Growing up in Panama one of my favorite snack foods was spicy chicken puff pastries (pastelitos de pollo). The soft flaky pastry filled with bits of savory chicken pieces was such a treat, every time. Pastelitos de pollo are definitely street food, as well as very delicious. Ahh memories! Driving out to the countryside with my family,…
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.
Thai Style Chicken Wings
Thai style chicken wings add a cool ethnic flair to any summer picnic, or appetizer party. I know, grilled chicken wings are not exactly Thai fare, but they are a tasty way to enjoy this party staple. The inspiration for this chicken wings recipe comes from a restaurant near my house claiming to have the…
Avocado Chicken Sandwich
Avocados From Mexico are the perfect food! I just came up with this delicious avocado, chicken sandwich. An open face sandwich, just to be exact. Ah, the possibilities of sandwiches! The possibilities of avocados! Whole-grain bread topped with grilled chicken, sliced grape tomatoes, sliced avocados, topped with crumbled queso fresco, and sprinkled with lime juice…
Cinco de Mayo Party
Yikes Cinco de Mayo is like right on the doorstep. Are you having a party? Are you going to a party? Regardless, here are a few Cinco de Mayo party ideas to inspire you. Some of these treats are healthy, some are not! Just warning you. And just a little history lesson before the post….
Avocado, Shrimp, Grapefruit Tapas
I’ve created a recipe: Avocado tapas with shrimp and grapefruit. Ahh, avocados! One of my favorite things to eat. By the way, did you know that avocados are from Mexico? Yes, from Puebla to be exact. They go back to 10,000 B.C. I have to wonder when people discovered that they are for much more…
Sushi: Sacred Union of Land and Sea
There is no denying that sushi is a trending food . Today many restaurant menus and large supermarkets carry it. At my house it is a favorite. Even my son who is a picky eater loves sushi. Spicy shrimp, and California roll are his favorites. For the longest time I had been wanting to learn to make…
Spicy Turkish Meat Pastries
I love anything wrapped in a pastry; well, almost anything. Who doesn’t love a flaky, fluffy, buttery, melt in your mouth pastry enveloping a delicious sweet or savory filling? I don’t know anyone, do you? A school lesson Years ago when I was homeschooling my son, an experience I would like to bury deep in…
Ten Tasty Tapas
Tapas are the appetizers famous in Spanish cuisine, and which in recent have gained popularity in metropolitan areas around the country. The word “tapa” actually means lid in Spanish, and some say the word originated because the original tapa were slices of bread used by those sipping sherry to guard their glasses against fruit flies. Whether…
Ezme: Turkish Tomato and Pepper Salsa
What is ezme? Ezme is a Turkish tomato and pepper relish or salsa that is out of this world. Think of it as salsa’s Turkish cousin. I had one bite at a Turkish restaurant and I was in love. I vowed to replicate it at home so I could enjoy it anytime I wanted. So…
Fried Yuca Strips
Fried Yuca Strips are the Latin American french fry. Yuca is popular in Latin America, Africa and the Caribbean. These fried goodies make the perfect appetizer for your cocktail party or a side dish. So delicious, you’ll forget about potatoes for a minute. [feast_advanced_jump_to] It’s the third largest source of carbohydrates after corn. According to…
2 Minute Spicy Mango Pico de Gallo Salsa
Super Bowl Sunday is just around the corner! Are you hosting? Regardless, one of the great traditions, apart from those multimillion dollar ads are the snacks. Yes, the snacks!!! This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia…
Gravlax
Bagels and Lox anyone? Gravlax is a Scandinavian specialty. Just to clarify, it is not smoked salmon, and I will explain why. Salmon gravlax are cold-cured in sugar, salt and plenty of dill. I like to add about two shots of vodka, for good measure you know! [feast_advanced_jump_to] The name gravlax comes from two Scandinavian words…
Black Bean Plantain Empanadas
Black bean plantain empanadas is what you might call an unusual combination of ingredients. It is a perfect vegan dish. I am not a vegan or even a vegetarian by the way, but find these empanadas absolutely irresistible. You can stuff an empanada with just about anything, creativity is your friend. I have adapted this recipe…
Samosas – Spicy Potato Filled Pastries
Samosas are delicious, fried, savory Indian pastries. They look like triangles filled with chicken, lamb, or vegetables. Mine are vegetarian samosas filled with potatoes, onions and spices. Traditionally they have dipping sauces such as chutney or yogurt topped with an herb such as chopped chives or cilantro(my favorite!) By the way, my easy samosa recipe…
Poğaças – Savory Turkish Pastries
Poğaças pronounced pwa-cha is a savory Turkish pastry made with feta and blue cheese. They are a close cousin to the Middle Eastern cheese fatayer, or the Greek tiropita. The dough is similar in consistency to that of a biscuit dough. It uses no eggs, and has a nice elasticity that makes it incredibly easy…
