Tag Archives: appetizer

Queso Fundido

Appetizers, Dressing/ Sauce/ Dip, Meat/ Poultry, Side Dish, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

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Tortillas are a staple in my kitchen.  Between making chicken burritos, breakfast burritos , tortilla chips and soft tacos as a quick meal I make sure I always have tortillas on hand.  I was searching for a new way to use tortillas when I just happen to come across a delicious looking Mexican dish that included tortillas.  I had never heard of Queso Fundido which means “melted cheese”.  I discovered that Queso Fundido is actually a very popular dish even in the states.

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In most areas Queso Fundido is made as an appetizer but my research showed some folks like to turn it into a sandwich.  Since I was new to making the recipe I thought I had better stick to making it an appetizer.  There were so many different recipes out in the cooking sphere I decided to find a basic recipe then add my own little twist.  The standard ingredients for any Queso Fundido is spicy sausage, tomatoes and cheese.  After that you can add whatever seasonings you like.  Chorizo is the sausage of choice in most recipes because of the level of heat and spice.  If you are not into spicy sausage, you can still make this dish but use a milder Italian sausage.  Nobody will care.  Use whatever makes you happy.  But if you want the Queso Fundido to be authenic, use the chorizo.

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Be prepared for this dish to disappear quickly.  If you have cheese lovers in your house, they will definitely love Queso Fundido.  Serve it up while it is hot and bubbly along with warm tortillas.  Talk about Yummy!

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Queso Fundido

Ingredients:

1 pkg ground chorizo or spicy Italian sausage

6 flour tortillas

1 jalapeno seeded and chopped

1 clove garlic chopped

2 plum tomatoes seeded and chopped

2 cups mozzarella or Mexican cheese

¼ cup diced onion or scallions

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp cilantro chopped

1 tsp salt

½ tsp black pepper

¼ tsp ground cumin

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat olive oil in medium sized skillet. Brown chorizo until cooked and slightly crisp. Remove sausage from the pan and drain on paper towels. Add garlic, onions, jalapeno tomatoes and seasonings to the skillet. Stir to mix well. Reduce heat and cook for 3 – 5 minutes until veggies are soft. Add sausage to the mixture and stir to combine.

Spray a pie dish with cooking spray. Sprinkle ½ of the cheese in the bottom of the dish. Layer ½ of the chorizo and vegetable mixture over cheese. Sprinkle a little more cheese over the chorizo mixture then top with remaining cheese.

Bake for 20 – 25 minutes until cheese melts and dish is slightly browned and bubbly. Serve with warmed tortillas.

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Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

Appetizers, Uncategorized, Vegetables, , , , , , , ,

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On a whim I thought I would try making Jalapeno Poppers. Not the type of poppers that are breaded and fried. I wanted to make oven baked poppers with a twist. I wrapped them in bacon. Yummy!

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Making the Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon was a quick and semi-easy task. I was a little gun shy in making them at first because I had recently tried making roasted stuffed poblano peppers and it was a disaster. But, I made lemonade out of those lemons by adding the collapsed roasted poblano peppers to a brown rice dish I decided to create. More on that one later.

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The most difficult task in preparing the poppers was cleaning the jalapeno peppers. After slicing off a little piece of the pepper I had to remove the seeds and membrane. Both are the hottest part of the jalapeno pepper just like any other hot pepper. Removing the seeds and membrane helped to tone down the heat of Jalapeno Poppers but they were still a little hot. I guess stuffing the peppers with pepper jack cheese may have contributed to the level of heat also (ya think !?!). Of course, if you are not a fan of really hot foods, you could use a milder cheese like cheddar or monterey cheese. However, if you are willing to make Jalapeno Poppers I doubt heat is really an issue for you.

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Bacon. Who besides non meat eaters does not like bacon? Bacon adds a lot of flavor to most dishes (even ice cream if you are truly adventurous) and it definitely adds another level of flavor to the Jalapeno Poppers.

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Fast, easy and tasty. Three words I like to hear whenever I have to cook. I think this recipe fits the bill for all three.

