All posts tagged: easy appetizer

Caprese Tulips

Cherry Tomato Caprese Lollipops / Caprese Tulips

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This is a fun take on the classic caprese salad. These neat little “tulips” are fun to make, fun to eat, and beautiful for parties. One of the ingredients is tapenade, which is a mixture of olives and anchovy. You can find this at the European aisle at the market. You can also make them at home. Alton Brown has an easy recipe on the Food Network website. I can’t take credit for this recipe because this is my sister did all the work. I did most of the eating. Enjoy! 1 package of cherry tomatoes 1 small jar of tapenade Bocconcini (baby mozzarella), cut into 1/2 inch cubes good olive oil basil leaves toothpicks 1. With a sharp knife, remove the top 1/2 inch of each tomato. Using a lemon baller or a small metal spoon, scoop out the inside of the tomato, careful not to tear the “shell.” 2. Place the bocconcini inside the tomato, with the top portion of it sticking out. Drizzle a tiny bit of olive oil on top. Scoop …

Beer Battered Calamari

Beer Battered Calamari

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I accidentally found this recipe while I was looking for a salt and pepper squid recipe. I like the idea of adding beer, as it makes the calamari extra crispy. Enjoy! 1 lb fresh or frozen squid, cut into rings (like an onion ring) 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice plus more for serving Salt and pepper 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne) 1 cup cold beer Frying oil Parsley leafs to garnish 1. Season your calamari rings with lemon juice, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Set aside. 2. In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of flour, 1 and 1/2 tsp salt, olive oil and beer. Stir until it becomes a smooth paste. 3. Pour 2 inches of frying oil into pan with high heat. 4. Pour the remaining cup of flour onto a plate. Dip the calamari to the dry flour and coat evenly, then to the better batter, coat evenly. Finally, drop into the hot oil and fry until the batter turns golden brown, …

Thai Chicken Wings

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Thai food – the hot, exotic cuisine of South East Asia. Thai food are oftens prepared with very strong, wakes-your-palate ingredients. While most Thai recipes tend to sway on the simplicity side, there is a complex harmonization and layers of flavors, a real treat for the taste senses. For this recipe, I seared chicken wings, then baked it in the oven at 400 degrees for a healthier alternative to the popular fried wings. Then, I dressed the wings in a creamy peanut butter, coconut milk and Thai hot chili sauce. The result was amazing. RECIPE 3 pounds chicken wings 3 tbs of melted coconut oil or vegetable oil 1/2 cup canned coconut milk 1/4 cup creamy peanut butter, I prefer Reese’s brand 1 cup thai chili sauce 2 tbs fish sauce 1 tbs Sriracha, plus more if you prefer spicy wings 2 tbs lime juice or 1 tbs rice vinegar 2 tbs grated ginger 1 lbs finely chopped shallots 2 tbs sugar 1 tbs chopped lemon grass, fresh or frozen and thawed 1. Season your chicken with salt and pepper, 1 tbs …