Appetizers

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

Published on by carol lou

Looking for the perfect condiment to serve along side your turkey? Or are you looking for the perfect appetizer to serve over the holidays? Spiced Cranberry Chutney is perfect to have in your refrigerator and ready to serve. I am going to serve this as a condiment on a cheese board with brie cheese, manchego cheese and grapes.  Serve crackers along side and you have a quick, easy, delicious and beautiful appetizer or spice up  a turkey sandwich with a generous amount of chutney. This recipe is easy to prepare and can be refrigerated for 3 weeks and is always ready to serve.

spiced cranberry chutney

 

 

Spiced Cranberry Chutney
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Ingredients
  1. 1 14 oz. can whole berry cranberry sauce
  2. 1/2 cup raisins
  3. 1/2 cup apple, finely diced and peeled
  4. 1/4 cup sugar
  5. 1/4 cup cider vinegar
  6. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  7. 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  8. 1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally until apples are tender and the chutney has thickened slightly, approximately 30 minutes.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Goat Cheese Appetizer with Vegetables

Published on by carol lou

I am a fan of goat cheese and use it every chance I get on salads, pizzas, main dishes and appetizers.  This appetizer is a real winner!  Warm goat cheese topped with vegetables and served on plain water crackers.  Get the cocktails ready – it is time to party!

Goat Cheese Appetizer

Goat Cheese Appetizer with Vegetables
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Ingredients
  1. 1 goat cheese log
  2. Extra virgin olive oil
  3. Sea Salt
  4. Fresh cracked pepper
  5. 1 clove of garlic, minced
  6. 1 cup mushrooms, chopped (I use Baby Bella mushrooms)
  7. 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, minced
  8. Sundried tomatoes in oil, slivered
  9. Fresh baby spinach
  10. Grape tomatoes, halved
  11. Fresh basil leaves, chopped
  12. 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place goat cheese log on a serving platter and place in oven for approx. 20 minutes or until warmed through.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring balsamic vinegar to a boil and reduce until it reaches a syrup like consistency, about 3 - 5 minutes.
  3. In a medium saucepan, heat a few tablespoons of olive oil, add chopped mushrooms, season with salt, pepper and rosemary: sear until brown.
  4. Turn heat down and add the sundried tomatoes and minced garlic. Add a couple of handfuls of spinach and basil leaves and toss with tongs until wilted. Add grape tomato halves and warm for 2 minutes.
  5. Remove cheese from oven, top with spinach mixture. Drizzle with olive oil, reduced balsamic vinegar and a little reserved oil from sundried tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with plain crackers or crostini.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Smoked Salmon Dip

Published on by carol lou

This summer when we were on our way to Kentucky and ready to hit the Bourbon Trail; our first stop was the Meridian Hotel in Indianapolis IN and their Spoke and Steel restaurant .  Our first course was their smoked salmon dip with potato chips.  When you remember what you ate after a few months, you know you really must of enjoyed it.  I recreated my version of the dip and I think I hit a home run with this recipe.  The fun part is to serve it with potato chips, a very unexpected accompaniment, but truly delicious.  The flavor of the smoked salmon is the star of this dip.

smoked salmon dip

 

Smoked Salmon Dip
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Ingredients
  1. 7 oz. smoked salmon,diced
  2. 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  3. 8 oz. sour cream
  4. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
  5. Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Mix together and refrigerate until serving.
Notes
  1. Serve with unsalted potato chips
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

My version of Pimento Cheese!

Published on by carol lou

I know that Pimento Cheese is a staple in the south and everyone has their own family recipe for Pimento Cheese.  I took the liberty of switching a few ingredients and adding a few to make this my version. Delicious served with crackers, a filling for an omelet or a topping for a grilled hamburger. 

pimento cheese

My Version of Pimento Cheese!
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Ingredients
  1. 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, I used 7 year cheddar (freshly grated is the best, much better than pre-grated cheese)
  2. 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
  3. 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  4. 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño
  5. 1/3 cup minced roasted red peppers
  6. Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
  1. Combine all in a medium bowl and mix well. Refrigerate.
  2. Great served on crackers or tortilla chips. Also wonderful to stir into eggs, add to an omelet or to top a grilled hamburger.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Pepperoni Puff

Published on by carol lou

 

