These delectable blue cheese “cakes” puff up like light miniature soufflés while baking and settle back into the ramekin as they cool. Serve on a bed of lightly dressed baby greens with a generous dollop of the sweet, tangy onion pear relish for a light luncheon or as an appetizer. INGREDIENTS: 1 3/4 lb. cream...Read More
This dish was inspired by a small plate that a chef sent out one hot night almost thirty years ago. It was one of those things where the chef was being thrifty, but I would have paid gladly for this great combination of cool crunch and silky, nutty-flavored sauce. As it was, the waitress brought...Read More
Most people think of hummus made with chickpeas, but this version using chestnuts is equally delicious! INGREDIENTS: 10 oz roasted chestnuts 1/2 cup tahini paste 1 large garlic clove 1/2-1 cup water Juice of 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt and pepper, to taste Pita chips METHOD: Place...Read More
Somewhere between an appetizer and a dessert, cheese date balls are delicious served with sherry, port, or dessert wine. INGREDIENTS: 1 8 oz. package cream cheese, slightly softened 1 tablespoon milk 1/2 cup finely chopped dates 1/2 cup finely chopped walnuts Extra finely chopped nuts for rolling METHOD: In a food processor mixing bowl, mix...Read More
Much like a Tom Kha soup, this dish is a great way to cook mussels in a wok and take them to your backyard table for a crowd to share. Great with pilsner-style beer or crisp white wines, this is a great appetizer for a casual crowd to share right out of the wok, soaking...Read More
Here is my version of this Lebanese eggplant dish. The tricks are to use a good qualityolive oil, fresh eggplant so the dish is not bitter, and grill the eggplant for a nice charred, smokey flavor. If you can’t grill use the broiler, but lower the rack so the eggplant has time to take on...Read More
This recipe uses only three ingredients that are transformed into a “wow factor” appetizer in less than 10 minutes. INGREDIENTS: 1 tablespoon avocado oil and more, as needed (do not use olive oil — it will smoke) 16 spears fresh asparagus, washed, dried, and trimmed 16 slices prosciutto* METHOD: Preheat the broiler to high. Adjust...Read More
This appetizer is full of late-summer flavors and is wonderful served with a glass of wine on a warm evening. Feel free to use several varieties and colors of cherry tomatoes. INGREDIENTS: 1 (8-ounce) block feta cheese 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 2 cloves garlic, roughly chopped 11 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved Scant 1/4...Read More
This zippy salsa is great with corn chips or as a topping for grilled chicken. It can also be used as a vegetarian taco filling. INGREDIENTS: 2 ears corn on the cob, husks, and silk removed 2 tomatoes, chopped 2 avocados, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes 1/2 bunch cilantro, stems removed and leaves chopped...Read More
