Tag Archives: Appetizer

Balsamic & Guinness Chicken Wings are a unique yet delicious appetizer or dinner option.  They have quite the pleasant flavor…it’s a little tangy and sweet.  I think Guinness is mildly sweet with a hoppy/bitter flavor and notes of coffee, almost tastes like roasted almonds.  Balsamic is rich in flavor with a mellow tartness and some acidity, kind of herby.  But both complement each other nicely. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Line the chicken wings on the baking sheet, leaving a little space in between.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 40 minutes, flipping halfway through, or until an internal temperature of 165 degrees F is reached. While the wings are baking, make the sauce.  Heat olive oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and sauté until soft and translucent. … Continue reading

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I recently wrote a blog called Simple Summer Bruschetta Recipes and I’ve been craving something similar ever since.  I think bruschetta is the perfect summer appetizer because it’s easy to make, it’s a bite-sized snack, it’s customizable, and it tastes great!  One piece is never enough for me, so that’s why I like to prepare a variety and enjoy a smorgasbord of recipes 😊 Here are the recipes I have for you today: Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pesto Peach, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Bruschetta Cream Cheese, Avocado, and Dill Bruschetta   All are phenomenal in their own way.  The Roasted Tomato Bruschetta with Pesto has warm tomatoes that burst open while baking, and the sweetness really complements the pesto.  The Peach, Prosciutto, and Ricotta Bruschetta has juicy, ripe peach slices that pair well with the salty prosciutto.  The Cream Cheese, Avocado, and Dill Bruschetta reminds me of avocado toast and is something I would love to devour … Continue reading

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We recently had dinner at a local Italian restaurant and ordered a variety of Bruschetta as an appetizer.  I’ve been thinking about the Bruschetta ever since and couldn’t resist the attempt to recreate it at home.  Who doesn’t love a crunchy Bruschetta appetizer?  And who doesn’t love options?  That’s what I have for you today!  Four vastly different yet incredibly satisfying Bruschetta recipes. When I think of Bruschetta, I typically think baguette with fresh tomatoes and maybe some basil or balsamic dressing.  These are not your traditional Bruschetta recipes by any means, but I think you’ll like them just as much 😊 They are perfect as an appetizer or snack for any gathering and would be great for brunch, a bridal shower, girls’ night in, etc.  Here’s what I have for you: Smoked Salmon Fig & Apple Blueberry, Basil & Ricotta Tomato Aioli & Bacon   Smoked Salmon Bruschetta is surprisingly simple to make.  Don’t worry, you don’t have to … Continue reading

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Star Wars Day is upon us!  If you aren’t familiar, it’s an informal commemorative day observed annually on May 4th to celebrate all things Star Wars.  It’s not an official holiday by any means but any diehard fan is aware as observance of the day has spread quickly.  The title of this blog, May the Fourth Be with You, is a play on the popular catchphrase May the Force Be with You.  It you’ve watched the movies, you know what I’m referring to 😊 It’s a popular day for franchise fans and whether you plan on celebrating at home or in a galaxy far, far away, I hope you enjoy the recipes I’m going to share with you.  As expected, all are Star Wars themed. Here is a list of the recipe: Copycat Blue Milk Copycat Green Milk Stormtrooper Cheeseball Rebellion Pizza Chocolate Covered Pretzel Lightsabers   Copycat Blue Milk and Copycat Green Milk are beverages popular to … Continue reading

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Cheesy Pull Apart Bread Bowls are designed for sharing making them the perfect appetizer!  Simply pull apart (hence the name) or tear the pieces of bread off and enjoy.  Toasted bread with melted cheese that’s smothered in garlic and herbs?  Yes, please.  It’s comfort food at its finest! If you aren’t familiar with “pull apart bread” it’s basically a round loaf of bread that is cut at a diagonal leaving little squares that you stuff cheese, meat, and/or herbs between then cover with melted butter and bake.  Sounds delicious, right?  It is and you’ll be drooling while you wait to dig in! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.  Use a bread knife to slice the round sourdough loaf from side to side in both directions, leaving about 1-inch of space between each slice.  You will create a cross pattern and do … Continue reading

