Foodie Friday: Up Your Appetizer Game

{ Scott & Joe's }

It's been a minute since I did a Foodie Friday. With the Super Bowl this weekend, it's  time for some appetizer inspiration. Not everyone can be as lucky as I, and have a gourmet cheese shop like Scott & Joe's a hop away.  Scott creates a chic charcuterie board! You can find them at Scott & Joes. For those of you doing your own thing, these recipes will score big!

Hot Honey & Bacon Whipped Goat Cheese

I am not a huge dip person, with all of that double dipping, you know. But I do love goat cheese, bacon and hot honey. So this recipe will be made soon.

How Sweet Eats

Ahi Tuna Wonton Nachos

This will be an unexpected offering. It's a gourmet spin on the classic.

Cooking With Cocktail Rings

Wild Mushroom And Chorizo Queso Fundido

Ooey Gooey melted warm cheese is always delicious. Add sauteed mushrooms and sausage to it, and you have something so much better.

Kitchen Konfidence

Steak Frites Bites

The clsassic French dinner can also be a genius appetizer. It's made with frozen fries and flank steak.

Delish

Meatball Parm Skewers

How attractive are these? A touch of fresh basil really elevates this appetizer.

Punchfork

 Mini Ham & Cheese Sliders

These are said to be cheesy, addictive, and oh so good. Great for a crowd.

I Am A Food Blog

Mini Chicken & Waffles

This is a fun twist on a classic. Make plenty. These will really score at your party.
The Cookie Rookie

Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms

I have made these, and they are delicious.

Half Baked Harvest

Charcuterie Cups

How clever are these? If you are like me and want to do as much as you can before the party begins, this is what to make.

Foxes Love Lemons

Dirty Martini Dip Stuffed Potatoes

Don't you just love the title of these baby bite sized potatoes? And yes, the recipe calls for everything in your fave martini!

Food & Wine

Mini Crab Cakes in Mango Habanero Aioli

People LOVE crab cakes, at least my people do. Fresh crab is best, but a good quality canned crab works, too. You can find an array of appetizer presentation spoons at Amazon. And that Aioli? It's Stonewall Kitchen's. You can get that at Amazon, too.

The Starving Chef 

Baked Garlic Parmesan Boneless Wings

I have never had a wing, and it is not on my list for the future. But if I was to have one, rest assured it would be boneless.

Half Baked Harvest

Bacon Wrapped Dates With Goat Cheese

Soft and melty goat cheese inside a plumped up date with smoky and salty bacon.....now that is the perfect sweet and savory bite.

Pinch of Yum

Roasted Winter Vegetable Kabobs With Sesame Tahini Dipping Sauce

It's a smart idea to have a vegetarian choice for your guests. I have made this sauce, and it is yummy! The bamboo skewers are the best. Flind them at Amazon

Hello Veggie

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Make Me A Margarita & Some Guacamole, Too

Soup's On! Recipes & More

 When the weather is this cold, nothing sounds better than a cup or bowl of homemade soup. It's real comfort food, and will warm you up in no time.  I'm in the mood for some right now. These are the recipes that tempted my taste buds. Enjoy!

Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup

First of all, this soup has no cream or milk in it at all. It gets the creaminess from the cauliflower after it is roasted. There's also 1/3 cup of greek yogurt in it. Healthy and delicious? Count me in.

Broma Bakery

Salsa Verde Tortilla Soup

This recipe calls for lots of veggies, seasonings, chunky red salsa, smoky salsa verde, and oodles of toppings. If you add chicken or shrimp, it becomes a delicious main course.

Half Baked Harvest

The Best Lentil Soup

I haven't tried this one yet, the title is the  recipe author's. But it sure does look hearty and delicious. I might swap out the carrots for sweet potatoes. They are equally healthy. The sweet potatoes will add a touch of sweetness for balance.

Love and Lemons

Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup

Hearty and vegetarian, this soup is best enjoyed with  crusty warm bread. It's made with bella mushrooms, heavy cream, greated parm, carrots, wild rice and plenty of seasoning.

