March 7th, 2010
Tonight’s the night. I am looking forward to seeing Meryl Streep take the Oscar for her outstanding performance in “Julie & Julia”. I have shared with you a few of Julia’s recipes that can be used as hors d’oeuvres this weekend in the hopes that will serve them at your Oscar Party tonight.
This recipe is a delicious gratin that can be divided into ramekins for serving as an hors d’oeuvres. The ramekins will sit lovely on the side of your guests dish of delectable nibbles.
Ingredients:
2/3 c. minced onions
2 Tbsp. butter
1/2 lb. diced raw potatoes (about 2 c.)
8 to 10 anchovy filet packed in olive oil
3 eggs, beaten with 1 1/2 c. whipping cream, 1/2 tsp. salt and 1/8 tsp. pepper
1/4 c. grated Swiss cheese
1 Tbsp. oil from anchovy can or butter
Preheat oven to 375. Cook the onions slowly in butter for 5 minutes or until tender but not browned. Drop potatoes in boiling salt water and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, or until barely done. Drain thoroughly. Butter the baking dish (or dishes if you are using ramekins). Spread half the potatoes in the bottom, then half the cooked onions. Over them lay the anchovy filets, then the rest of the onions and finally the remaining potatoes. Pour the eggs and cream over the potatoes and shake dish to send liquid to bottom. Spread on the cheese. Dribble on the oil, or dot with the butter. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes (if using ramekins 20 to 30) in upper third of oven until top is nicely browned.
If you make this as a small bite, your guests will be impressed to have such a flavorful gratin in their own serving dish. I promise. Good luck Meryl!
xo–me
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: hors d'oeuvres, Julia Child. | #
March 6th, 2010
In honor of what I hope to be Ms. Meryl Streep’s winning weekend at the Oscar’s, I am going to share a few hors d’oeuvres from “The Art of French Cooking” by Julia Child. You can create these easy dishes for your Oscar Party tomorrow evening in honor of “Julie & Julia”.
Ingredients:
1/2 lb. Roquefort or blue cheese
4 to 6 Tbsp. softened butter
1 1/2 Tbsp. chives
1 Tbsp. finely minced celery
pinch of cayenne pepper
salt if needed
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. cognac or a few drops of Worcestershire sauce
1/2 c. fine, stale, white breadcrumbs
2 Tbsp. finely minced parsley
Crush the cheese in a bowl with 4 Tbsp. butter and work it into a smooth paste. Beat in the chives, celery, seasonings and cognac or Worcestershire. If mixture is very stiff, beat in more butter by fractions. Check seasoning carefully. Roll into balls about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Toss bread crumbs and parsley in a plate. Roll the cheese balls in the mixture so they are well covered. Chill. Serve with your prettiest toothpicks (those are my words, not Julia’s).
The English translation of this is Roquefort Cheese Balls-cold. These are a pungent burst of flavor in your mouth. Enjoy!
xo–me
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: cheese, hors d'oeuvres, Julia Child. | #
February 20th, 2010
Got your attention with that title, didn’t I? As we continue our march through the week of citrus recipes, I had to include this one. It’s simple and a hit when watching any sporting event.
Ingredients:
1 package turkey wieners
2/3 c. fresh squeezed orange juice
1/4 c. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. cornstarch
1 Tbsp. butter
Cut wieners into 1-inch pieces. In medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together orange juice, syrup and cornstarch. Cook and stir until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in butter until melted. Finally add wieners and cook about 5 minutes until heated through. Serve immediately on the end of tooth picks.
This is also a great recipe for an after-school snack, card night or a rainy afternoon watching movies.
xo–me
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: easy, fruit, hors d'oeuvres. | #
February 16th, 2010
I can’t help but pine for all things lobster, crab and shrimp. As you know by now, I am highly allergic and haven’t always been. If one has had something and it’s taken away, one knows what one misses. However, if one never had the taste, it would never be missed. I miss those creatures of the sea that make their life inside a shell.
This recipe came from a Williams-Sonoma cookbook. It sounds flavorful and the girls in my life who have tasted it at my ‘girl parties’ of yesteryear have delighted in it. It looks gorgeous in a giant, over-sized martini glass in the center of your table.
Ingredients:
1/4 lb. freshly cooked lobster meat
1 large ripe avocado
I large red grapefruit (sometimes I use a blood orange)
1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
1 Tbsp. fresh chives
seat salt
Cut or tear the lobster into small bites. Halve, pit and chop into small pieces the avocado. Set aside.
In a new bowl, peel the grapefruit and allow each section to come apart. Allow any juices to fall into bowl as well.
Separately, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and chives to make a dressing. Season to taste with salt. Add the lobster and avocado to the bowl with the grapefruit. Drizzle with the dressing and toss to coat evenly. Serve immediately in the fanciest pedestal display piece you have.
If your grapefruit pieces are too large to be eaten in one bite, I will cut each section in half (thus releasing more juices into the bowl!). You can also double or triple this recipe for an outstanding lobster salad for your summertime BBQ.
xo–me
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: fruit, hors d'oeuvres, seafood, vegetarian. | #
February 7th, 2010
It’s here! Thee most important day of the entire football season–Super Bowl Sunday. If you are having people over or going to a friend’s home and need to bring something, I hope you will find a great recipe here to share with your loved ones.
Today’s recipe can be swapped for spareribs if you have a chicken wing recipe you love. We all know that no Super Bowl party is complete without wings. You could use your recipe and mine to showcase two entirely different flavors of wings.
Ingredients:
1 10-oz. jar plum preserves
1/3 c. dark corn syrup
1/3 c. soy sauce
1/4 c. chopped green onions
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. ginger
2 1/2 lbs. chicken wings, separated at the joints
In saucepan, combine preserves, corn syrup, soy, onions, garlic and ginger. Stir constantly while you cook until melted and liquid. our into 11 x 7 baking dish. Add wings and turn to coat entirely. Cover and refrigerate overnight, turning once. (If you don’t have overnight, you can reduce it to several hours). After marinated, remove from pan and place on a baking sheet. Bake at preheated 350 oven for 45 minutes, basting with marinade throughout baking time.
If you want to make chicken bites, follow the same recipe only baking for only 30 minutes.
xo–me
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: hors d'oeuvres, snacks. | #
February 6th, 2010
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
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: hors d'oeuvres, snacks. | #
January 24th, 2010
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
No Comments | In: Cooking | tags: cheese, hors d'oeuvres, snacks. | #
