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Appetizers/Starters

Braised Beef Short Rib Arancini with Marinara + Pesto Aioli dips

Up next in the foodie department: New Year’s Eve! Even though it will only be a few of us, I’ve decided to bring a few things for snacks and appetizer/starter type things. The first of these are these are Braised Beef Short Rib Arancini with Marinara + Pesto Aioli dips. Now arancini aren’t a quick thing — I braised the beef (of which I will only use some) and made the risotto myself as well so I actually started this endeavor yesterday. I find it easier to do over two days because you have to cool things completely between steps. They are time intensive, but well worth it. Consider it a “full weekend activity”. These do freeze extremely well, so I often make huge batches to last a few months.

29. December 2023

Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Savory Snacks

Wild Mushroom and Bacon Turnovers

Sometimes when I am in Maine, I can be found in the woods, foraging for things, be it blackberries or mushrooms. I have been foraging for chanterelle mushrooms since I was a young child, so please don’t follow my lead on doing this activity unless you know what you are doing. Then again, making these turnovers is highly recommended. They are delicious with all sorts of mushrooms, including ones that you find at the shops or farmers markets. I made them with the intent to be appetizers, but they’d also be great as lunch, a light dinner, or even a breakfast or brunch item. They are buttery and savory and a little bit bacony — all good things for me!

22. August 2023

Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

Pantry-Friendly Nacho Skillet Dip

Sometimes you just need to pull something together for a BBQ, potluck or having friends over to watch a game or movie. Enter this Pantry-Friendly Nacho Skillet Dip. I’m guessing many of you may already have some, if not all, of these ingredients in the house, and many of them are canned so shelf-stable and easy to keep on hand. Simple, and I mean super-simple, to pull together and stays hot for quite a while in the cast iron skillet. If you have leftover, they heat up really well in the oven as well.

19. August 2023

Appetizers/Starters, Lunch, Savory Snacks, Sides

Brie, Asparagus and Prosciutto Pastries

Here’s a quick little savory snack, appetizer or side dish for lunch or crunch: Brie, Asparagus and Prosciutto Pastries. They use store-bought frozen puff pastry and can be ready in just about 30-45 minutes, and can also be eaten hot or at room temperature. Pretty and have an “early summer” vibe with the asparagus. Don’t like brie? You can sub out swiss cheese too!

21. June 2023

Appetizers/Starters, Breakfast/Brunch, Lunch

Crostata Primavera: Puff Pastry Tart with Asparagus, Peas + Baby Arugula

Here’s a delicious little spring tart (hence the name, Crostata Primavera), with all sorts of early in the season bounty: asparagus, peas and baby arugula/rocket. It’s very green, which is the intent as it is Easter Week and this is something for “Green Thursday (Gründonnerstag)”, which is how some people in Germany refer to Holy Thursday. Was very easy to make, required very little prep time and was ready in under an hour. Can be eaten hot or at room temperature, for brunch or lunch. Might have to put this one on the regular spring rotation.

4. April 2023

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