Dishing Out Health

Feel Better Chicken Soup

You have heard of "chicken soup" for the soul. Well, this recipe is "chicken soup" for what ails you. The chicken soup that I make is much like this, except there is added turmeric powder. And you simply can't put enough lemon or garlic in it. I have cured Covid with this recipe!

Feasting at Home

Simple Seafood Bisque

This recipe looks, feels, and tastes super fancy. Yet it takes zero fuss. I will add that it is ultra rich with butter, heavy cream, and half and half. It wouldn't be bisque without it!

The Modern Proper

The Perfect French Onion Soup

My favorite soup of all time. This recipe is really quite simple. And of course gooey Gruyere cheese is involved!

What's Gabby Cooking

You will find a great set of Mini Individual Copper  Cocoettes at Williams Sonoma on sale!

Brie & Cheddar Butternut Squash Beer Soup

This soup is made for dipping and dunking soft pretzels! Besides all of the gooey cheese, there are veggies, too. I think I have to make this soon.

Half Baked Harvest

Fully Loaded Baked Potato Soup

If you love a loaded baked potato, you will enjoy this recipe. In fact, the entire family will love it.

What's Gabby Cooking

Souped Up Tomato Soup

It's safe to say the I "soup up" everything I make. Following a recipe to the teaspoon is not my thing. So naturally, this recipe caught my eye. But I would not change a thing about the side of grilled cheese!

Food52

If you are serving Soup & Sandwich like the recipe above, Crate & Barrel has a stylish porcelain set on sale.

Corn Chicken Chowder

Another soup that uses Geek Yogurt instead of heavy cream or flour to thicken this soup. So we can call this creamy concoction healthy!

Well Plated

Sur La Table has an Immersion Blender on sale. They are very handy in making creamy soups.

Spicy Peanut Soup With Sweet Potato and Kale

This soup is comforting and simply delicious. And if you don't care for kale, like me, just swap it our for spinach. It features coconut milk, peanuts and peanut butter. I'm sold! 

Pinch of Yum

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When In Doubt, Gift Food

Back To Baking - Sweet Edition

The first week of autumn has been dreary and a touch cooler here in the Hudson Valley. We have even slept with the windows open! All of that puts me in the mood to bake. How about you? This recipe roundup features fall flavors with seasonal scents. I have added some baking tools, because my kitchen could use some.

Baked Maple Bacon Donuts

I could not think of a better way to start the day! Actually, I could eat one at any time of the day.

Half Baked Harvest

Double Decker Pecan Cheesecake Pie

Creamy, sweet, and nutty. What a terrific trio of textures and flavors!

Southern Living

All American Deep Dish Cinnamon Apple Pie

Nothing is more disappointing than a skinny apple pie without cinnamon! Deep dish pizzas and pies are my jam. This recipe states that it is even better the next day, so plan ahead.

Food & Wine

Kaloh Lidded Mixing Bowl Set

Designed by Aaron Probyn. It's a chic and colorful set of five bowls.

West Elm

Pumpkin Scones With Maple Glaze
Vegan & Gluten Free

These are a Starbucks copycat. I have not had the real thing, but these scones look and sound delish!

Heather Christo

French Tart Baking Kit

A great gift for the baker or francophile. Ships for free from.....

Etsy

Richard Sax's Chocolate Cloud Cake

Oh my! Fluffly and sweet meringue is folded into the rest of the ingredients to make this decadent cloud like cake.

Food52

KitchenAid® Design Series Evergreen

 Stand Mixer

Oh how beautiful! Brand new style for 2024-25. And if the price is not in the budget. QVC has some Stand Mixers on sale,

Williams Sonoma

Caramel Apple Upside Down Cake
This looks like a fall must make!   It's a combination of a soft cinnamon spice cake with  a buttery caramized apples. The juices seep down into the cake making it super moist and flavorful. 

Sally's Baking Addiction

Personalized Chef Ornament

A fab find for the baker in your life. Now on sale for under $20.

