Appetizers

Chicken Parmesan Bites Stuffed with Mozzarella

More Meatballs… Today, I am in major catering mode – doing hors d’oeuvres for 100. Here is a recipe that falls into the “meatball” category. It has oozy, melted mozzarella in the middle. What could be wrong with that?! Chicken Parmesan Bites Stuffed with Mozzarella Serves 8 1 Tbs olive oil 1/2 cup chopped shallots […]

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  November 12, 2010   No comments

Baked Meatballs

The Mighty Meatball I love finding out about new food trends.  One of the things that I predict will be big in 2011 is Meatballs. Old Italian is getting new respect. Meatballs are gaining momentum. The Meatball Shop in New York (five kinds, four gravies) has endless lines, and Disney (Orlando) opened a Meatball and Beer Bar – Portobello […]

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  November 9, 2010   No comments

Caramelized Onion, Apple & Brie Tartlets

Chardonnay Tasting My father had a Chardonnay tasting and asked me to bring an hors d’oeuvres. I had no time to shop and had to dig around my kitchen for ingredients. I found puff pastry, which I always have in the freezer, brie, onions and apples, so this is what I came up with and […]

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  October 25, 2010   2 comments

Parsnip Chips with Mustard Maple Crème Fraîche

Parsnips A member of the parsley family, parsnips are a white root vegetable with a pleasantly sweet flavor.  Adding parsnips to your diet is a good way to get vitamins, minerals and fiber. While not common in many diets, parsnips are well-rounded nutritionally.  Try them roasted, pureed, mixed into mashed potatoes, and added to stews. They do […]

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  October 1, 2010   No comments

Cheese Spread With Pepper Jelly

Cheesy Dip! I’m feeling like a really fattening dip. I need cheese and carbs! Here’s one that really appeals to me. The whole cream cheese, cheddar, spicy factor does it for me. Cheese Spread With Pepper Jelly Serves 10 8 oz cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup green onions, sliced 1/4 cup mayonnaise 1 tsp garlic […]

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  September 24, 2010   3 comments

Things on a plate

One of my favorite weekend lunches is what my family calls “things on a plate”.  You can put whatever “things” you like on it.  We typically have – hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, salami, fresh mozzarella, basil or pesto, olives, cornichon (teeny tiny pickles), tomatoes, goat cheese, etc.  It’s really anything you can find in […]

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  September 7, 2010   2 comments

Shishito Peppers

Little Tokyo at 100 Degrees Farneheit! Yesterday, I roamed aimlessly around Little Tokyo in downtown Los Angeles in the 100 degree heat.  I walked through many supermarkets, “gift shops”, clothing stores, Hello Kitty shops, etc.  I can’t get enough of all that little, beautifully designed stuff they sell. For instance, erasers that come in every single […]

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  August 25, 2010   No comments

Fresh Figs with Goat Cheese & Peppered Honey

A Tree Bursting with Figs Figs are plentiful. My mother-in-law’s fig tree is FULL. She loves it when I come over and take them because they end up on the ground and make a huge mess. The combination of figs and goat cheese does it for me. I usually drizzle balsamic glaze over them, but […]

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  August 24, 2010   1 comment

Seared Radish Crostini

Ravishing Radishes This recipe was a bit experimental for me. I saw it in the New York Times a few weeks ago. I actually just sautéed the radishes in olive oil and garlic with salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. It was really amazing how they completely changed. The radishes loose their bite and become […]

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  June 7, 2010   No comments