Posts under ‘Appetizers’

As a California girl at heart, I will find any excuse to enjoy homemade guacamole. This time I’ve put a spin on my traditional guac by serving it up as the centerpiece in this simply delicious bruschetta recipe. And how can you go wrong with this arsenal of flavor-packet ingredients? The crunchy French bread serves [...]

Salsa cruda, or uncooked salsa, is one of the easiest appetizers and toppings to make. My recipe, while traditional in appearance, includes the uncommon addition of brown sugar. The slight touch of sweetness balances out the acidity of the tomatoes while pairing well with the spicy kick of the jalapeño. Replace boring tortilla chips with [...]

Roasting your own nuts is incredibly easy and gives you the freedom to customize them with your favorite flavors. The brown sugar in my recipe carmelizes the nuts while the cayenne pepper adds a little heat to this protein-packed appetizer. Serve the nuts during a cocktail hour or take a small bag of them [...]

These fresh spring rolls are a great “detox” from heavy holiday fare. The fresh roll recipe was inspired by my friend over at PeanutButterMilk, who introduced me to cooking with rice paper (it’s easier then you think!). This Tyler Florence peanut sauce recipe is my go-to Thai favorite. The best part is that you can [...]

My aunt introduced me to this amazing recipe during our recent Thanksgiving potluck, and it quickly became the star appetizer for the evening. This salsa-like dip is great served with chips, and can also be used in salads or atop grilled chicken and fish. I’ve tweaked the marinade proportions slightly to lessen the sugar load [...]

Few appetizers can top this killer combination of garlic, three kinds of cheese and artichoke hearts. It’s creamy, warm and can be prepped a night in advance. What’s not to love? If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a metal spoon to combine the cheeses and finely chop the artichoke hearts and [...]

This recipe is a quick-to-impress hot appetizer that is full of flavor and easy to prepare. You can use plain curry powder or add an extra punch of flavor by including a teaspoon of lemongrass or saffron. The intensely bright color of this dish matches the bold flavor, but if you’re not a fan of [...]

This recipe was originally created by Esther Katrenics, a devoted chef and long-time friend of my grandmother. Veggie Bars are one of several “must have” dishes at every Carberry Family gathering, and while hand-chopped veggies add a personal touch, there is no shame in cheating a little with a food processor. I have substituted light [...]