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Savory Snacks

Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Lunch, Savory Snacks

Sea Salt + Vinegar Smashed Potatoes

Kicking off “Potato Week” in my little attempt to create some January enthusiasm, here we have crispy and fluffy Sea Salt + Vinegar Smashed Potatoes. Yeah, sure — first you have to boil the mini-potatoes and then bake them and THEN finally, spritz them with a bit of malt vinegar, but OMG are these good. If you aren’t a malt vinegar type of person, you can skip that part, but don’t skimp on the sea salt. I didn’t make any dipping sauces (ketchup worked just fine), but I could see a sour-cream and chive, a curry ketchup or ranch-mayo deal. Find the smallest potatoes possible — these were a little smaller than a ping pong ball. Little red or yellows both work. Yum Yum!

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Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

Mini-brie and Caramelized Onion Puffs

Have you ever seen those Mini Brie Bites in the store (most regular stores seem to to carry them now, as does Trader Joes) and wondered what to do with them — I mean, besides just eating them in two bites? Well, this is one idea — Mini-brie Puffs. Absolutely phenomenal warm appetizer. If you keep caramelized onions at the ready (which I do), these come together in under an hour and make a lasting impression. Even if you can’t find mini-bries, you can just cut a wedge to pieces and use those instead. Definitely keeping these ingredients at the ready in case anyone pops in.

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Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

Potato Leek and Cheddar Hand Pies

Hand pies or Pasties are one of my favorite things — Quite easy to make, delicious fresh, but also freeze well. One is great as a snack, two is great for lunch. I often have a number of different kinds in the freezer, but these potato leek and cheddar ones are pretty close to being my favorite. Make sure to seal them well, otherwise the filling goes everywhere but staying inside.

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Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

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.

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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!

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