Category Archives: Appetizer

Greek Gazpacho

Posted on August 10, 2011 | 5 Comments

One of the things I love most in life is stumbling upon a new group of friends. But what I love even more is when this happens completely by surprise. When David and I moved from NYC to Westchester and then from Westchester to Connecticut, we had enough people in our lives between families and existing friends who live in that close-enough radius so we didn’t feel isolated. But we didn’t exactly know people here either. That is changing for me after joining a new gym.

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Posted in Appetizer, Low-Fat, Lunch, Mediterranean, Soup, Summer, Tomatoes, Vegetarian

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Cool Avocado Soup with Spicy Shrimp and Chili-Lime Pepitas

Posted on July 14, 2011 | 1 Comment

Need a new way to beat the heat, other than cranking up the AC, jumping in your neighbors kiddie pool or sticking your head in the freezer? I’m telling you, you’ll cool right off with this refreshing, stunning, deeply flavored avocado soup. With a slice of grilled bread, or a cob of corn and a salad, this makes a wonderfully filling yet light summer meal or impressive first course. Though, there is always the garden hose …

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Posted in Appetizer, Mexican, Shrimp, Soup, Summer

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Roasted Tomato Salsa

Posted on May 10, 2011 | 2 Comments

I’ve added another celebrity chef to my foodie-crush list – Rick Bayless. I embarrassingly must admit my tendency toward having Food Network tunnel vision left me in the dark when it came to this Mexican foodie genius. While I was busy pouring over Mario’s and Giada’s and Lidia’s latest, I’d been remiss in even watching this guy win Bravo’s Top Chef Masters! It if weren’t for my sister gifting me one of his books for my birthday, I’d have missed out on a summer full of inventive salsas, endless guacamole iterations and a sea of supremely stellar Mexican recipes.

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Posted in Appetizer, Gluten-Free, Mexican, Tomatoes, Vegetarian

Spring Pea Dip with Artichokes, Mint and Feta

Posted on April 28, 2011 | 6 Comments

Upon suggesting bringing this dish to our family’s pot-luck Easter party, I was met with a chorus of grumbles, whines and complaints. Pea dip? Sounds more like baby food than an appetizer. Can’t you make guacamole instead? But I was not deterred. I wanted to bring something unique and seasonal and while guacamole reigns king all summer, I knew this dish completely fit the bill.

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Posted in Appetizer, Gluten-Free

Party Hummus

Posted on March 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

This hummus is a lot of fun. The addition of walnuts and red pepper flakes makes it unique, and the vibrant garnish of chopped kalamata olives, chickpeas, and parsley is a party in and of itself. It’s perfect as an appetizer for a large group (though I’d recommend doubling or tripling the recipe) or even for a party of two, as David (my husband) and I were the other night.

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Posted in Appetizer, Gluten-Free, Mediterranean, Vegetarian

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Peanut Sesame Noodles

Posted on January 22, 2011 | 3 Comments

Photo featured on Foodgawker.com, 1/23/11 & Photograzing 2/18/11

This simple, nearly foolproof recipe yields outstanding cold sesame noodles with a nice spicy kick. You don’t have to serve them cold, I prefer mine at room temperature, which is why I’m calling these ‘peanut sesame noodles.’ ‘Room temperature sesame noodles’ doesn’t quite work.

This tasty dish is really versatile; it’s great as an appetizer for an Asian-inspired meal, it’s a delicious side dish for chicken, pork, fish, or even duck, (see forthcoming post) which is how I incorporated it.

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Posted in Appetizer, Asian, Vegetarian

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