Tag Archives: Appetizer

Recipe: Artichoke Cheese Bread

I feel like food inspiration is every where these days! And especially since I started using Pinterest I feel like I am surrounded by foodies that know what good food really is.

I was inspired by this recipe I saw pinned on a food board on the Pinterest website and I figured I’d give it a go. I had almost all of the ingredients (I needed to pick up a can of artichokes and some fresh french baguettes) and it seemed like putting together the breaded appetizer would be fairly easy.

draining artichokes

So first thing is first… I needed to crack open the can of artichokes. Gag. Have you ever taken a whiff of canned artichokes — again, gag. I love the taste of artichokes but I was practically dry heaving over the smell when they were drained from the can. (I react the same way when I am opening a can of gorgonzola beans.) Note: this is why I am not the one in culinary school, I’ll leave that up to my good friend Stef.

After getting past draining the artichokes, everything was a breeze. For a serving of 4, here’s what the recipe called for:

2 whole grain french baguettes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 14-ounce can of artichokes in water or brine, drained and chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 cups freshly grated parmesan cheese
1/3 cup grated mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup seasoned panko bread crumbs
fresh parsley for garnish

I decided I’d leave the panko bread crumbs out but you’re welcome to keep them in. After draining and rinsing the artichokes, here’s what the instructions said to do:

Cut the baguettes in half lengthwise and brush with the olive oil. Equally distribute the minced garlic and chopped artichoke hearts. Top each with a good handful of cheese, about 1/3 cup each. Sprinkle on a few breadcrumbs. Bake for 8 minutes, then heat the broiler and broil for 2 minutes, or until cheese is golden brown. Garnish with chopped parsley.

I love the flavor of the cheese, garlic, and artichokes. But here’s what I think should be noted for the recipe… Be sure to keep the spread pretty thin, I might have order done it by piling on the ingredients. The flavors were fantastic, but I could hardly take a bite without making a mess! If you can master that (which is no big deal), then these will make for a perfect appetizer or side dish for an Italian meal!

Mexican-Style Puff Pastry

An exotic idea for a puff pastry recipe came to me when I saw a photo on Tumblr of a puff pastry stuffed with salsa, cream cheese, and avocado.

I love avocados… maybe a little too much. I could half the avocado, put a bit of fresh ground pepper and salt on top and spoon it out and eat it.

So, when I saw this idea I decided to run with it.

I quickly realized that I had all of the ingredients already in my refrigerator and freezer. I took out the puff pastry dough, grabbed an avocado, fresh Whole Foods salsa, and low-fat cream cheese. Once the puff pastry was ready to go I cut out 3.5 inch squares of dough, cut a piece of cream cheese a little smaller than my thumb and then I placed that on the middle of the dough. Then I took a table spoon out to scoop avocado out — used a table spoon or two for each piece and there was no need to mash it up either! Then I put about a tablespoon of fresh salsa around the avocado. I folded the dough over so the shape became a triangle. Finally, I used a fork to press down the sides so the dough would stick together and none of the ingredients would fall out.

With the oven already preheated to 375 degrees, I popped those babies in the oven for about 10-12 minutes.

When I took them out of the oven, I let them cool for a few minutes before eating. This was the first time I ever had an avocado heated up! All of the flavors reminded me of a mexican dinner but this time I got all the flavors stuffed into an insanely crispy, buttery, flakey puff pastry!

The colors inside the appetizer reminds me of a fiesta — and would be perfect to serve at a chic outdoor grill-night in the middle of summer!

mexican style puff pastry

With four ingredients, no seasoning, no mixing, no chopping, and within 20 minutes … I was able to create something so tasty! No need for dipping sauce either! The cream cheese provides a sweet and savory texture and flavor, and the salsa adds all of the spices you need!

Give it a try — I’m sure you’ll be just as surprised as I was when I sunk my teeth into this newly discovered dish!

Foodie Holiday Gifts: Part I


Whether or not you are giving a gift to a foodie this year, everyone has to eat. Right? So even simple cooking instruments would be a casual yet thoughtful gift to a ditz in the kitchen.

