Search results for keyword(s): ‘snacks’

• Brie Bites

  Date: 2010.07.22 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  It is still 90+ in New York.  The heat makes it very hard to come home and whip up a meal each evening.  Yes, I am guilty of take-out more nights than I should but what’s a working girl to do in this weather?  I need to preserve myself!  With that said, I have been able to discover some small, flavorful snacks that I can make and present as the meal without making the entire apartment hotter than the sidewalk.

  This recipe is a modified version of a brie puff pastry I love to make at Thanksgiving.  You can make it for your next cocktail party or luncheon but I call it supper.

  Ingredients:

  1 package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
  1/4 c. apricot preserves (or your favorite preserve)
  1 5-inch brie round, cut into 32 pieces

  Preheat oven to 400.  Cut each puff pastry sheet into 16 squares.  Spread 1/2 tsp. preserves on each square.  Place cube of brie on top of preserves and fold over opposite edge.  Use tines of fork to seal completely.   Place on ungreased baking sheet and bake for 12 minutes or until pastry is golden brown.

  You can use multiple flavors of preserves to create a surprise for your guests or your other half.  I do this so when he asks what else is for dinner, I say “Why the other flavors, of course!”  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Jalapeno Black Bean Dip

  Date: 2010.02.06 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  I have been waiting for weeks for tomorrow to arrive–Super Bowl Sunday.  Not because I am a huge football follower, but because the other half is and his team has always been the Indianapolis Colts.  Each week I would sit here wondering if they would continue to win thus further stalling our Sunday open house visits.  Tomorrow is a game changer.  Next Sunday we will be attending every open house from Brooklyn to the Bronx!

  I have plenty of football viewing snack recipes on the site.  Search hors d’oevres or snacks and you will find plenty to share tomorrow at your party.  Today’s is a simple and very flavorful bean dip with just enough kick.

  Ingredients:

  1 16-oz. can black beans, drained and mashed
  1 c. shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar cheese
  1/3 c. mayo
  1 jalapeno pepper, finely chopped
  1/2 tsp. ground cumin
  1/2 tsp. chopped garlic or 1/4 tsp.garlic powder
  bag of tortilla chips
  bag of pretzel rods
  fresh veggies

  Preheat oven to 375.  In medium bowl, combine beans, 1/2 c. cheese, mayo, jalapeno, cumin and garlic.  Put into casserole and top with remaining cheese.  Bake uncovered 20 minutes or until heated.  Serve with chips, pretzels and veggies.

  I try to have most of the ingredients around the house in case I get unexpected company.  Since I rarely have a spare jalapeno pepper, I change it up with other spices I have around.  Changed the flavor slightly and makes for a great surprise.  Go Colts!

  xo–me

• Chili con Queso

  Date: 2010.01.24 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  It’s Championship round time for the NFL.  And if your home is anything like mine, it’s a house full of men either gathering around the TV looking for some grub or gathering in your home for a quick snack and drinks before they head out to a bar to watch the game.  Either way, you are going to need a few quick recipes that will produce some yummy and easy snacks for their big playoff appetites.

  This recipe of chili con queso is perfect for you to begin and the fellows to end.  Toss the ingredients together, turn on the crock pot and head to the spa!  I will meet you there.

  Ingredients:

  1 16-oz. pkg. pasteurized processed cheese spread, cubed
  1 10-oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles
  1 c. sliced green onions
  2 tsp. ground coriander
  2 tsp. ground cumin
  3/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
  2 bags of tortilla chips

  Combine all ingredients except the chips in slow cooker.  Cover and cook on low for 2 to 3 hours until bubbling hot.  Serve with tortilla chips.

  Now ladies.  Pause before you write me and say “Hey, I love football too.  This day isn’t just for the men!”  I realize that and enjoy the game myself.  But.  The opportunity to slip away for several hours without any responsibility while the TV babysits them, well, I can’t pass that up.  I will be the one passed out in the steam room.

  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Mom’s Shrimp Dip

  Date: 2010.01.18 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  Yesterday I was craving dips and snacks and anything I could simply graze upon for the afternoon.  Rainy, lazy Sunday afternoons will do that to you.  One dip in particular I wanted was my Mom’s shrimp dip.  As many of you have read, about 10 years ago I developed insane food allergies that require me to carry an epi-pen so I don’t stop breathing if I were to accidentally consume something I should not.  After years of enjoying crab, shrimp, lobster, mussels and all other shellfish, I had to suddenly give it up.  It’s the king killer.  Has brought me to the brink of death.  Anyway, yesterday I wanted mom’s shrimp dip with yummy butter crackers served in a pretty frosted glass bowl.  Instead of making it and spending the afternoon in the ER, I thought I would simply share it here and live vicariously through you.  It’s really that good.

  Ingredients:

  1 can shrimp (medium size)
  1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese
  1/2 tsp. lemon juice
  1/2 tsp. Worcestershire Sauce
  2 Tbsp. mayo
  1 Tbsp. shrimp juice (from the can)
  1 small onion (if you can’t find a small one, use half)

  Allow cream cheese to soften then combine with mayo and chopped onion.  Drain shrimp and chop into small pieces.  Add to mayo mixture along with the Worcestershire, lemon juice and shrimp juice.  Mix together well.  Chill for 30 minutes before serving.

