Jul 03, 2009 -
Since your guests are anticipating an array of grilled and classic appetizers that scream Fourth of July, this weekend, why not do something different? Surprise them with a platter of mini crab cakes! They're a luxurious appetizer and all-American favorite.
- 8 Comments
Jun 19, 2009 -
Normally, I am the queen of the kitchen, but recently my sister and her best friend decided to treat me to a homemade dinner. Trish, my sister, is incredibly smart, so I wasn't surprised when she asked Chef Chris Behr, of San Francisco's SPQR, for an easy and delicious appetizer idea. He suggested making a thick white-bean puree for crostini.
- 6 Comments
Jun 11, 2009 -
Parmesan cheese is quite possibly Italy's most popular cheese. The hard, dry cheese has clearly won its way into the hearts of America. It's made from skimmed (or partially skimmed) cow's milk and has a pale golden rind and light-straw interior.
- 12 Comments
Jun 08, 2009 -
After learning that larger shrimp should be deveined, I decided to throw a couple on the barbie and make a shrimp cocktail Carmen Miranda would be proud of. With the end of Spring bringing a large bounty of fresh fruit and vegetables, I picked up a couple avocados, corn on the cob, and mangoes to create a fruity and refreshing cocktail.
The shrimp rub is spicy, and alone these shrimp might make your mouth burn.
- 10 Comments
Jun 04, 2009 -
Asiago is a versatile Italian cheese. The texture and taste depends on its age and can range from smooth and mild to crumbly and sharp. In Europe, for a cheese to be considered asiago, it must be made in the alpine region of the Tento Province in Italy.
- 5 Comments
May 30, 2009 -
Ceviche is a cool and delicious dish in which raw fish is marinated in fresh citrus juice. The acid of the juice "cooks" the fish until it is firm and plump. It's a wonderful Summer course that can be served as an appetizer with tortilla chips or placed atop a bed of greens as an entree.
- 3 Comments
May 28, 2009 -
A whole cow's milk cheese native to Southern Italy, provolone is now produced in other regions of the world. It has a mild flavor and semifirm texture. The cheese comes in various forms, ranging from a long salami-like shape to a squat-pear formation ideal for hanging.
- 11 Comments
May 27, 2009 -
In this week's economic news, appetizers are the latest victim of poor sales. Over the past two years, consumers have spent significantly less on items from the left side of the menu — on dishes like appetizers, salads, and soups. However, the decline may have more to do with customer dissatisfaction than with the bad economy.
- 11 Comments
May 25, 2009 -
If you've ever been to one of my parties, you know that I love crostini. They're my favorite appetizer and have made an appearance at virtually every event I've ever hosted. Crostini are crisp toasts topped with vegetables, meat, or cheese.
- 1 Comment
May 11, 2009 -
Recently my friend Jeffrey bragged about an amazing appetizer — cream-cheese-stuffed, bacon-wrapped grilled jalapeños — he had made for a party. Never one to be outdone, I decided immediately to make bacon-wrapped cheese-filled jalapeños that were better than his. After scouring the Internet for the perfect recipe, I chose one from Food Network because it incorporates sun-dried tomatoes and fresh basil in the cream cheese mixture.
- 15 Comments