I try to make everything from scratch, however, that is really not too practical.  There are times when I search out the most convenient items that allow me to assemble a quick dish.  Puff pastry is one of those items.  You will never find me making puff pastry from scratch!  That is one ingredient that I will always buy frozen.  I don’t think I could replicate this item any better than the puff pastry you find in the freezer section of the store.  Puff pastry is a great time saver to always have in the freezer.This Pepperoni Puff is terrific as an appetizer or for dinner with a salad.  Three ingredients and easy to make.  My type of recipe – quick, easy and delicious.  You can change the topping to anything you have on hand.  It is hard to beat how delicious this puff is with these three basic ingredients.

pepperoni puff

 

Pepperoni Puff
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Ingredients
  1. 1 sheet of frozen puff pastry, thawed
  2. 3 cups Pepper Jack cheese, grated
  3. 4 - 6 oz. sliced pepperoni (I used the large sliced Applegate natural, uncured pepperoni)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425.
  2. Roll out the pastry into a 14-inch circle or rectangle and place on a cookie sheet. Pinch the pastry together around the edges to form a rim to hold in the cheese. Sprinkle the pastry thickly with the cheese, top with the pepperoni.
  3. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until the crust is puffed and golden and the cheese is bubbly. Cool for 5 minutes prior to cutting.
Notes
  1. If you want a more uniform finished puff, substitute the large sliced pepperoni for the small sliced pepperoni.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Skewered Shrimp with Chipolte Adobe Sauce

Published on by carol lou

When we were traveling in Wisconsin last weekend, during the Memorial Day Holiday, we had a fantastic shrimp appetizer at one of our favorite restaurants..  We were eating at the Red Eye Brewing Company in Wausau, WI.  On the appetizer menu they had skewered shrimp with aioli.  Let’s just say it was perfect and we all commented on how great it was.   As I always do when I find a dish that I want to recreate at home, I took a photo, enjoyed the wonderful meal and headed home with a great recipe inspiration.  Instead of serving these with aioli, I thought a chipotle dip with seasoned shrimp would be my take on this recipe.  This is one of the best new creations I have made – I think you will agree.  Six ingredients and sensational flavor – easy and delicious!

skewered shrimp

Skewered Shrimp with Chipolte Adobo Sauce
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Ingredients
  1. Raw jumbo shrimp, peeled and deveined, tail on
  2. Bamboo skewers, soaked in water
  3. Garlic salt
  4. Cumin
  5. Chili Powder
  6. Chipolte Sauce
  7. 3/4 cup sour cream
  8. 2 chipotle peppers in adobe sauce, chopped
Instructions
  1. Thread each skewer with one shrimp - refer to photo
  2. Lightly dust the shrimp with garlic salt, cumin and chili powder.
  3. Prepare sauce by combining sour cream and chipotle peppers - refrigerate until serving. If you like a sauce with more kick - add an additional pepper.
  4. Grill the shrimp over medium hot coals approx. 2- 3 minutes per side, until they are no longer opaque, do not overcook or they will be tough.
  5. Serve the shrimp with the chipotle sauce.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Warm Goat Cheese Appetizer

Published on by carol lou

This appetizer highlights the warm goat cheese layer that supports the pepper and fennel topping.  Perfect make ahead appetizer that you bake ten minutes prior to serving.  Perfect accompaniment for an outdoor party with a marvelous glass of wine.  That is my type of entertaining!

warm goat cheese appetizer

Warm Goat Cheese Appetizer
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Ingredients
  1. I small fennel bulb, thinly chopped
  2. 3 assorted color bell peppers, thinly sliced
  3. 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
  4. 1 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  5. Salt and pepper, to taste
  6. 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  7. 2 tablespoons olive oil
  8. 1 log of goat cheese
  9. 2 tablespoons pine nuts
  10. Crackers for serving
Instructions
  1. Slice goat cheese and place in a small ovenproof baking dish. Press goat cheese to cover bottom of dish.
  2. In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil. Add the fennel, peppers, rosemary, basil, salt and pepper and cook over medium high heat for 5 minutes, Stir frequently. Remove from heat and add balsamic vinegar. Spoon over goat cheese. Top with pine nuts. Bake 350 for 10 minutes.
  3. Serve with crackers.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Creamy Crab Dip

