Croquetas de Jamon y Pollo (ham and chicken croquettes) are a delicious Spanish tapa dish found in most bars in Spain. And yes, every bar you visit will claim they have the best croquetas in town! Loosely translated the word croqueta has the element of crunch in it (from the French croquer), and that is…
Appetizers
I consider appetizers a food group. I know this is by no means accurate, but there are so many 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. Were they healthy appetizers? Hmm not always.
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 holiday 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 easy appetizers for 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.
Avocado, Black Beans, Queso Fresco Empanadas
When it comes to food for parties, avocados are top. Especially when they are in vegetarian empanadas. Soft, creamy, buttery. Avocados are king for so many reasons. They are evergreen, and can be used in so many recipes from salads to desserts. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Desserts? Yes, but that’s the subject of anther post. My take on…
Wild Mushroom, Gruyere, Mini Quiches
How to make mini quiche: start with the best ingredients. There’s fungus among us! Wild fungus to be precise. Wild mushroom, Gruyere, mini quiches is another one of those personal food items that I love. I love mushrooms in any shape way or form. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Porcini Mushrooms When I was in college, a Swiss friend introduced me…
Chorizo in Wine Sauce
Chorizo: Spanish vs. Mexican. So what is chorizo? Is it taste, texture, smell? Well… how about all of the above. The word chorizo means sausage in Spanish. Pretty plain huh? Well, not really! Whether you choose the Mexican or the Spanish variety, they are both full of rich, robust flavors. So, let’s get back to…
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, hummus hummus is on your horizons. I especially love my hummus…
Lamb Kofta Kari – Meatballs in Spicy Curry Sauce
Today I bring you lamb 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 or kofta curry…
Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce
If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried green plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice! Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They can…
Dolmas- Stuffed Grape Leaves
Dolmas, from the Turkish verb “to stuff“, are the culinary legacy of the mighty Ottoman Empire. They form part of the meze or hors d’oeuvres menu of the eastern Mediterranean. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Dolmas history and background: The precursor to dolmas is thought to be the Greek thrion” a fig leaf stuffed with sweetened cheese. Dolmas can…
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. [feast_advanced_jump_to] In Spanish, the word empanada literally means breaded. The Spanish word for bread is pan, hence empanada. Baked or fried? Empanadas can be fried…
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
Tilapia 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. [feast_advanced_jump_to] Ceviche is a dish typical of Central and South America. Its origins are highly disputed among various Central and South American…
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. [feast_advanced_jump_to] What’s a lettuce wrap anyways? I first tried thai lettuce…
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? [feast_advanced_jump_to] 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…
