Tag-Archive for » Appetizers «
15
Apr 2011
Apr 2011
Did you know that today is NOT the 2010 tax deadline? Nope. It’s been extended to Monday the 18th because of Emancipation Day. While that’s clearly an important reason for an extension, I’ll bet the true intention behind pushing the date back is that the IRS didn’t want to interfere with Finger Food Friday! I’m showing my appreciation by preparing a throw-back finger food, Hot Crab Dip.
Hot Crab Dip was the it “hors d’oeuvre” of my youth. If you grew up in New Orleans or had a relative that did, you’ll probably recall the dip being [ ... ]
08
Apr 2011
Apr 2011
Geez! I’m just realizing I haven’t posted anything new since last Friday. This crazy week just got away from me. The kids are on Spring Break, so I’ve been trying to do fun things with them in between finishing a couple of big “mommy & daddy projects” that unfortunately spilled over from last week. Those projects have also kept me away from the computer and out of the kitchen. But I’m finally catching my breath. Just in time for Finger Food Friday and the recipe du jour, Marinated Cheese.
I love, love, love this picking food! After all, cheese is my [ ... ]
01
Apr 2011
Apr 2011
The weather’s been funky around here this week and I have a bad case of cabin fever. But the forecast calls for sun this afternoon (fingers crossed), so I’m heading outdoors! This Finger Food Friday I’m going to be grilling a big platter of stuffed mini peppers and kicking back on the deck with a bunch of ice cold brews. That should get me out of my funk. I’m not sure what I’ll ultimately end up drinking this evening though, because I’ve just stumbled upon a couple of really good ales. One’s a Double Red Ale (Shark Attack, Port Brewing, [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, Vegetables
Tags: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays Comments off
25
Mar 2011
Mar 2011
This week, Finger Food Friday is welcoming spring the best way it knows how. With crawfish! That’s right. Crawfish season has officially begun. Well, actually, there’s no “official” start to crawfish season since these dirt diggers have rather unpredictable life cycles (thanks to every extreme weather condition that affects South Louisiana). But they’re available now live or hot-from-the-pot at many grocery stores, seafood markets and restaurants. Supplies of frozen crawfish tails are also on the rise this time of year, which means they’re usually cheaper. So get them while the getting’s good. That way, you’ll be ready to cook up great [ ... ]
18
Mar 2011
Mar 2011
In case you woke up in a fog today, which is normally how our first week of Daylight Savings Time ends, it’s Finger Food Friday! And since tomorrow is St. Joseph’s Day and St. Joseph is one of the most beloved saints among Italian-Americans, I’m stuffing artichokes. This peculiar looking vegetable is an integral part of the New Orleans diet thanks to the huge population of Sicilians who settled in the City many moons ago and stuffing them is one of my favorite ways to pay homage to my other roots–my Italian roots. Remember yesterday? I mentioned I was half [ ... ]
11
Mar 2011
Mar 2011
Hey guys! Welcome back to Finger Food Fridays ! I hope you had a great week. Mine was mundane. Oh, I take that back! There actually was some drama, slight family drama, this week. My 8-year-old daughter broke her arm. Nothing major. Just cracked enough to earn her a bright green cast for autographing. I’m still not sure what happened, but it involved a basketball, a basketball goal and a wooden bike ramp (thankfully, no bike). Needless to say, I’m glad it’s Friday!
Today I’m going to be chilling out with Taco Bread and a few lime-choked Dos Equis Ambers (Mexico). [ ... ]
04
Mar 2011
Mar 2011
Happy Friday! I’m so excited today because I’m kicking off my very first recurring blog series: Finger Food Fridays. Through my weekly posts, I’ll be introducing you to all my favorite finger foods (which I refer to more affectionately as “picking foods”) and the TGIF liquid refreshments that accompany them. These are my go-to comfort foods–recipes that reflect what I enjoy cooking, eating and serving to my family and friends at the end of a hectic week. The spread is broad. Great fun to make. More fun to eat. Mainly simple. Occasionally ambitious. Always interesting. Best of all, each dish [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays
Tags: andouille sausage, Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, Shrimp Creole 13 Comments
05
Feb 2011
Feb 2011
Are you ready for some football? I’m not. Truth be told, I didn’t plan on doing a Super Bowl post or even watching the game this year. I guess I’ve been trying to avoid the event altogether, because come Sunday our beloved Saints will no longer be the reigning Super Bowl champs. I get the once a champion, always a champion thing. But when you’re the reigning champs you get 12 months of extra attention. And I’ve loved every minute of it–the post-game interviews, the victory parade, the Super Bowl ring ceremony, the extensive and glowing sports coverage, inspiring news articles, [ ... ]
Category: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, New Orleans Classics
Tags: Appetizers, Finger Food Fridays, Super Bowl 2 Comments
21
Dec 2010
Dec 2010
During the holidays, I love giving my friends and neighbors gifts from my kitchen. But baking and decorating loads of cookies is not my style. I prefer to spread Christmas cheer with savory items like dips, spreads, make-ahead breakfast casseroles (perfect for Christmas morning) and my very own “Cajun Mary” Mix. These types of food gifts are perfect for everyone on my list, from my shop-till-you-drop friends who hardly have time for a meal to my house-hotel neighbors hosting shifts of family throughout the holidays.
This year I’m gifting my Sun Dried Tomato and Chickpea Spread. I’ve been making it for [ ... ]
