Tag Archives: appetizers

Spiced Pecans, Alton Brown

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1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dried ground orange peel
1 pound pecan halves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar

2 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons water

Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix the salt, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and orange peel together in a small bowl and set aside.
Place the nuts in a 10-inch cast iron skillet and set over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes until they just start to brown and smell toasted. Add the butter and stir until it melts. Add the spice mixture and stir to combine. Once combined, add both sugars and water, stirring until the mixture thickens and coats the nuts, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.

Transfer the nuts to the prepared sheetpan and separate them with a fork or spatula. Allow the nuts to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container for storage. Can be stored up to 3 weeks.

Clinton Kelly’s Spicy Queso Dip

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1 tablespoon Oil
1 small White Onion (very finely diced)
1 Red Bell Pepper (finely minced)
2 to 3 Jalapenos (minced)
1 cup Heavy Cream
1 pound Yellow American Cheese (shredded)
8 ounces Pepperjack Cheese (shredded)
1 bunch Cilantro leaves (chopped)
Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper
Tortilla Chips to serve

Heat the olive oil in a pot over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper, jalapeno, and a generous pinch of salt, cooking until very soft. Add the cream and bring to a simmer. Add the cheese, stirring continuously, until it has all melted, and season to taste.

Garnish with cilantro and serve with tortilla chips. If entertaining, serve in an oven safe bowl or crock that has been warmed in the oven.

Helpful Tips:
1. Salt the onions and peppers to draw out moisture.
2. Try leftover queso dip as a spread for sandwiches or a hearty burger.

Bruschetta with fig compote from bread in 5 minutes

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Stale bread, sliced
Fig compote (recipe follows)
Prosciutto
blue cheese and/or mozzarella
olive oil
thyme and/or basil

preheat the oven broiler.

Place the stale, sliced bread on a sheet pan, and brush with a bit of olive oil. Drizzle the bread with the fig compote liquid, and place a few of the fig pieces on each slice. Layer desired toppings over the compote, and place the sheet pan under the broiler. Let broil until the edges are golden brown and the mozzarella (if using) is melted and starting to brown in spots, about 4-7 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with fresh herbs and/or blue cheese, if desired.

dmv note: I broiled for 12 min using the toaster oven sauce did not get very thick. I used 3 tbsp butter, light brown sugar and less sugar and honey.

Optional toppings:

fig compote, prosciutto, and thyme
fig compote, mozzarella, and basil
fig compote, blue cheese, and thyme

Makes about 1 cup

1/2 pound fresh, black mission figs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons honey
good pinch of salt

Preheat your oven’s broiler.

Cut the stems off the figs and then slice them into quarters.

Add the butter, brown sugar, and honey to a broiler safe pan (cast iron works nice). Cook over high heat for a minute or so, stirring frequently until syrup begins to bubble. Add the figs and stir them, coating them well with the syrup.

Place your pan under the broiler; this will caramelize the figs. Broil for about 5 minutes, swirling the pan a few times to keep the sugar from burning (make sure to use an oven mitt). The figs are done when the syrup has slightly thickened and is amber in color, and the edges of the figs are turning dark. Remove the pan and serve the figs warm.

Olive Cheese Bread — the pioneer woman

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loaf French Bread

6 ounces, weight Pimiento-stuffed Green Olives

6 ounces, weight Black Olives

2 stalks Green Onions (scallions)

1 stick Butter, Room Temperature

1/2 cup Mayonnaise

3/4 pounds Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated

Roughly chop both black olives and pimiento-stuffed green olives. Slice green onions into thin pieces.

Combine butter, mayonnaise, cheese, olives and green onions in a mixing bowl. Stir together until thoroughly combined. Spread mixture onto French bread that has been sliced lengthwise. Bake at 325ºF for 25 to 30 minutes or until cheese is melted and browning.

Mixture can also be refrigerated (up to two days) and used as a dip. Great with crackers.

Sardine Salad Sandwich, the bitten word

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2 3.75-ounce cans oil-packed skinless, boneless sardines, drained
2 stalks celery, finely chopped
1/2 small red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
8 slices whole-grain bread, toasted
Bibb lettuce, sliced tomato, sliced cucumber and alfalfa sprouts, for topping

Combine the sardines, celery, red onion, mayonnaise, dill, lemon juice, lemon zest, mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste in a large bowl. Mash well with a fork.

Sandwich the sardine salad between the bread slices along with the lettuce, tomato, cucumber and sprouts.
Total time: 15 mins | Serves 4

Homemade Cheez-Its

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1 8-oz. block extra sharp cheddar cheese, coarsely shredded
1/2 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup unbleached all purpose flour
2 tablespoons ice water

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the cheddar, butter, and salt until soft and homogenous. Add the flour and mix on low speed; the dough will be dry and pebbly. Slowly add the water and continue to mix as the dough coalesces into a mass.

Pat the dough into a disk, wrap tightly with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Preheat the oven to 375˚. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or Silpats.

