Categories
Appetizers Breads

Italian Toasts

This is a quick appetizer.   Buy a fresh loaf of herb or whole grain bread and slice into 1/2 inch or smaller slices.  Toast lightly.  Brush toast lightly with olive oil/garlic mixture.  Layer fresh mozerella slices, fresh basil and fresh tomato slices on each piece.  Sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Place in broiler, oven or […]

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Appetizers Dinners

Lotsa Stuff Potato Skins

Scrub 6-10 potatoes- adjust to the size of your crowd. Prick them with a fork and microwave for 5-6 minutes on high.  Check if done and continue a few minutes at a time until they are tender.  Cook and cut in half.  Scoop out the centers.  Meanwhile, fry some thick slice bacon- applewood cured if you can […]

Categories
Appetizers

Stuffed Mushrooms

Here comes football season- and we love a bunch of munchies with the game.  Imagine serving fried zucchini, stuffed mushrooms and my lotsa stuff potato skins.  That should fill ’em up and let you watch the game!! Stuffed mushrooms are quick- clean your button or baby bellas and remove the stem.  Chop the stem into […]

Categories
Appetizers Salads

Deviled Eggs

Keep it simple!  Once you have mastered hard boiling eggs- pickled eggs and deviled eggs are only minutes away.  We raise chickens, so fresh eggs are always on hand.  Fresh eggs boil horribly- they need to be older eggs.   I have a egg boiler- you prick each egg and place in the boiler and it’s […]

Categories
Appetizers Pickles

Hot Carrots

This recipe started it all.   Yasmin asked for my hot carrot recipe.  She shot a photo of her end results and I shot a photo of my “canned” results and so it began….. I have made hot carrots by the pound, by the 3 pounds, by the 5 pounds and even by the 25 pounds.  […]

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Appetizers

Hot Stuff Onion Dip

I was wondering what to do with those cute little habanero peppers from the garden and I found one great dip!  Mix a box of cream cheese (8 ounces) with half cup of sour cream, half an envelope of onion soup mix, 2 green onions and a couple of habaneros in your food processor.  Just […]

Categories
Appetizers Salads

7 Layer Dip

If you are looking for a quick addition to a tailgate party or any summer picnic- think about making a 7 layer dip.  Of course, I start with homemade refried beans- but you can buy a couple large cans of Rosarito or your favorite brand instead.  And you can get an disposable aluminum pan so […]

Categories
Appetizers Salads

Pico de Gallo

Another thanks to Cecilia Flores.  This is a chunky salsa- just make enough for the day as it does not keep well. FANTASTIC on tacos, burritos or with fresh chips.  Great over fish, chicken, steak.  Wonderful with carne asada or quesadillas. Just find a confortable spot and assemble your ingredients- tomatoes, tomatillos, carrots, jalapenos, green […]

Categories
Appetizers Asian foods

Lumpia

You KNOW it’s gotta be special.  This makes a party a party.  This should BE a party when you make it.   The more the merrier.  The challenge is finding the rice wrappers.  They are not carried in most grocery stores.  We head to Seafood City in National City to stock up.  They do freeze.  Our […]

Categories
Appetizers

Fried Zucchini

This has to be the favorite from the garden treat.  Wash and slice your zucchini into 1/2 inch slices.  You can get creative and make sticks too.  I use the 3 step method- dry, dip, dry and fry- oh, that’s four steps.  Mix the flour in a bowl with the salt, pepper and cayenne pepper.  […]