Here is a little bit of a “twist” (geddit? 🙂 ) on Garlic Bread: a Cheddar-Herb Tart Soleil. Easy-peasy to make, looks impressive and oh so delicious to eat. Definitely will become part of the “repeat performance” bit whenever I need biscuits or garlic bread to accompany a meal.
Appetizers/Starters
These are addictive. Very addictive.
In my weekly adventures in Wondoughland, my sourdough starter this week produced these absolutely fantastic bread sticks, aka Grissini. I can’t stop eating them. Wrap them in prosciutto, add them to a charcuterie platter, use them as a crouton with soup or salad, or just dip them in some ranch dressing, they are crazy yummy no matter how you snack on them. I made 6 varieties, sesame seed, nigella seed, poppy seed, herbs de provence, pretzel salt and plain. These may become a staple at my place!
Rosemary Olive and Honey Sourdough Focaccia
The issue with baking artisan sourdough bread is that it is delicious. And addictive. And frankly, I could eat this entire loaf of focaccia, if I didn’t have any self-control. It is *that* good. Salty and briny from the olives, sweet from the honey. Hearty. Stop me, before I just gobble this all up. Great as a bread side to dinner, with garlic olive oil as a started or a snack. Sneak a piece when no one is looking. It’s seriously delicious.
Switching to a more traditional implementation of chick peas, here is a great, silky, creamy rendition of Ultra-Creamy Roasted Red Pepper Hummus. A little lemony, a little garlicky, very peppery (not in a hot way, in a flavorful way). I’d eat this slathered on anything, but it is particularly good with the Persian Cukes. And it’s colorful on a cloudy Spring day. I may be snacking all afternoon. (PS: the garnish on the hummus are little marinated peppers called Peruvian Pearls. They are little bursts of flavor. nom nom nom)
Hand pies, pasties, whatever you want to call them are a great alternative to making a sandwich when you’re headed out on a mini-picnic (in March!), so I made these Potato Leek and Cheddar ones before heading out. Bacon would have been a lovely addition but I didn’t have any in the fridge. So yummy. So easy too — just remember to take the puff pastry out of the fridge the night before. And I am off on my mini-adventure!