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Italian Nachos are simple and easy to make!  They are loaded with crispy fried wonton wrappers, spicy Italian sausage, pepperoni, banana peppers, melty cheese, and marinara sauce for dipping.  They make a satisfying meal or can be served as an appetizer.  They are also great for game day, a potluck, family game night…anytime you want yummy snacks 😊 They are delicious and packed with tasty ingredients. The recipe can be found here. Start by heating a skillet over medium heat.  Add the spicy pork sausage or plant-based meat and cook until cooked through, about 8 minutes.  Remove from the heat and set aside.  I did use Impossible Meat when I made this recipe (the spicy ground package) however you can use any spicy ground meat of your choosing.  I had always wanted to try the spicy plant-based meat, and this gave me a good excuse to try it.  It was quite spicy and tasted just like ground pork. Heat oil … Continue reading

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This time of year is prime for family gatherings, holiday parties, potlucks at work, you name it!… and I want to help you kick of the holiday season with a few simple (yet tasty) appetizer recipes that are sure to get the party started. I like to create delicious appetizers that look like I spent hours in the kitchen or appear to be store-bought but in fact didn’t take much time or effort to make.  You want the conversation to start flowing and to interact with your guests, really be part of the celebration vs. spending the entire event in the kitchen preparing the meal, and I have you covered.  These recipes are quick, easy, and tasty. Here are the recipes: Citrus Herbed Olives Balsamic Roasted Tomatoes with Burrata Cheese Roasted Red Pepper with Burrata Cheese   Citrus Herbed Olives take about 5 minutes to make (plus time to marinate) and are a wonderful … Continue reading

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Spicy Grilled Queso is the perfect appetizer or side dish for your next party!  It’s SO SIMPLE to make…you cook the meat, add all ingredients to a disposable pan, heat on the grill, and serve.  It could not be simpler to make or more delicious to eat 😊 It has a slightly smokey taste from the BBQ, a hint of heat from the jalapenos (don’t worry, it’s not overpowering), and plenty of melted cheese for dipping. The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the grill to 250-300 degrees F. While the grill preheats, prepare the ingredients.  Heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the pound of meat and cook until cooked through, crumbling as it cooks.  Then remove from the heat and set aside. I used Beyond Meat for my recipe because that’s what I had on hand.  This recipe would be amazing with ground beef or a pork sausage.  You could also use ground chicken … Continue reading

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Bacon Jalapeno Crescent Roll Puffs is an easy appetizer or dinner recipe that will be a crowd favorite!  I say appetizer or dinner because the recipe is something most people would serve as an appetizer but if you eat enough of them (like we did) they can also be filling enough for an entire meal 😊 Think of this recipe as a spin on a traditional jalapeno popper.  You still have the jalapeno, bacon, shredded cheese, and cream cheese but instead of being stuffed inside the jalapenos, the ingredients are wrapped in crescent roll dough.  You get crispy bacon and spicy jalapeno, but the heat is cut by the combination of Colby jack and cream cheese.  The crescent roll dough creates this warm, soft, pillowy blanket to hold the ingredients together.  They are addictive! The recipe can be found here. Start by preheating the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Cook the … Continue reading

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Are you ready for the Kentucky Derby?  It’s usually held on the first Saturday in May, making it this upcoming Saturday, May 7, 2022.  A lot of people like to gather with friends and family to watch the races and enjoy some good food and drink.  I believe it’s known as “the greatest two minutes of sports” so why not spend all day in the kitchen for 2 minutes of cheering pleasure? 😊  Kidding…it’s a very fun horse race to watch! I will be preparing the following items to enjoy during our viewing pleasure, and you might notice a theme… Kentucky (where the derby is held) and whiskey/bourbon (sponsors of the event and heavily influenced in the south). Kentucky Hot Brown Dip Whiskey Spiced Chicken Wings Kentucky Oaks Cocktail Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans   Kentucky Hot Brown Dip is a rich a creamy dip that encompasses the wonderful ingredients and flavors of a … Continue reading

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