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Appetizers, Dips & Small Bites

Four Cheesy Pleasey Recipes

Wisconsin ~ from whence my folks hail. We grew up on cheese. Not great cheese; it was mostly crummy cheap stuff back then. But cheese still makes me happy. And it’s an easy cooking ingredient. My gift to you… a roundup of four keeper cheese recipes.

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Feta Psiti – Greek Oven Baked Feta

Feta is the flavor of Greece. For the uninitiated, it’s slightly pungent, on the dryer side, crumbly, soft, and versatile as all get-out. This night, we made Psiti – Oven Baked Feta, an appetizer served with crusty bread.

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The Secret Ingredient Guacamole Recipe of Rancho La Puerta

A decade ago, there was an office building on my route to work that had a giant banner: a cutie pie baby with green mush on his face and the proclamation, “Give Peas A Chance.” THAT is a fun foodie message. And now, it’s come full circle to my time at Rancho La Puerta when [...]

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Seared Scallops with Orange-Ginger Sauce

If New Year’s Eve is a night when you want to cook something lovely, flavorful, but light, try Seared Scallops with Orange-Ginger Sauce. We had them as an appetizer. But over a bed of rice with baby greens for a salad,… LOVELY.

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Zucchini Cheese Tart

What an appetizer! More like an appetite-spoiler… at THIS party (Gourmet Club), the plan is to cook and eat for HOURS. How would that be possible if we started off with this flaky, cheesy, mustardy, bubbly hot Zucchini Cheese Tart?

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Puff Pastry Straws with Truffles ~ In Erika’s Kitchen

This past weekend was Trufflepalooza, the brainchild of blogger Erika of In Erika’s Kitchen. It’s a private party, packed with her friends, family, fellow bloggers and members of the media. The occasion? Erika’s love o’ the truffle, and her showcase of recipes featuring Les Truff, including these crispy beauties, Puff Pastry Straws with Truffles.

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Champinones Rellenos ~ Guest Post by Julieta of Lindaraxa’s Garden

FROM JULIETA: I am delighted that Patti has asked me to share this easy tapas recipe for Stuffed Mushrooms, or Champinones Rellenos, with her readers. My name is Julieta and I blog about my cooking and recipes at Lindaraxa’s Garden.

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Grilled Mushroom and Ham Crostini

If I may give some life advice… whenever you find yourself in need of a mood lift, throw a potluck dinner party. People like to contribute, they really do. Invite an interesting mix of friends, hand out food assignments (appetizer, side dish, salad, vegetable, dessert) – the host does the entrée. Wine tends to arrive [...]

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Baked Olives in Cheese Appetizer

Another Wisconsin inspiration. Dinner party at Barbara and David’s, the Wisc. connection is Barbara. Her mom was from Kewaunee, Wisc. My parents are both from Kewaunee, Wisc. If this doesn’t sound odd, we all live in Los Angeles, including the folks, who only reconnected when we kids made the hometown discovery. Kewaunee is an teensy [...]

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Cucumber, Cream Cheese and Lox ~ a Foolproof Appetizer

If you’re one of those people who claims to not cook, or thinks they cannot cook, this recipe is for you. Don’t be “one of those” who stop at Whole Foods for something from the deli to bring to a potluck. Or a frozen Trader Joes fan. To a party?? Be a hero; bring homemade, [...]

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Guest Post by Jen at Domestic Divas – "White Trash" Bacon & Egg Salad Sandwiches

From Jen: This year, I had the pleasure of volunteering with Patti at the Stir It 28 Fundraiser for Haiti, where I provided two dishes, one of which was my “White Trash” Bacon & Egg Salad Sandwiches. I created this recipe specially for Stir It 28, and Patti loved it so much, she asked me [...]

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Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp Appetizer

Four couples who like to cook. And drink. And travel. Every few months, we gather at someone’s home for our Gourmet Club dinner cook-a-thon. The hosts select the theme and divvy up potluck assignments. We schlep bags of ingredients, piles of utensils, then make ourselves at home for platters, serving pieces. Every surface is used, [...]

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Darn Good Guacamole

The Perfect Guacamole recipe title prompted me to quietly tear it from the dentist office magazine. Yes, I do that sometimes, but only an emergency like this one.

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← Previous Entries

Appetizers, Dips & Small Bites

Four Cheesy Pleasey Recipes

Feta Psiti – Greek Oven Baked Feta

The Secret Ingredient Guacamole Recipe of Rancho La Puerta

Seared Scallops with Orange-Ginger Sauce

Zucchini Cheese Tart

Puff Pastry Straws with Truffles ~ In Erika’s Kitchen

Champinones Rellenos ~ Guest Post by Julieta of Lindaraxa’s Garden

Grilled Mushroom and Ham Crostini

Baked Olives in Cheese Appetizer

Cucumber, Cream Cheese and Lox ~ a Foolproof Appetizer

Guest Post by Jen at Domestic Divas – "White Trash" Bacon & Egg Salad Sandwiches

Hawaiian Coconut Shrimp Appetizer

Darn Good Guacamole

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