Appetizer Recipes
Maple Cinnamon Roasted Garbanzos
Recently, I posted my new and improved technique for roasting garbanzo beans–also known as chickpeas. Additionally, I had fun experimenting with roasting various other types of beans lurking in my pantry. (To see the details, click here.) Somewhere between the black eyed peas and the butter beans, My Whole Food Life shared her sweeter version of this…
Baked Cheddar Spinach Squares
Easy, cheesy spinach squares are a retro appetizer that make an equally delicious side dish. The squares may be baked ahead and reheated and freeze well too. The look of today’s menu item may remind you of a crustless quiche. In this recipe, however, two eggs serve as a binder for the remaining ingredients…
Fiery Grilled Shrimp
Asian and Cajun flavors come together and create new levels of flavor in this prep-ahead recipe that’s delicious as an appetizer or entree. You know how when you eat something at a friend’s house that is so delicious you hope to leave with the recipe? This is one of those recipes. When I first…
Roasted Peel-and-Eat Shrimp with Homemade Cocktail Sauce
Easy to make and so much fun to eat. This recipe can be made with shrimp that has already been peeled and deveined. Simply adjust the seasoning amount, as noted. There are certain foods my family refers to a “fun foods”. Some of these include crabs, artichokes and anything for which we can use…
Salted Lime Baked Corn Tortillas Chips
The salted, lime-infused crunch of a favorite store-bought tortilla chip is easy to recreate at home with a short list of ingredients and in minimal time. My family adores the store-bought “hint of lime” tortilla chips. As I was making my Tex-Mex Chopped Salad one evening, which includes a crunchy element on top, I realized…
Indian-Spiced Roasted Garbanzos
Whether you call them garbanzo beans or chick peas, they make a perfect snack food when roasted. They are an inexpensive, high-protein snack and a crunchy, low-fat alternative to croutons in a salad. Put out a pre-dinner bowl when company arrives. From boring can of beans to clever hors d’oeuvres…who knew?? A simple mixture of…
Apricot Ginger Shrimp Kabobs
Tender shrimp with Asian-inspired flavor is easy to prepare, quick to cook, and makes a popular appetizer or entree. At a cookout years ago, my friend Judy dished up grilled shrimp that was absolutely delicious: light tasting and tender with just a hint of sweetness. I jotted down the recipe, which was mayonnaise-based…
Fruit Rainbow
You can literally eat the rainbow with this vibrant fruit platter, which is sure to be a hit at backyard cookouts, birthday parties, and festive meals throughout the year. Roy G. Biv. I can remember the day my grandmother taught me that name as a way to remember the colors of the rainbow. Red, Orange,…
Kale, Leek and Gorgonzola Swirls
These mouth-watering bites look complicated but are easy to make–and a sure-fire hit! This recipe was passed along by Beth Rice, an avid cook and reader of The Fountain Avenue Kitchen. It first caught my attention because I love kale. When I saw gorgonzola in the recipe, I was sold! Another reason I wanted…
Cauliflower-Spinach Mini Pizzas
After making pizza with a cauliflower crust and being amazed at how delicious it is, I was inspired to fiddle with the recipe a bit. Spinach seemed like a perfect partner to the cauliflower and the idea of bite-size pizzas seemed fun. Depending on how thin I spread the “crust” prior to baking, I could…
Speedy Guacamole
Homemade guacamole can be made in a flash using your favorite salsa. If you just need a little, cut the recipe in half; double it if you are feeding a crowd. Either way, you can whip this up in no time! Try this on Mexican Pizzas for a real slice of heaven!
Smashed Roasted Potatoes (2 Ways)
In my family, we have those who adore sweet potatoes and those who prefer the white varieties. So, I often make oven fries two ways to please everyone. (I like them both!) This addictive spin on an oven fry delivers a creamy inside and a little crunch on the outside. The prep may be done…