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Jalapeno Poppers with Bacon

Ingredients:
8 – 10 jalapeno peppers with stems
4 – 8 slices of bacon sliced in half
½ cup shredded pepper jack cheese
¼ cup whipped cream cheese
8 – 10 toothpicks

Optional Stuffing:
Crumbled browned Italian sausage and cheese
Sauteed veggies and cheese
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine pepper jack cheese and cream cheese in a small bowl. Okay to use your fingers. Set aside.

Slice jalapeno peppers lengthwise to remove part of the pepper without removing the stem. Prepare only a few at a time so that you do not mix up the different sections of the peppers.

Stuff peppers with cheese then place cut slice over cheese. Wrap a slice of bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and back for 20 – 25 minutes until bacon is crispy. Drain on paper towels.

Optional:

To stretch the peppers just cut them in half and stuff each half then wrap in bacon.  The peppers are great whether you serve them whole or in halves.

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Apple, Brie and Prosciutto Appetizer

Appetizers, Fruits, Meat/ Poultry, Uncategorized, , , , , , , ,

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Apples are a marvelous fruit that is transformed throughout the year into delicious recipes for snacks, drinks and desserts. Some recipes are seasonal like warm apple crisp in the warmer months or mixed into fruit salads in the cooler months. My simple recipe for Apple, Brie and Prosciutto Appetizer can be made anytime of the year and may be transformed by the type of apple you decide to use.

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In the fall , the best kinds of apples are honey crisp, Swiss gourmet and granny smith. When my youngest son was a little guy we would gather some friends to go apple picking before the weather turned too cold. There was a local farm not far from out neighborhood that allowed you to pick seasonal fruits by the pound. The kids loved it because they could ride a wagon down to the apple orchard then fill their bags to the brim. Granted, it was a little more expense than store bought apples but to see the kids running around having fun was well worth it. Plus, there was a petting zoo, face painting and pony rides that the kids all loved.

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My apple of choice for this recipe was a granny smith apple. We did not have time to pick any so I had to settle for apples from the grocer. Still, the apples were juicy and delicious. Anyway, I used granny smith apples because I wanted a contrast of flavors between the Apples, Brie and Prosciutto.

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Hubby thought the Apple, Brie and Prosciutto Appetizer was sweet and rich but not too rich. Sour, salty and sweet is how I would describe the flavors. Sour, because of the granny smith apples. Salty, because of the slightly salty prosciutto and sweet because of the nice creamy brie. Adding a few crackers to the mix made my hubby and I agree this was an appetizer our family, friends and my blog followers would enjoy. This recipe will definitely be on my menu for the holidays. To make it look festive during the holidays I think I will use both red and green apples. Maybe I should make an apricot fruit dip to go along with the apples. Hmmm….. stay tuned for that one.

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Apple, Brie and Prosciutto Appetizer

Ingredients:
1 – 2 granny smith apples sliced into wedges
1 – 2 pkgs prosciutto sliced in half lengthwise
8 oz brie sliced cut into bite sized pieces

Place a piece of brie on each apple slice then wrap with prosciutto. Serve with crackers.

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Black Bean and Corn Gazpacho

Appetizers, Main Course, Soups/ Salads / Stews, Vegetables, , , , , , ,

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I am one of those people that enjoys soup year round. Similar to my Auntie M who drinks hot tea 365 days a year no matter what the temperature is outside. Of course on the hottest of days in the summer when I have a craving for soup, I prefer a gazpacho style soup.

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Gazpacho is a soup made with raw veggies and is usually served chilled but can be warmed. Most gazpacho soups have a tomato base with multiple layers of flavor and textures. The ingredients and thickness of the gazpacho often depends on the region in which it is made. While researching the history of gazpacho I learned that in Spain some of the original recipes included bread, vinegar, water,oil and garlic. Other recipes added fruits and nuts to the recipes.

