Originally published February 2014. Updated November 2017 by Analida Mushroom tapas are cooked to tender perfection with onions and garlic, and then served on a crusty bread. Are you convinced yet? Did you know that Pennsylvania is the mushroom capital of the US? Yes, apart from being the sultans of snow we are also apparently…
Appetizers
I consider appetizers a food group. I know this is by no means accurate, but there is so much to choose from. Usually on Friday nights my husband and I have appetizers for dinner. This is a tradition we established since our kids were little. They both enjoyed helping to prepare "dinner", and they also chose something to add to the feast.
My best friend who moved away a number of years ago used to throw the BEST appetizer parties. Better yet, she would usually send us home with a big care package. BONUS. There is another couple who still lives in town who happen to also throw amazing appetizer parties.
This section has a great offering of both cold and warm foods. I personally like a selection of both when I am putting together a party. I did include one of my all time faves: empanadas!
Read though this list, and let me know if you have a favorite that you would like to see added.
Traditional Irish Brown Bread
Originally published March 2015. Updated October 2018 by Analida Irish Brown Bread is as typical as a pint of Guinness. It is a close cousin, or stepbrother to the Irish soda bread made with white flour. Although today both are equally popular, brown bread was initially more common because white flour was more expensive. People…
Spanish Style Shrimp Tapas
Originally published March 2014. Updated September 2018 by Analida. Shrimp and other seafood tapas are extremely popular throughout Spain, given their coastline. This tapa is the Spanish twist on shrimp scampi. Theres more than one way to shrimp tapas! Shrimp tapas come in many varieties. I’ve chosen a simple yet delicious preparation that works well…
Authentic Tortilla Espanola – Spanish Potato Pie
Originally published January 2014. Updated September 2018 by Analida. Tortilla Espanola is a simple, delicious dish to enjoy as a main or appetizer. In Spain, it’s a tapas staple (appetizer). At home, we enjoy it with salad greens. Tortilla Espanola consists of 4 basic ingredients: potatoes, onions, eggs and olive oil. Salt and pepper are added to…
Garbanzo Beans with Tomatoes and Onions
Originally published February 2014. Updated August 2018 by Analida. Garbanzo beans with tomatoes and onions is a simple yet delicious tapas dish. The delicate flavors of the onion and tomato along with soft creamy garbanzo when cooked is something you must experience with your appetizer happy hour. It is hard to believe that this funny…
Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
Originally published June 2015. Updated August 2018 by Analida. A delicious twist on the fish original. This Latin American appetizer is a party classic and oh so easy. Chop, mix done! What are you waiting for? Go make some ceviche, and don’t forget that nice cold beer to wash it down with. The origins of…
Blender Salsa Verde with Mango
Originally published April 2016. Updated August 2018 by Analida. Here is a sweet, spicy, tangy quick and easy blender salsa for your next party! Read on and you’ll be eating this about 20 minutes. I was recently compensated with an amazing product from Ovente which I used in preparing this mango tomatillo salsa. All the opinions…
Mango Black Bean Salsa Recipe
Mango Black Bean Salsa is what I would call Fusion cuisine. It is neither Latin American or Caribbean, however, it utilizes ingredients that are native to that cuisine. Mango Black Bean Salsa works well as an appetizer, as a side dish, or even a relish. Mangoes have the natural advantage of being extremely nutritious. They…
Spanish Style Grilled Marinated Pork
This Spanish style grilled marinated pork or prueba de cerdo recipe has a bit of kick, but not too much to intimidate those who prefer a milder taste. It is a hearty tapas dish to say the least. The smoky flavor of the paprika and the crushed red pepper combine to awaken your taste buds!…
Vietnamese Sweet and Sour Mango Salad
I recently tried Vietnamese sweet and sour mango salad at a dinner put on by students in the Culinary Arts program at Mercyhurst University. This is the school where I work; and which happens to have a great culinary program from which my son is a graduate. My husband, mother in law and I went….
Spicy Beef Puff Pastries – Pastelitos de Carne
Aah! Soft, flaky, mouthwatering puff pastry. Just the mention of this heavenly carbohydrate makes me close my eyes and dream of the endless possibilities, like spicy beef puff pastry appetizers, for example. Pastelitos de carne, as they are called in Latin America, are without a doubt one of my favorite snacks. My family loves them too! You…
Yuca Fritters – Carimañolas
So, here’s another yuca recipe that happens to be one of my favorites: yuca fritters – carimañolas. But, before I go on, the correct pronunciation for this tasty tuber is you-kah, not yuck-ah(yucca). One is a root vegetable, the other a desert plant. Two similar spellings? Yes! This is where the similarities end. Botanically they…
Avocado, Mango, Queso Fresco Toast Recipe
This quick and easy Avocado, Mango, Queso Fresco Toast Recipe came about all of a sudden. I was trying to experiment with some ingredients I had on hand. Really, I was going for color, texture, and flavor contrasts. This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias Inc., and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone….
Hummus Made With Greek Yogurt Recipe
Every Middle Eastern country seems to have their own special hummus recipe. There is some argument among food historians whether this dish originated in Greece or Arabia. Hummus is easy to make and takes only a few minutes. If you have a food processor, you can make hummus. I especially love my hummus topped with…
Kofta Kari – Lamb Meatballs in Spicy Curry Sauce
Today I bring you Kofta Kari, a dish from the Indian subcontinent. It is spicy, tasty, rich and oh so easy to make. Better yet, it can be served as a main dish or as an appetizer. I absolutely love it when a dish has multiple personalities, don’t you? Kofta Kari is a traditional meat…
