Archive for the Category » Appetizers «
28
Oct 2011
Oct 2011
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Sometimes I like taking elegant dishes, you know the ones that are often reserved for special occasions, and make them fun and approachable so they can be enjoyed often and in a more relaxed setting. That’s what I’ve done with Crabmeat Mornay. Instead of serving it in a fancy chafing dish or individual ramekins, I spoon the rich, cheesy mixture into mini-phyllo shells and serve them right out of the oven. By doing so, I able to turn a regal appetizer into a perfectly portioned finger food. What’s also nice is that the mornay can be made a day in [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Crab, Finger Food Fridays, Seafood
Tags: Crabmeat, Finger Food Fridays Comments off
21
Oct 2011
Oct 2011
South Louisiana is known for producing some really interesting and absolutely delicious food products. And while most of us New Orleanians are quick to try just about anything put in front of us, people outside the area are not so eager. Moving to North Georgia and entertaining new friends was a testament to that. But although guarded, my new buddies were genuinely interested in and enamored by our food and food culture. They just didn’t know how the heck to cook or eat half of it! Through years of entertaining New Orleans style, we’ve enjoyed teaching our “Georgia Peaches” how [ ... ]
14
Oct 2011
Oct 2011
My kids love the white cheese dip they serve at all the Mexican restaurants around here. A couple of years ago, the son of one of those restaurant managers and my son ended up in the same class. As a Mother’s Day gift, the students made a cookbook of favorite family recipes (that were collected with help from the dads). When my son arrived home from school on that Friday before my special day, he came charging through the door waving the cookbook in his hand yelling, “I’ve got the recipe! I’ve got the recipe!” As luck would have it, [ ... ]
07
Oct 2011
Oct 2011
The only thing left in our veggie garden is this crazy jalapeno plant. Crazy because it’s still thriving even though it only reached about 12-inches in height and is forever tipping over from the weight of the mass quantities of spicy-delicious peppers it continues to produce. We harvested so many jalapenos, in fact, that I’m struggling to use them up before they go bad! Which is why I decided to make Crawfish Jalapeno Poppers today. With this recipe, I can knock out 24 or more (depending on their size). That’ll leave me with a only handful. Well, at least [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Crawfish, Finger Food Fridays, Seafood, Snacks
Tags: crawfish, Finger Food Fridays One Comment
30
Sep 2011
Sep 2011
If you follow my tweets, you may remember that last week while we were home the hubby and I took the kids to have lunch at Cochon Butcher , one of my favorite food destinations. Cochon Butcher is attached to and is the laid back “little brother” of the fine dining restaurant, Cochon. It’s a Cajun deli/butcher shop/bar located in the Warehouse District that serves up outrageously delicious bar food, gourmet sandwiches constructed of house-made and cured meats and sausages and a wide variety of ever-changing and very appealing specials and sides. It also has a fully stocked bar with [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, Pork
Tags: andouille sausage, Finger Food Fridays 2 Comments
23
Sep 2011
Sep 2011
I came across this finger food a couple of years back while combing through one of Martha Stewart’s magazines. It’s a fun way to turn an average bag of chips into a highfalutin party food. The key is to start with the right chips. I think the kettle cooked varieties work best because they’re hefty and super-crunchy. The Cape Cod Kettle Cooked Reduced Fat are my favorites because I can double my portion without the guilt. Those bags also tend to have more twists and folds–I love the folds! Any combination of fresh herbs work. Just be sure to use [ ... ]
16
Sep 2011
Sep 2011
Back in February, I introduced you to my basic sliders. Those are the ones I throw together at least twice a month for fun dinners and last minute gatherings. The kids love them. Their friends love them. My friends love them. Everybody loves them. But here’s the downside. Those sliders are such a bit hit, that I get eye rolling and other unwelcomed gestures from my little “children-of-the-corn” (that’s a term of endearment around here) anytime I suggest creating a new recipe. I’ve tried to convince my darlings that I’m not looking to replace “their” sliders. I’m simply wanting to [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Beef, Finger Food Fridays, Main Dishes, Pork
Tags: Finger Food Friday One Comment
09
Sep 2011
Sep 2011
Let’s talk wings, shall we? Crispy, juicy ones dripping with spicy Buffalo sauce. Many a weekend night revolves around them, especially during football season. And we all have strong opinions on who makes the best. Me? I’m a Hooters girl. No. No. No. Not a “Hooters Girl.” I don’t work there or anything. What I mean is I prefer Hooter’s wings “hot naked” over all others. Honestly, that’s how I order them. If you’re unfamiliar with their menu, let me explain. “Hot” refers to the heat level (they also come mild, medium, 3 Mile Island and 911). “Naked” means without [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Chicken, Finger Food Fridays
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26
Aug 2011
Aug 2011
Happy Finger Food Friday! I’m worn out today after a marathon week of work, homework, test prep, after-school activities, Curriculum Nights, cooking, cleaning and everything else that a mom does to make the “ship run smoothly.” But I don’t want to start the weekend in a fog. So I’m breaking out the chips and dip. This may sound like funky therapy to some, but it’s the perfect remedy for me. And this Warm Blue Cheese Dip has got it going on (as does anything that contains cream cheese and a splash or two of liquor). I’ll be serving the dip [ ... ]
19
Aug 2011
Aug 2011
One of the ultimate finger foods has to be the good old American sandwich. And it dawned on me last week, while working on my banh mi appetizers, that I have never posted anything on the muffuletta (pronounced “muff-uh-LOTT-a”)–one of the greatest and most generous sandwiches New Orleans has to offer. The muffuletta was created in the early 1900s by the original owner of Central Grocery, a small family-owned Italian grocery store/lunch counter in the French Quarter. This unique sandwich is made on a soft, circular Italian bread loaf piled high with cured meat, Swiss or provolone cheese and olive [ ... ]