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I decided to create a very simple version of gazpacho that would be delicious whether served chilled or slightly warmed. Black Bean and Corn Gazpacho fits that description as both black beans and corn are good when served hot or cold. The best thing about this soup is that it is relatively light and is very flavorful with fresh corn. So, the next time you have a craving for a nice healthy soup in the middle of a hot summer day think about making some Black Bean and Corn Gazpacho. Hot or cold you can’t go wrong with this soup.

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Black Bean and Corn Gazpacho

 Ingredients:
3 15.5 oz cans black beans rinsed
1 small onion diced
4 cups chicken broth
1 ½ cups fresh corn kernels
½ cup fresh salsa or diced tomatoes
¼ cup half and half
2 tbsp sour cream
1 tsp cilantro
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1 tsp parsley
½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

Place beans, onions, broth and seasonings in a large pot over medium high heat. Cook for 20 minutes until beans and onions are tender. Remove from heat and puree beans using a hand blender or in a regular blender. Place pot back on the heat and reduce to a simmer. Stir in sour cream and half and half. Simmer for another 5 minutes then stir in corn and salsa. Continue simmering for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

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Smoked Salmon and Cucumber

Appetizers, Seafood/ Fish, Vegetables, , , , ,

 

IMG_7798_1I am always looking for new appetizers and snacks for parties or just to have on the weekends. I try to incorporate veggies as much as possible to keep the appetizers light. One appetizer I really like to make is a smoked salmon spread. I use light cream cheese and reduced fat sour cream to lessen the calories but maintain flavor.

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The other day I had an English cucumber leftover from another recipe that I did not want to waste so I decided to make a quick appetizer by filling the cucumber with my smoked salmon spread. I just tweaked the recipe a little by adding the scooped out center of the cucumber to the spread to add another layer of texture. My hubby is big on textures when it comes to food which has made me more aware of including different textures when I cook. I think it helps to enhance most dishes when you can have layers of flavor and layers of textures. What better way to create a party in your mouth and keep the experience of eating interesting than by tickling your taste buds with variety of textures and flavor!

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To me, smoked salmon and cucumbers is a fancier version of celery filled with pimento cheese or peanut butter. A great appetizer or snack that is easy to make and wonderful to eat.

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Smoked Salmon and Cucumber

Ingredients:
1 pkg smoked salmon diced
1 English cucumber (strip skin to decorate with stripes)
½ tsp old bay seasoning
½ tsp dill
½ tsp lemon zest
½ tsp seasoned salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
½ cup softened cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream
juice of 1lemon
paprika

Scoop out the center of cucumber and reserve.  In a medium bowl cream together the reserved cucumber center, cream cheese and sour cream. Add lemon juice, zest, dill and seasonings to cream cheese mixture. Blend together until well mixed. Gently incorporate the salmon into the mixture.

Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise.  Cut into bite-size pieces. Spread salmon mixture into the center of each cucumber bite.  Arrange on a tray and then refrigerate until ready to serve. Sprinkle with smoked paprika prior to serving.

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Mixed Wild Mushrooms with Goat Cheese

Appetizers, Vegetables, , ,

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Not everyone is a fan of mushrooms in any way, shape or form whether they are button, shiitake, portabella or something else. Fortunately, that is not true in my household so I have room to experiment when it comes to preparing mushrooms. The day I came up with my Mixed Wild Mushrooms with Goat Cheese recipe I wanted to make a quick appetizer that would be healthy and tasty.

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Goat cheese is not one of my go to cheeses when I am cooking. I like goat cheese in salads but I did not know if I could actually cook with it so I had to do a little research to see if what I wanted to do would work. I was surprised to learn goat cheese has a lot less sodium and has about 40 fewer calories than than cheddar cheese. I thought goat cheese would have more calories since it is so creamy. Besides the nice health benefits of goat cheese it softens easily when heated and blends well into other foods.

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Hubby was my taste tester for this recipe only because he wandered into the kitchen while I was setting up the dish for pictures. Fortunately, I was able to snap a couple of pictures before he gobbled up most of mushrooms. Always a good sign for a recipe when the taste testers clean their plates and leave with a smile on their face.