  I enjoy it with butter crackers but you can serve it with pita chips or saltines or whatever you like.  It’s a quick dish that will be quick to disappear at your next party.  Enjoy!

  xo–me

• Crab Mini Pizzas

  Date: 2009.12.11 | Category: Baking | Response: 0

  Growing up, Nany would always have “nooks & crannies” for Garnet and I to have after church.  It would be a little snack as we waited for lunch.  She would put one in the toaster, slather it with butter and give each of us one half.  I remember the smell and the flavor of each bite.  I giggle today that we called it “nooks & crannies” like the commercial instead of Thomas English Muffins.

  The English muffin is a perfect foundation to a lot of snacks.  Peanut butter, jam, even chocolate and marshmallows top it very nicely.  This recipe is another of those ideal and quick creations.  Now we know I have never tasted it because of the crab allergy but several palates I trust implicitly have said it’s delicious.  It’s also good for a last minute meal if people stop by and you need to whip something up in a minute.  Or actual 5 in this case.

  Ingredients:

  6 to 8 oz. of fresh crab
  1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
  8-10 oz. shredded cheese (cheddar, parmesan, mozzarella, whatever you love)
  12 sourdough English muffins, halved

  Combine crab, butter and cheese in a small bowl.  Spread on muffin halves and place on ungreased baking sheet.  Place under broiler for 3 or 4 minutes until cheese has melted and is golden.  Serve immediately.

  This recipe can be altered with mushrooms in place of the crab.  I sometimes I toss in a ton of garlic in it as well.  Use your imagination and make a simple, yet divine hot muffin pizza for your next meal.

  xo–me

• Shrimp & Bacon Bites

  Date: 2009.12.10 | Category: Cooking, Entertaining | Response: 0

  It’s tree trimming time in many homes!  I love getting all the decorations out of the garage and opening each plastic bin one by one, discovering all the things I forgot I had.  It’s a lovely journey in my mind and heart that I enjoy sharing stories with family and friends.

  The tree trimming and house decorating day and night is a great excuse for a small, intimate cocktail party.  Put together a simple menu of snacks, cold and warm cocktail with some sweet at the end and you have a great night of food, friends and fun!  This recipe if easy and simple to make in advance and pop in the oven as people are hungry.

  Ingredients:

  2 dozen cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined
  1/2 clove garlic, thinly sliced
  1/2 c. chili sauce
  10 slices bacon, halved

  In small bowl, toss shrimp and garlic together.  Add chili sauce making sure all shrimp are covered.  Cover bowl and regrigerate for a few hours, tossing occasionally.  When ready to bake, wrap each shrimp in a bacon slice and secure with a toothpick.  Put on an ungreased baking sheet and bowl 3 to 4 inches from heat for 3 to 5 minutes until crisp.

  Make this dish with a cheeseball, a few other hot treats, something sweet and you are set!

  xo–me

• Snacks On Arrival

  Date: 2009.09.06 | Category: Cooking | Response: 0

  Are you ready for the final backyard BBQ of the season?  Do you need one last quick trip to the market?  Did you plan for someone to make an ice run for you in the middle of the day (assuming your freezer is already chock full of ice.)  One final thought for you before the big BBQ celebration tomorrow.  While people are arriving to your affair, many will have either not eaten because they thought they should wait for your delicious food or were in such a big hurry, simply forgot.  Since you will not be feeding them as soon as they walk in the door, it’s always thoughtful (and to your benefit to buy some time) to have snacks around.  They don’t have to be super fancy nor over involved.  Just a few snacks to compliment the drinks and adds to the social atmosphere of the beginning of your affair.  Here are a handful of those kinds of recipes from a wonderful recipe book called Drinkology Eats.

  Garlic Popcorn:

  1 bag prepared microwaved popcorn
  1 Tbsp. butter
  1 Tbsp. olive oil
  3 cloves garlic, minced
  a few sprigs of fresh oregano
  3 Tbsp. Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely grated

  Melt the butter together with the oil in a small pan over low heat.  Add the garlic and oregano and saute until the garlic is just softened, about 2 minutes.  Transfer the popped corn to a large bowl and pour the butter mixture over it, tossing until well coated.  Sprinkle with cheese and serve.

  Spicy Parmesan Cheese Crisps:

  1/2 c. Parmigiano-Reggiano, finely shredded
  1/8 tsp. dried basil
  pinch black pepper
  pinch garlic powder
  dash ground cayenne pepper

  Preheat oven to 400.  Prepare a jelly-roll pan with a silicone liner, parchment paper or cooking spray.  In a  bowl, toss the grated cheese and spices until well mixed. Form 8 compact mounds of the cheese mixture on the baking sheet, spacing an inch apart and lightly pat down.  Bake for 3 to 6minutes, until golden and crisp.  Let cool before serving.  You can make these up to 3 days in advance and keep stored in an airtight container with paper towels between each.

  Stilton Mayo Dip:

  3 oz. crumbled Stilton
  1 c. mayo
  pinch freshly ground white pepper

  In a small bowl, mash the cheese with a fork.  Stir in the mayonnaise and white pepper and mix well.  Serve with some yummy chips.

  Add a bowl of candied cashews, green olives, sliced cheeses and you are set!  Again, it doesn’t and shouldn’t be too extravagant.  Just something that leads into the feast of the day.  Enjoy!

  xo–me