how I’ve been enjoying the produce lately…

Roasted Tomato Crostini

Honestly I’ve been making roasted tomatoes weekly and enjoy them over ricotta and sprinkled with basil.  I tried a fun variation this weekend of a crostini lightly brushed with a garlic clove and topped with warm goat cheese and a balsamic reduction.

How to Roast Tomatoes:

  1. Wash cherry tomatoes (can do with any kind, but I like smaller, sweet ones)
  2. Spread out on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil (optional)
  3. Sprinkle with salt and pepper (Maldon sea salt will change your life)
  4. Roast at 400 degrees for 30 minutes or so (keep an eye on them, because it depends how many you use/how hot your oven gets, etc. – you want them blistered but not burnt)

Caprese

I also love a great caprese salad.  Want to elevate it? Substitute mozzarella for buffala mozzarella or burrata (your life will be changed).

Caprese Salad

  • Sliced heirloom tomatoes
  • Sliced basil leaves
  • Mozzarella cheese
  • Balsamic reduction/olive oil
  1. Slice tomatoes
  2. Season with salt and pepper (once again, I HIGHLY recommend Maldon sea salt)
  3. Tear pieces of basil and sprinkle atop tomatoes
  4. Place a portion of cheese on top of tomatoes (you can slice mozzarella into smaller pieces, burrata can be torn in half and served in the center)
  5. Drizzle with balsamic reduction and/or olive oil.
Tasty

Nacho Party

August 19, 2013

We were looking for a fun way to mix up Sunday night dinners… so after a morning at the lake and an afternoon in the pool no one was in the mood to slave in the kitchen… so was born – a Nacho Party!

Nachos

I spread chips on a baking sheet and sprinkled beans and shredded cheese on top.  A baked them in a preheated oven at 375 degrees for about 5 minutes (or until cheese is melted).

Tips: 

  • Chips should be medium thickness – greasy or super thin/thick chips will not make for great nachos.  Tostitos Simply Natural or the Organic Trader Joe’s chips are great options. 
  • Cheese that melts well is critical.  I made three separate baking sheets of chips – 1. Monterey Jack/Pepper Jack Blend, 2. Mild Cheddar, 3. Combination of 1 & 2

Chips

Prepare toppings in separate bowls for your guests to choose their own toppings.

Suggestions: 

  • Meat (I bought pre-marinated Carne Asada and Pollo Asada at TJ’s)
  • Guacamole/Salsa/Sour Cream
  • Cilantro
  • Radishes
  • Avocado
  • Diced Tomatoes

Toppings

Fiesta time!!! Stay tuned Friday for a great cocktail recipe to make for your Nacho Party 🙂

Nacho Party

Tasty

Spanglish Sandwich

August 14, 2013

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Ten years ago my family created our famous go-to breakfast sandwich based off the one from the film Spanglish.  It is so simple, but when made with ingredients from my mom’s garden, and organic produce… it is taken to the next level.

Egg Sandwich

Spanglish Breakfast Sandwich

Assemble the following between toasted sourdough toast:

  • Sliced heirloom tomatoes
  • Romaine lettuce
  • Sliced onion
  • Maple bacon
  • Sliced avocado
  • Fried egg
  • White cheddar cheese

004I recommend cooking the bacon, then frying the egg in the rendered bacon fat… shred the white cheddar on the hot egg and voila!  You also can put a little mayo on your toast, but I think it’s just as yummy without it!  Good morning!!!

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