All year round I see fun cooking supplies that I would love to purchase for my own kitchen, but as I have said before I have very limited space in my kitchen (both counter space and cabinet space, I can barely fit my plates and bowls into the cupboards).

Last year my boyfriend got me an incredible Breville juicer — it was such a thoughtful gift and I use it every week to make freshly squeezed juice. But the amount of space it takes up in my kitchen is obnoxious. It sure is a good thing that I use it so often!

I thought I would share with you some fabulous gift ideas for the holidays — all food-related of course. I’ll continue to post gift ideas all the way up until Christmas. Feel free to comment on the gifts you’ve given in the past to friends and family — and more importantly, tell about your favorite (or terrible) gifts that have been given to you in the past!

Christmas Gifts For Foodies — Put Your Food on This!

The average cheese board is out. Forget buying a slab of marble, customize your cheese board with some state-spirit. I saw this Pennsylvania-shaped cheese board and fell in love with it. Looking at this cheese board reminded me of all of my college memories at Penn State. Then when I looked at the New York Shaped one, I couldn’t help but think of the future. What’s the best part? You can find a cheeseboard for every state! So when you attend a holiday party this year and you’re asked to bring along a cheese plate, put your cheese assortment on this gorgeous A.Heirloom cutting board! (1 board, any state for $40.00)

I don’t have much space in my kitchen, so items that don’t take up my room are perfect. I hate when I am preparing veggies and fish for dinner and I need to sanitize my cutting board right in the middle of preparation. It also grosses me out to think of all of the germs left on the cutting board from the fish. With these color coded cutting boards, you’ll know exactly what you should be cutting and where. I love the little fish design on the blue board that tells you this is where you can slice up your fish. Best part is these boards are dishwasher safe and you can find them at any Bed Bath & Beyond store! (1 set for $59.99)

This next gift might not be necessary, but it certainly is fun… Whenever I am at a cocktail party I love having a glass of wine handy to compliment the appetizers I am eating. But I also love having at least one hand free when talking so I can shake someone’s hand when introducing myself. I’m also guilty of using my hands to talk in general. Having a small appetizer plate to sit on top of my wine glass when I am not drinking is a perfect tool to have. I also love that these bamboo plates can be monogrammed! (10 for $12.95)

My obsession for Himalayan Salt rocks has lasted over more than a year now. Not only are they a gorgeous addition to your kitchen, but they are insanely handy! If you have a grill or a gas stove you are in luck! All you have to do is heat up this block and then cook whatever it is you are wanting to cook over top. What’s the best to cook on a salt block? Fish, steak, chicken, vegetables, eggs and much much more! Because of the natural seasonings in the salt block, you won’t have to worry about adding any additional ingredients to your food. Depending on the size of the block and what you cook on it, you can use a salt block at least over a dozen times (some times even a few dozen times) before you throw it out. I buy all of my salt seasonings and Himalayan Salt block from a store called The Meadow in New York City. But for those who are looking to order one online you can go to Sur La Table. (1 Salt Block for $29.95)

Egg Yolks Transform Numerous Dishes

fried_egg

Nom! These eggs eventually made their way onto some sauteed spinach!

The other week I asked everyone if they’ve ever cracked an egg shell open and found not just one egg yolk, but two.
Today I am wondering what people are putting their eggs on? I never knew until I moved to NYC that egg yolks/fried eggs can transform an ordinary dish into something exquisite! For example, whenever I go to Spitzers on the LES I have to order the burger with a fried egg. My mom gets grossed out by the “texture” of uncooked egg yolks — she says it feels like she’s eating boogers but I think that’s ridiculous! (Love you mom, but you’re totally missing out.) I recently experienced SD26‘s ‘Uovo’ which means “egg” in Italian. This dish is one big ravioli stuffed with truffle, cheese and egg yolk. As my friend Stefanie says, “NOMMMM!!!!!”
Burgers, ravioli, crostini, pasta, spinach… these are only a couple of things that I love putting a fried egg on. What’s your favorite dish to pair eggs with?