Etsy

Apple Cider Layer Cake With Spiced  Salted Caramel Swiss Meringue Buttercream

Just give me a spoon for that frosting! A showstopping cake that says fall all over it. Inside you will find thick layers of chocolate and vanilla buttercream.

Cloudy Kitchen

Salted Caramel Pie

I have not heard of this kind of pie, but it sure sounds fab! If you can believe it is the salt that makes it sweeter.

Food & Wine

Marble & Wood Rotating Cake Plate

How beautiful! The rotating marble stand makes it a terrific tool for frosting a cake. Cake Cloche sold separately. 

Food52

 

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Cupcakes 

What's better than an old fashioned cupcake? One that is stuffed with frosting and a little bourbon! Top it all off with a thick coating of Butter Pecan icing, and you have a real fall treat. 

Half Baked Harvest

Maple -Bourbon Banana Pudding Cake
It's not much to look at, but the flavor profile sounds so delicious.

Food & Wine

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Back To Baking: The Sweet & The Savory

 

Serve Up A Summer Salad: Recipes & More

 

This week has been so hot, salads were our "go to" dinners. With all of the fresh produce and fruit, why not? Here's inspiration for your own warm weather meals and side dishes. I've included some really handy tools of the trade, too. Enjoy!

Tomato, Peach & Burrata Salad

This recipe is said to be simple to throw together. I am interested in the tangy honey vinaigrette.

Half Baked Harvest 

Mario Luca Giusti Salad Bowls

Designer of the prettiest acrylic tabletop designs ever! I have rarely seen them go on sale. But you will find his entire line 30% off now at....

Horchow

Mediterranean Wedge Salad

Could there be a better salad to eat with a grilled steak? This recipe is a modern twist on the classic. The dressing is creamy feta.

The Modern Proper

Tomato Knife

I need one of these. It's only sold at....

Williams Sonoma

Blackberry Salad W/Arugula & Basil
So summery and healthy, too. It's tossed up with a Maple Sweetened Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Feasting At Home

Strawberry Buratte Salad

The recipe author says it best: "Arugula with juicy strawberries, crisp cucumbers, creamy burrata cheese, pickled red onions, candied pecans, fresh basil, and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette." 

Two Peas & Their Pod

Insalata Siciliana

What a gorgeous salad! It's really Sicily on a plate. The recipe blends the sweetness of oranges, with the sharpness of red onions, and briny olives. Get those super thin onion slices with the OXO Chef's Mandoline.

Williams Sonoma

Individual Acrylic Salad Cup Set

This is so cleverly chic! It's an stylish way to serve a salad to a crowd. You get the cups, a clear mini fork, and best of all, a vial for individual salad dressing. servings.  The salad won't get soggy! This set will earn you hostess with the mostess status!

The Pretty Party Boxx Etsy

Gorgonzola Crusted Steak Salads
This is the way to eat a steak in the summer. If you wish, serve the steak with a little melty cheese warm, over the cool crisp veg.

How Sweet Eats

OXO Good Grips Large Salad Spinner

One of these days, I am going to order one of these. I believe a spinner is the secret to crisper salads.

Amazon

Basil Green Goddess Dressing
Excited about this recipe. I have oodles of fresh basil growing in the garden. It's herbaceous, creamy and fresh!

Skinny Taste

Summer Nicoise Salad

One of my favorites. Easier for some, this recipe calls for canned tuna. I would likely use fresh tuna, but suit yourself. YUM!

Half Baked Harvest

Bento Box Square Serving Bowl

Love this unexpected serving dish for salads, pasta and more. A few of these would look fab on a buffet or kitchen island. It's glazed stoneware, and dishwasher and microwave safe. $16.95

CB2

Pesto Zoodle Salad

Isn't this stunningly beautiful? Fresh mozzarella, zucchini zoodles ( which I have never made ) roasted pine nuts, cherry tomatoes, and homemade pesto. How could this be anything but good?

The Modern Proper

Garden Vegetable Apron

Made from 100% organic cotton.

Catherine J Designs

Pesto Caprese Panzanella Salad
Pesto changes up this salad staple for Summer. And could grilled bread not be one of the best things ever?

Broma Bakery

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