Published on by carol lou

I have to admit that Crab Dip is a real family favorite and one that we usually order when it is on a menu.    Our daughter was in town this past weekend and I know that Crab Dip is one of her favorites.  I purchased one pound of jumbo lump crab from Louisiana (I am a real believer of USA produced seafood and always look for seafood products with the USA label) and mixed it with the following ingredients.  It was just delicious; we served it with wine she brought from Argentina when she was visiting vineyards in Mendoza. It was just a wonderful evening, very relaxing, just what we needed after we took a Segway tour of DC. I even have enough Crab Dip left to toss with pasta for my second round of crab.  I call these recipes Take2 – another recipe using the leftovers, as good as the first!

  creamy crab dip 2

Creamy Crab Dip
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound jumbo lump crabmeat
  2. 3/4 cup sour cream
  3. 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  4. 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  5. 3/4 teaspoon dry mustard
  6. 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  7. 1/2 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
  8. 2 teaspoons Old Bay Seasoning
  9. I tablespoons Italian parsley, chopped for garnish
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 325
  2. Mix all of the ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Spread evenly in a lightly greased baking dish. Sprinkle the top with additional Old Bay Seasoning. Bake 30 minutes or until hot and bubbly. Sprinkle with Italian parsley.
  3. Serve with baguette slices, crackers, or tortilla chips.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/
 

Kalamata Caramelized Onion Tart

Published on by carol lou

We recently visited a Greek restaurant when we were in Chapel Hill, NC.  I automatically thought of the Greek olive oil I purchased from Spartan Oil a few weeks ago.  I decided to create a tart that highlighted the oil with kalamata olives, feta cheese, caramelized onions and pine nuts.  The results were wonderful; the bold flavor of the oil both in the crust and in the topping certainly made me feel I was back in that Greek restaurant.

onion tart 3

 

Kalamata Caramelized Onion Tart
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Ingredients
  1. Crust
  2. 2 cups flour
  3. 2 teaspoons baking powder
  4. 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  5. 3/4 cup milk
  6. 1/4 cup Greek olive oil
  7. Topping
  8. 2 red onions, thinly sliced
  9. 3 tablespoons Greek olive oil
  10. 1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  11. 1 teaspoon sugar
  12. 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
  13. 1/2 cup Klamath olives, pitted and chopped
  14. 1/4 cup pine nuts
  15. Additional olive oil drizzling over tart
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 425
  2. Heat a heavy skillet over medium high heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil. Add onions and cook stirring frequently over medium heat for 10 minutes. Add thyme leaves, salt and pepper, and sugar. Reduce heat to medium low and cook onions, stirring occasionally, an additional 20 minutes until brown and caramelized.
  3. Prepare crust - in a large bowl combine flour, baking powder and salt. Stir in milk and olive oil and mix until combined. Turn out onto a floured board and kneed until combined and smooth. Roll or press until dough is approx. 1/4 inch thin on a lightly greased baking sheet.
  4. Top with onions, olives, pine nuts and cheese. Drizzle lightly with additional oil.
  5. Bake for approx. 20 minutes until crust is golden brown.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/

Panko Parmesan Shrimp Appetizer

Published on by carol lou

What to do with one pound of shrimp and only thirty minutes?  That was my thought the other night when friends called at the last minute to come for dinner and I had one pound of shrimp in the refrigerator.  I quickly said “I’ll bring the appetizer”, the pressure was on.  We were leaving in thirty minutes for their house;  The following dish I put together with what I had on hand.  Let’s just say the dish was ‘licked clean’.  The combination of butter, garlic, shrimp and the crunchy topping was a show-stopper.

 Parmesan Panko Shrimp

 

Panko Parmesan Shrimp Appetizer
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Ingredients
  1. 1 pound of shrimp, peeled and deveined
  2. 3/4 cup butter
  3. 1 clove of garlic, minced
  4. 1/3 cup white wine
  5. 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  6. 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
  7. 1/3 cup grated parmesan
  8. 1 tablespoon chopped parsley (fresh or dried)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Steam shrimp just until pink - do not overcook
  3. Put butter, garlic, wine, and red pepper flakes in a small casserole and put in the oven. Once the butter has melted, stir and add shrimp. Combine panko, parmesan and parsley. Spoon over the top of the shrimp. Bake 12 minutes. Broil until golden brown. Serve hot.
A Passion for Entertaining https://apassionforentertaining.com/