Appetizer Recipes

Maple Tamari Roasted Almonds and Cashews

These tasty little bites are a sweet-and-savory spin on my classic recipe for Tamari Almonds.  People often use tamari as a gluten-free option to soy sauce, but after reading the label of the bottle of tamari I had in my cupboard–and seeing wheat as an ingredient–I did a little more investigating. By way of The Kitchn, I found…

3-Ingredient Mexican Cheese Bites

  A curious thing happened a few days after my Mango Chicken Chili recipe appeared in this column a few months back. The chili recipe included mango salsa as a key ingredient. Figuring this might not be a regular grocery list item for many readers, I mentioned two reliable brands. Several days later, I received…

Tamari Almonds

Simple to make and delicious to eat, these flavorful almonds offer a satisfying crunch and hint of saltiness with just two ingredients. Is is possible that Christmas is behind us and a new year is just a day away? Where does the time go? For all those who celebrated, I hope your day was merry.…

Baked Mozzarella Sticks

I’m a snacker.  Though I never miss a meal, I still get hungry between those meals.  Like many, I’m most prone to absent-minded grazing in the hour or two before dinner, when salty or savory high-carb snacks seem irresistible. Baked Mozzarella Sticks are a pre-dinner nibble I love for several reasons.  First, the protein in…

Crispy Baked Eggplant

Perfect all by themselves or dipped in your favorite marinara sauce, these tasty bites often vanish straight from the baking sheet in our house! My family always felt lukewarm towards eggplantโ€ฆuntil this recipe. And itโ€™s easy! Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of Parmesan, crumbs, and seasoning. Then roast the pieces…

Grilled Apricot Shrimp with Harissa Aioli

These flavor-packed shrimp will impress all who try. They’re equally perfect as an entree or appetizer and can be enjoyed hot off the grill or at room temperature.       From week to week I toilโ€”probably longer than I should๏ผover which recipes to share on this page. The decision becomes more difficult when a…

Grilled Chicken Kabobs

First, I must apologize to the readers who have subscribed to receive recipe posts via email. Yesterday, I inadvertently sent a draft of this post.   Although I am sure to make an occasional ‘woops’ (my family would tease that I make them daily!), it is truly my goal not to send pointless emails. The…

Barbecued Bean Salad

A crowd-pleasing, family-friendly alternative to baked beans, this protein-rich salad can be prepared in advance and the flavor improves over time.   As I walked to school with my younger son one morning last month, he mentioned that his 6th grade history classโ€™s Colonial unit would be culminating with a special lunch. All students were…

Baked Cheddar Broccoli Rice Cups

Convenient shortcuts and great taste highlight this veggie-packed recipe that’s destined to become a family favorite!   What started as a way to use the Minute rice my husband bought in place of long grain rice has become something of a sensation. When I shared this recipe shortly after I began The Fountain Avenue Kitchen,…

Buffalo Wing Hummus

Two fan favorite appetizers collide in this winning dip, which offers wholesome, snack-worthy appeal. Depending on oneโ€™s perspective, the lure of Super Bowl Sunday might be the good eats, funny commercials, big-name halftime show or, of course, the football! Whether you are in it for the action between the goal posts or the general game…

Loaded Dinner Nachos

You could say it was love after the first neatball!  In all seriousness, I was truly skeptical when Laura Lapp first offered me a bite of the healthy meat alternative that she crafted in her kitchen.  But it tasted great. By way of background, Laura began her experimentation process to address her two daughters’ decision…

Farmhouse Roasted Chestnuts

Lightly salted, these chestnuts are delicious served warm and straight from the shell. They’re perfect for Thanksgiving stuffing and soups too!   Autumn is the time of year when the American Chestnut Trees in the northeast drop the nuts from their prickly burrs. As an interesting bit of trivia, there are typically three chestnuts per…

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