Divide the dough into two pieces and roll each into a very thin (1/8 inch or less) 10×12-inch rectangle. Using a fluted pastry cutter, cut the rectangles into 1-inch squares, then transfer to the baking sheets. Use the tip of a chopstick to punch a hole into the center of each square.

Bake for 17 minutes or until puffed and browning at the edges. Watch carefully, as the high fat content of the crackers makes it a fine line between golden delicious and burnt. Immediately move the crackers to racks to cool. Makes approximately 15 dozen crackers

Mushroom-Lentil Pate, The Washington Post, December 26, 2012

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The herb-infused lentils are such a nice element of this pate that you might consider making extra and using the leftovers, including their liquid, to sauce pasta or rice.

Serve the pate with whole-grain crackers or rye toasts, garnished with thyme, if desired.

MAKE AHEAD: The pate can be made, covered and refrigerated 2 days in advance.

Makes 1 1/4 cups (5 servings)

1/3 cup (about 3 ounces) dried brown lentils
2 sprigs thyme, plus more for optional garnish
1 teaspoon medium-grain sea salt
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced (about 1 cup)
1 clove garlic, smashed with the flat side of a knife, then minced
8 ounces cremini mushrooms, chopped
1 tablespoon medium-dry sherry
1/2 cup (about 3 ounces) pecan halves or pieces, toasted (see NOTE)
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar

Cover the lentils with an inch of water in a small, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring almost to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cook until tender, about 20 minutes, adjusting the heat so the water is barely bubbling. Remove from the heat, stir in the thyme sprigs and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, then cover and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat until warm. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of the oil, the onion and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and cook until translucent, 7 or 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook a few minutes longer. Add the mushrooms and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, toss to coat with the oil, cover partly and cook until the mushrooms have released their liquid, about 10 minutes. Uncover and cook until most of the remaining liquid evaporates. Add the sherry, and cook until it just glosses the bottom of the pan, about 1 minute. Cover the skillet and remove it from the heat.

Pulse the pecans in the bowl of a food processor until they are finely ground. Add the onion-mushroom mixture and process until just combined. Drain the lentils, reserving the cooking liquid for another use, if desired, and add them to the food processor along with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of oil, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and the pepper. Process until smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and pulse just until combined. It should be about the consistency of peanut butter.

The pate can be served in a bowl immediately, garnished with additional thyme, if desired. It can also be molded. Transfer the pate into a small loaf pan or bowl lined with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour. When ready to serve, unmold the pate onto a serving plate and remove the plastic wrap.Garnish with additional thyme, if desired.

NOTE: To toast the pecans, spread them on a baking sheet and place in a 350-degree oven, shaking the sheet occasionally, for 8 to 10 minutes. Watch carefully; nuts burn quickly.

Cheese ball — Blake

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1 cup sharp Cheddar; finely chopped
1 cup Havarti; finely chopped
1/2 cup softened Brie
1 tsp black pepper
1 tbsp red pepper flakes
chili powder
chopped pecans

Mix the cheeses and peppers together very thoroughly and let it warm sufficiently to form it. Do that and then chill it a while. Roll it in the chili powder and then the pecans.

Fresh Salmon Tartare — Ina

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1 pound skinless fresh salmon fillet
1/2 pound smoked salmon, thickly sliced
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
1/3 cup minced shallots (2 shallots)
2 tablespoons good olive oil
1/4 cup minced fresh dill
3 tablespoons drained capers
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon whole-grain mustard
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 loaf seven-grain bread, thinly sliced and toasted, for serving

Cut the fresh salmon and the smoked salmon in 1/4-inch dice. Place the salmon in a mixing bowl and add the lime juice, shallots, olive oil, dill, capers, two mustards, salt, and pepper. Mix well, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for a few hours for the salmon to marinate.

When ready to serve, toast the bread and taste the salmon for seasonings. Serve the tartare with triangles of the toast.

Warning: Consumption of raw or undercooked shellfish may substantially increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Chipotle and Rosemary Roasted Nuts — Ina

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Vegetable oil
3 cups whole roasted unsalted cashews (14 ounces)
2 cups whole walnut halves (7 ounces)
2 cups whole pecan halves (7 ounces)
1/2 cup whole almonds (3 ounces)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
1/4 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
2 teaspoons ground chipotle powder
4 tablespoons minced fresh rosemary leaves, divided
Kosher salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Brush a sheet pan generously with vegetable oil. Combine the cashews, walnuts, pecans, almonds, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, the maple syrup, brown sugar, orange juice, and chipotle powder on the sheet pan. Toss to coat the nuts evenly. Add 2 tablespoons of the rosemary and 2 teaspoons of salt and toss again.

Spread the nuts in one layer. Roast the nuts for 25 minutes, stirring twice with a large metal spatula, until the nuts are glazed and golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with 2 more teaspoons of salt and the remaining 2 tablespoons of rosemary.

Toss well and set aside at room temperature, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking as they cool. Taste for seasoning. Serve warm or cool completely and store in airtight containers at room temperature.