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Mixed Wild Mushrooms with Goat Cheese

Ingredients:
2 pkgs mixed wild mushrooms
3 oz crumbled goat cheese
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water
½ tsp salt
½ tsp cracked black pepper
½ tsp cilantro
½ tsp oregano
½ tsp parsley
5 dashes hot sauce
1 dozen crostini slices

Place butter and olive oil in a medium non-stick frying pan. Allow butter to melt then add mushrooms. Saute mushrooms until they brown slightly. Add seasonings, water and goat cheese. Stir constantly until goat cheese blends into the mushrooms. Serve on toasted crostini slices.

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Roasted Garlic

Appetizers, Vegetables, ,

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Roasted garlic may not be something you want to order on a first date but it is something you can serve to a group of friends. When everyone is eating garlic there is no need to worry about sweet breath.

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It may seem funny but I was intimidated by the idea of roasting garlic. I didn’t realize how simple it would be until I watched a cooking show that featured roasting vegetables. The best thing about roasting garlic is that it can be used in any dish requiring garlic and adds a nice smoky flavor. Try using roasted garlic instead of fresh chopped garlic the next time you make chili, soup or stew.

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Once I stopped being a scary cat about roasting I really liked serving roasted garlic as an appetizer. Served with olive oil and slices of crusty bread it is a wonderful treat. Besides being good to eat garlic is good for your health. I researched the benefits of garlic and found that it helps boost the immune system so it is great in the winter months when colds and flu are rampant. Garlic also is a great source of vitamin B6 which researchers say has cancer fighting abilities.

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Garlic may not improve your love life or be the most romantic food on the planet but it is healthy!

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 D. Marie Poetry

We are……
Friends
physically distant
communicating
in spirit
in being

Friends
colorful as each rainbow
changing with each season
still, we blend
creating new beauty

Friends
eternal as the moon
intense as the sun
you give love
and I love you

D. Marie

Roasted Garlic

Ingredients:
1 large whole garlic bulb
½ tbsp salt
½ tbsp black pepper
¼ cup olive oil
cooking spray
small strip of foil

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Spray foil with cooking spray. Remove outer skin from individual garlic cloves and place in center of foil wrap. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and olive oil. Fold foil over and create a little pouch. Place on a cookie sheet and bake until garlic is soft. Approximately 30 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

To use as an appetizer, place a bulb of garlic into an a small dish and pour olive oil over garlic. Gently smash garlic into olive oil. Add red pepper flakes to spice things up or a little chopped basil.  Serve with sliced french bread or any crusty bread you like.

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Smoked Salmon Bites

Appetizers, Seafood/ Fish,

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On quiet Sunday mornings my hubby and I like to sit out on the porch and have a nice breakfast of bagels, smoked salmon and cream cheese. Smoked salmon bites are a version of those Sunday breakfasts put into one little bite.

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Whenever we entertain family and friends it takes me a while to plan out the menu. I try hard not to serve the same ol’ thing to repeat guests and often rack my brain to come up with at least one new entree and appetizer for each party. There are always crowd favorites but sooner or later folks want something besides dip, chips and a veggie tray.

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Smoked salmon bites pack a lot of flavor into one tiny bite. The first time I tried them out on guests I was pleasantly surprised that the smoked salmon bites went like hot cakes. I actually ran out of them in a short period of time and had to resort to putting together a small veggie tray.

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The next time you have a few friends over try making these tasty little bites and see how your guests react. Better yet, give yourself a nice little treat on a quiet weekend while you work on the Sunday morning crossword puzzle.

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Smoked Salmon Bites

Ingredients:

1 8 oz pkg smoked salmon chopped

1 pkg mini fillo pastry shells (thawed)

4 oz softened cream cheese

2 tbsp sour cream

2 tbsp capers

5 cherry tomatoes chopped

½ tsp finely chopped red onion

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp dill

1 tsp spicy brown mustard

½ tsp black pepper

½ tsp salt

3 dashes hot sauce

Add all ingredients except pastry cups to a large bowl except fillo shells. Gently combine the ingredients but do not over mix. Fill each pastry cup with some of the salmon mixture. Top with a small sliver of red onion or parsley.