Appetizers

Zucchini Pizza Bites

8/5/2017

A glorious combination of flavors...zucchini and pizza toppings! Zucchini Pizza Bites are a super simple appetizer or snack. I have to admit, though, I could make a meal out of these yummy bites of guilt-free, garden-fresh goodness all by themselves!

I like to use my panini press with the grill grate plates for the zucchini slices. Broiling in the oven is also an option. I’ve included instructions for both cooking methods.

At the bottom of my recipe, I’ve listed some suggestions for optional toppings. I’m pretty sure you’ll agree that these are delicious!

Zucchini Pizza Bites

1 large zucchini, cut into 1/4”-thick slices
Olive oil
Freshly ground black pepper
Garlic salt
Pizza sauce
Shredded mozzarella cheese
Dried Italian seasoning (typically a blend of oregano, basil, marjoram, thyme, basil, sage, and rosemary)

Place zucchini slices into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with black pepper and garlic salt (to taste). Use your hands to toss and distribute the seasonings.

For panini grilling:
Preheat panini press to medium-high. Place zucchini slices onto the grill plates and close lid; grill for about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a serving plate and immediately top with sauce, cheese, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning…serve and enjoy!

For broiling:
Preheat oven to broil. Place zucchini slices on a baking sheet and broil for about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from oven and immediately top with sauce, cheese, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning (you can pop them back in the oven for about another minute if you want more ooey-gooey meltedness on the cheese)…and it’s time to eat!

Note: Optional toppings could include a pepperoni slice, black olives, diced tomato, or any other pizza topping that you like.

0 Comments

Tom-n-Jerry's (Hotty Toddies)

12/24/2016

0 Comments

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! How I love holiday traditions... and I adore the Christmas traditions that have been in my family for generations, which I strive to keep alive and hope that my grownup son will also continue. These traditions bring back such warm memories! Many traditions center around food and drink, and I want to share my family’s favorite hot drink recipe with you…Tom-n-Jerry’s (aka “Hotty Toddies,” as they’re referred to in my house)! A wonderfully warm, frothy, yummy beverage!

This drink has been around since the early 1800s, and it’s quite common in the Upper Midwest of the U.S. (where I was born and raised). It’s similar in some ways to eggnog, but this is served as hot beverage. Yes… this recipe contains raw eggs, but I personally don’t have an issue with the raw egg thing (I’ve also eaten copious amounts of raw cookie dough in my lifetime... hahahaha!). Also, the eggs in this recipe are tempered using a hot-off-the-stove simple syrup.

Spiced rum is my preference for this drink, but brandy or even whiskey would work in a pinch. If you don’t want to add alcohol, this drink still has great flavor without any booze added. I got to drink the nonalcoholic version when I was a kiddo…loved it!

I generally make my first batch of Hotty Toddies during the week of Thanksgiving and always have a batch in the refrigerator through New Year’s Day. However, I’ve “had my arm twisted” (hahaha!) by my hubby to prolong the availability of this delicious beverage into the month of February! So, even though I tend to think of this as a “holiday drink,” it could be a winter-long luxury!

Tom-n-Jerry's (aka Hotty Toddies)

4 eggs, room temperature
1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
1/2 cup water
7-ounce jar marshmallow creme
1 cup powdered sugar
Spiced rum, boiling water, and ground nutmeg (for serving)

Separate eggs, placing the egg whites in a large glass or metal mixing bowl, and place the yolks in a smaller mixing bowl. Use a hand mixer to beat egg whites until soft peaks form.

Combine granulated sugar and water in a 2-quart saucepan to make a simple syrup, cooking to about 230°F. Slowly add the syrup to egg whites (a little bit at a time to temper the eggs into the mixture) while mixing with a hand mixer. Then add marshmallow creme and mix well.

To the bowl containing the egg yolks, add powdered sugar and mix well (until creamy). Then add the egg yolk mixture to egg white mixture, folding together until combined. Transfer mixture to a container with a sealable lid and refrigerate.

To serve, add 1 to 1-1/2 ounces of spiced rum to a mug, spoon in about 2 tablespoons of mixture, then add enough boiling water to fill the mug. Stir, sprinkle with nutmeg, and ENJOY!

0 Comments

Never-Fail Hummus

5/13/2016

0 Comments

As crazy as it may sound, I’d never heard of “hummus” until about 10 years ago. The first time that I had it, my sister brought it over as an appetizer for a dinner I was hosting. I remember looking at it (I probably wrinkled up my nose) and wondering, “What the heck is HUMMUS?!?” I thought it looked like thickly pureed, uneventful baby food. My sister set out a bag of crunchy pita chips and a bag of fresh baby carrots and celery sticks, and she invited me to give it a taste test. Reluctantly, I cautiously dipped a chip…oh, wow!!! It was really good! Needless to say, I ate so much hummus with chips & veggies that I sort of ruined my appetite for dinner. Hahaha! And…I’ve been a hummus lover ever since!

Hummus is so flavorful, and it's healthier than a lot of other dips…plus it’s super easy to make! There are many different add-ins that can change up the flavor profile (e.g., avocado, garam masala, caramelized onions, cucumbers, cilantro & jalapeños, artichokes, spinach…and the list goes on!). My recipe is for “basic” hummus without any fancy add-ins, but you can easily use this recipe as a base and add in ingredients of your liking.

With the cost of store-bought hummus being a bit ridiculous and all of the food additives/preservatives, it makes sense to make your own! Fresh, healthier, and easy to concoct at home…that works for me! I hope you’ll love this recipe!

Never-Fail Hummus

1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (drained & liquid reserved)
~1/4 cup lemon juice
3 cloves garlic (finely minced)
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (to taste)
1/3 cup tahini (sesame paste) (see *Note* to make your own tahini)
2 tablespoons liquid from drained garbanzo beans
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika (plus more for garnish)
1 tablespoon dried parsley
3 tablespoons olive oil
Toasted sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

Add all of the ingredients (except olive oil ) to food processor. While blending, add olive oil through the open spout on the food processor lid. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula a few times to make sure that the ingredients are well incorporated. Once blended, taste and adjust seasonings to your preference. Remove hummus and place into a serving container.

When serving, sprinkle with a bit more smoked paprika & toasted sesame seeds (and maybe an extra drizzle of olive oil over the top). Can be served immediately or refrigerate. If refrigerated and allowed to set for at least an hour, the flavors will meld together more.

Serve with pita bread, crunchy pita chips, crackers, and fresh veggies. Store leftover hummus covered in the fridge for up to one week.

*Note*: To make your own tahini >> Toast 2 cups sesame seeds in a 350 degree oven for 10 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then add to a food processor and blend until smooth with 1 to 2 tablespoons of grapeseed or olive oil (the amount you need will depend on the freshness of your sesame seeds and the power of your food processor). Scoop into a container and store in the fridge. Should keep for several weeks.

0 Comments

Thinking about snacking...

1/3/2016

0 Comments

Jalapeno Popper & Sausage Dip from Taste of Home is easy, cheesy, and will be a sure hit! This would be awesome served with a veggie tray, crackers, or baguette slices!

Click here to visit the Taste of Home website for the recipe!

These Buffalo Chicken Taquitos from Chef in Training only use a handful of ingredients but are big on flavor! Easy to make, and great served as part of a meal or as an appetizer.

Click here to visit the Chef in Training website for the recipe!

0 Comments

Appetizers & Beverages

Zucchini Pizza Bites

Tom-n-Jerry's (Hotty Toddies)

Never-Fail Hummus

Thinking about snacking...

Archives

Categories