Posts under ‘Appetizers’

Summer Fest Ingredient: Tomatoes
What better way to bring Summer Fest to an end than with an ode to the season’s most popular produce? Whether you consider them a fruit or a veggie, there’s no denying that tomatoes of every shape and size make for one versatile food. From simple salads to hearty sauces, tomatoes take [...]

Summer Fest Ingredient: Herbs, Greens & Beans
Making ricotta cheese from scratch isn’t as daunting as it may seem. Start with a mix of milk and buttermilk and end with spoonful after spoonful of creamy homemade ricotta. Fold in your favorite fresh herbs and you’ve got a perfect pasta filling, an unbeatable crostini topper or my [...]

There are few things better than homemade meatballs. These Polpette Fritte hail from the northeastern region of Italy and combine spicy Italian sausage, ground turkey and beef with raisins, pine nuts and Parmesan. Roll this killer combo of sweetness and spice in breadcrumbs then saute them until golden brown for the perfect appetizer or addition [...]

I’m the first to admit that when I entertain, my focus is on the entree and dessert, with appetizers being a bit of an afterthought. I usually prepare, and I use the word “prepare” very loosely, a riveting cheese plate and my guacamole, whether it goes with the night’s Italian/Moroccan/Hungarian/Asian menu or not (I know, [...]

I wouldn’t go within 18 feet of a mushroom before the age of 20. Now, I can’t get enough of them. They’re delicious raw, irresistible when roasted and unbeatable when sauteed. So when I came across this mushroom appetizer on one of my favorite blogs, I was ecstatic to spruce it up and give it [...]

My fridge is stocked with endless sorts of meats and cheeses. The pantry is loaded with my favorite childhood snacks. The counter is overflowing with fresh fruit and homemade funfetti cake. Yep, my mom Noni must be visiting. I came home today to one of the most amazing spreads of sweet and savory tastes. It [...]

I’m not the type of person who turns to food for comfort, so I’ll spare you the Star Jones “food never judged me” speech. But this pizza was undeniably the result of a much needed emotional release. To me, that’s the beauty of cooking - it’s a welcome distraction in my mind, allowing me to [...]

I’d been dying to put my stash of refrigerated pie dough to use, and these finger-friendly appetizers featured in a recent issue of Cuisine at Home were the perfect solution. I spiced up the mix of sweet corn and bacon with roasted chilies that I charred over an open flame. You can prepare the [...]

Bruschetta is a great appetizer for summer months and can be made with any combination of healthy fruits and vegetables. I’ve topped these garlic-rubbed whole wheat toasts with marinated artichokes, mushrooms and tomatoes. A touch of Parmesan cheese rounds out this flavorful mixture, which is packed full of low fat, low calorie ingredients. Mushrooms provide [...]

Low carb doesn’t have to mean low flavor. An overnight marinade ensures a pungent punch of fresh ginger, garlic and soy sauce in these Asian Beef Lettuce Cups. And all that flavor means there’s no need for high-sugar, high-calorie dipping sauces. A touch of honey carmelizes the meat, while crisp lettuce, carrots and scallions add [...]