Cuisine: appetizers
Chili Crisp Baked Feta
This Chili Crisp Baked Feta is really good. It's a little bit spicy, salty, and delicious! Once out of the oven, it gets a drizzle of hot honey. If you've never had hot honey then you are missing out. I love it on pepperoni pizza.
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Rosemary-Sizzled Salami, Dates, and Pecans
My daughter Zoe made Rosemary-Sizzled Salami, Dates, and Pecans from Bon Appétit for a party. It's a warm mix of nuts and salami which is perfect to add to a charcuterie plate. The salami gets slightly crispy and sweet dates chewy and pairs perfectly with the saltiness of the salami.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 5 mins
- Yields: 6 - 8 Servings
Grape Jelly Meatballs
Suspend your disbelief and get out your slow cooker! These Grape Jelly Meatballs use frozen meatballs (I used IKEA meatballs), Concord grape jelly, and chili sauce (or BBQ sauce). It's a southern recipe and is sometimes called hillbilly meatballs. I promise you they are absolutely delicious!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 3 hrs
- Yields: 12 Servings
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Wrapped in Bacon
These Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Wrapped in Bacon are one of my favorite hors d'oeuvres. I love the sweetness of the dates with the saltiness of the bacon which all come together with the tangy goat cheese. I assemble them earlier in the day ready for the oven later.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 20 mins
- Yields: 8 Servings
Ikra, Eggplant Spread
Ikra is a Ukranian vegetable spread that's made of roasted eggplant, bell peppers, onions, carrots, and garlic. I had it at a restaurant recently and decided to make my own. This deliciously healthy spread can be served with sliced bread, pita chips or would work well with a charcuterie board.
- Prep: 35 mins
- Cook: 1 hr 5 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Hot Corn Dip
This Hot Corn Dip is from Celebrate with Babs, by Barbara Costello, 2022. I have to say, it didn't last long, it's so good. You can make it ahead and put it in the oven before serving. I divided it into 2 separate casserole dishes, which worked well.
- Prep: 10 mins
- Cook: 35 mins
- Yields: 10 - 12 Servings
Fried Cheese Wedges with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning
I will admit that I happen to love Laughing Cow Cheese. I made Fried Cheese Wedges with Everything but the Bagel Seasoning and it was a revelation. Dip them in flour, egg, seasoning, and fry. Serve with crackers.
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 10 mins
- Yields: 6 Servings
Cheesy Pickle Chips
I made these Cheesy Pickle Chips and my family went crazy. It's so quick and easy to make and it's a Keto recipe. You just put some grated cheese in a muffin tin, put a pickle on the cheese, sprinkle with ranch seasoning (you could use your favorite season), top with more cheese, and bake for 10 minutes. As Ina would say, how easy is that!
- Prep: 5 mins
- Cook: 15 mins
Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Pistachios
These Dates Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Pistachios is one of Evan Kleiman's signature appetizers. She recommends using Cypress Grove Purple Haze fresh goat cheese with a hint of lavender and fennel pollen. The tart tangy cheese pairs really well with the sweetness of the dates.
- Prep: 15 mins
Blistered Shishito Peppers with Soy-Ginger Sauce
Shishito peppers have become a popular appetizer. They are mostly mild, but about one out of ten are spicy, which adds an element of surprise. The person that gets the spicy one will have good luck! The other interesting aspect of this dish is when you add the bonito flakes (dried fish flakes) on top before serving they move and dance from the heat of the peppers.
