Category: Appetizers

Tomato-Goat Cheese Bruschetta


Recipe courtesy of one my favorites, Betty Crocker

Organic tomatoes, goat cheese and thyme are the signature flavors of this classic Italian recipe.

Ingredients

  • 2 logs (4 oz each) soft goat cheese, cut into 8 (1 inch) slices
  • 1 can* (14.5 oz) organic, diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pitted kalamata olives
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped
  • 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 24 slices (1/2 inch thick) baguette (about 8 oz), toasted

Directions

  1. Heat over to 350F.
  2. In ungreased, 1-quart shallow ovenproof dish, place cheese in a single layer.
  3. Sprinkle tomatoes, olives, thyme leaves and pepper flakes over cheese.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil.
  5. Bake 15-20 minutes or until warm and serve with baguette slices.

*Unlike fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes contain more nutrients and lycopene because they are pre-cooked, which enhances their nutritional content.

Skewered – A New Take on The Caprese Salad


Here’s an easy, colorful, delicious appetizer that’s perfect for summer gatherings and sure to please.

Ingredients

  • Small skewers or long tooth picks
  • Bocconcino (aka mozzarella balls, can be purchased either plain or in herb-flavored oil)
  • Cherry or grape tomatoes
  • Fresh basil
  • Olive oil
  • Balsamic vinegar
  • Salt & pepper
  • Kalamata olives (optional)

Directions

  1. If using skewers, soak them in water for approximately 1 hour.
  2. Simply place one tomato, a folded piece of basil, one bocconcino, another piece of basil and a kalamata olive on a skewer or toothpick. Repeat.
  3. Drizzle with a little olive and balsamic and a dash of salt & pepper.

Voila… a portable caprese salad!

Popovers aka Yorkshire Pudding


These light and airy bread treats have been a favorite of mine for a long time. I really REALLY LOVE them! But be warned, you will have a hard time just eating one!

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk, room temperature or heat in microwave for 30 seconds
  • 2 eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted
  • 1 tbsp butter, chilled

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425 F.
  2. Spray a popover or muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.
  3. Place pan on center rack of oven and preheat for 2 minutes.
  4. Lightly blend flour, salt, eggs, milk, and melted butter until it looks like heavy cream, about 1 to 2 minutes, do not overbeat.
  5. Cut chilled butter into 12 small, even pieces. Place 1 piece of butter in each cup and place pan back in oven until butter is melted (about 1 minute).
  6. Fill each cup half full with batter and bake 20 minutes (no peeking… don’t open the door to check on them).
  7.  Reduce heat to 325 F and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes.
  8. Immediately remove from pan.
  9. Serve piping hot with honey butter (see below for recipe), regular butter or jam.

Honey Butter

3/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup honey
Mix together until smooth and place in an airtight container in the fridge.

Canapes of Smoked Salmon


I catered a charity art event in Beverly Hills and had to come up with some “crowd-appropriate” hors d’oeuvres. This dish went over incredibly well and there wasn’t one left (out of the 200 prepared). It does take some time (and patience) to put these together, but the presentation is lovely and your guests will be impressed.

 

Ingredients

  • 1 pkg smoked salmon, thinly sliced
  • 1 carton of creme fraiche
  • 1 box cheddar & asiago cheesecrisps (John Wm Macy’s)
  • 1 jar of caviar
  • Fresh chives, sliced to 1 inch in length

Directions

  1. Set your cheesecrisps on a plate or tray.
  2. Cut up salmon into thin strips (see pic) then place on top of crisps.
  3. Put a dollop of the creme fraiche on top of the salmon. I used a decorator bag with a small, round tip. Alternatively, you can use a ziplock bag and cut off the corner so there is just a very small opening.
  4. Add a small amount of the caviar on top of the creme fraiche with a toothpick.
  5. Top off with a sliver of the chives.

Voila… you have an easy (no cooking) and beautiful appetizer.

Holy Guacamole!


Love guacamole? Me, too! Here is an easy, but tasty dish you can whip together in about 10 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 3 avocados – peeled, pitted & mashed
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
  • 2 plum tomatoes, diced
  • 1 tsp minced garlic
  • A pinch of cayenne pepper
  • 1 to 3 chopped serrano chiles (optional)

Directions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix together the avocados, lime juice and salt – mash well.
  2. Add in the onion, cilantro, tomatoes, garlic and cayenne pepper.
  3. Best to refrigerate for 1 hour, but can be served immediately.

 Avocado tips:

Use Hass avocados, the brown, wrinkly kind, for guacamole. They’re especially rich & creamy. Buy avocadoes that are slightly soft, but not squishy. Ripen in a paper bag with a banana or an apple at room temperature. Store ripe avocados in the fridge for 2 or 3 days.