Dolmas, from the Turkish verb “to stuff”, are the culinary legacy of the mighty Ottoman Empire. Dolmas form part of the meze or hors d’oeuvres menu of the eastern Mediterranean. Dolmas everywhere! The precursor to dolmas is thought to be the Greek thrion” a fig leaf stuffed with sweetened cheese. Dolmas can be found in…
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.
Mini Beef Empanadas – Savory Turnovers
Empanadas are savory turnovers common throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. Every country has their own variation of seasonings and ingredients adapted of course to regional taste and culinary traditions. In Spanish, the word empanada literally means breaded. The Spanish word for bread is pan, hence empanada. Baked or fried? Empanadas can be fried or…
Marvelous Memorial Day Recipes
Yikes, picnic season is here without any warning other than the calendar telling us it’s here. To make your life easier, I’ve come up with some marvelous Memorial Day recipes. They’re really good for any picnic that lies in your future. As always, there’s something for everyone. Let’s start with dessert, why not? I…
Tilapia Ceviche Recipe
Ceviche is a tangy, tart, and bursting with flavor appetizer of Central and South America. Tender whitefish is “cooked” in lime juice and then served with salty pastry cups. Your tastebuds will sing. Ceviche is a dish typical of Central and South America. Its origins are highly disputed among various Central and South American countries….
How to Make Perfect Queso Fresco
Making perfect queso fresco is easier than you think. You don’t need special equipment or hard to obtain ingredients. You need milk, vinegar, and salt. That’s it? Yup, that’s it! Well you will need cheesecloth, but that’s not really an ingredient. You will also need a good digital thermometer for accurate reading. So, let’s make some…
Spicy Thai Style Lettuce Wraps
Lettuce wraps are a great summer meal. Light, crunchy, and delicious. This is the kind of dish you crave when the mercury rises and heavy foods are out of the question. For those who are looking to curb the dreaded carbs, they are perfect. What’s a lettuce wrap anyways? I first tried lettuce wraps years…
Guinness and Cheddar Fondue
You can make this Guinness and Cheddar cheese fondue recipe with a few simple ingredients. It is the perfect addition to a Friday night among friends or your next appetizer party. Warm and delicious! It’s a crowd pleaser Guinness and Cheddar Fondue went over really well at a party!! Every year one of the guys…
Spanish Tapas – Mushrooms in Sherry Sauce
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 the monarchs of mushrooms! Mushrooms are grown in former…
Traditional Irish Brown Bread
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 with less resources favored brown bread since it cost…
Spanish Style Shrimp Tapas
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 as a tapas dish or paired with rice or…
Authentic Tortilla Espanola – Spanish Potato Pie
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 taste. As far as the origins are concerned, my…
Garbanzo Beans with Tomatoes and Onions
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 little legume packs such a flavor and nutritional punch….
Fast and Easy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe
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 ceviche are as confusing as its multiple spellings. In…
Blender Salsa Verde with Mango
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 presented in this post are my own. This multi…
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…
