Appetizers Archives - Crafty Cooking Mama

Mahon-Menorca Cheese Tapas & Wine Pairings

March 13, 2018 by Amanda Leave a Comment

This post was sponsored by Mahon-Menorca Cheese. As always, all thoughts & opinions are my own. #MahonCheese

Introducing Mahon-Menorca Cheese from the Island of Menorca! Find some new taste inspiration – plus wine pairings & tapas!

Cheese – making & tasting – is one of the most delicious forms of art.

The more you search, the more you explore, the more you find. It’s a taste exploration I will never tire of!

I had the recent pleasure of tasting a new cheese – one I was completely unfamiliar with. This is always so exciting to me!

Introducing Mahon-Menorca Cheese. This cheese is ONLY made on the Island of Menorca, the Baleric Islands, Spain. Mahon-Menorca Cheese is a product with Protected Designation of Origin (P.D.O). To qualify for a P.D.O, the product must have qualities and characteristics which are essentially due to it’s geographical area of production. It must also be produced, processed and prepared exclusively within that area.

The history of cheese on Menorca dates back to prehistoric times. The process of making Mahon-Menorca Cheese has remained very much unchanged the past thousand years. Fresh milk is used from livestock grazing freely within the landscape of Menorcan countryside. After that the Menorcan wind, humidity and sunlight – together with the human element – give the cheese it’s unmistakable flavor.

There are 3 varieties of Mahon-Menorca Cheese:

Tender : Soft. Yellowish-white in color, with very little developed crust. Soft & creamy. It’s flavor is milky with a slight reminiscence of butter and an acidulous touch.

Semi Cured : Characteristic and unmistakable. The rind is an orange color or brownish-grey if it is a farmhouse cheese. It has a firm texture and is easily sliced and it is a yellowish/ivory colour. It has a variable number of small holes, distributed irregularly. It’s milky taste & flavors are more developed, with slight buttery reminiscences of toasted nuts & dried fruit. It presents a moderately persistent aftertaste.

Cured : A delicacy for cheese lovers. It’s texture is firm and hard, less creamy and in an advanced curing state it breaks & flakes upon being cut. The taste and aroma are very developed, complex and intense with a long persistent aftertaste. Has hints of old wood, tanned leather or a wine cellar.

When tasting new cheeses – I always opt for simplicity first. Cheese with an appropriate wine pairing. I found Spanish Tempranillo and Rioja wines to be a lovely match for all three cheeses.

I found the tender cheese to be a lovely light bite to eat drizzled with local raw honey and paired with wine.

I was inspired by a recipe from Mahon-Menorca Cheese. This tasty little tapa was simple to put together – semi cured cheese, cherry tomatoes and a quick olive tapenade.

As for the Cured Mahon-Menorca Cheese, I enjoyed each glorious nibble of it with a glass of wine. I loved all varieties of Mahon-Menorca Cheese – but the cured was definitely my favorite!

Here’s to all things cheeeeese!

Buen provecho!

Amanda ♥

You can find Mahon-Menorca in the USA at Fairway, West Side Market, Gourmet Garage, Saveway, Wholefoods, Kroger, Costco, Central Markets, Central and Town & Country Markets or your local cheesemonger.

Visit Mahon-Menorca for more information, inspiration & recipes.

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Mahon-Menorca Cheese Tapas

A simple tapa made with Mahon-Menorca Cheese, tomatoes & olive tapenade!

Prep Time15 mins

Total Time15 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 16 tapas

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

Semi-Cured Mahon-Menorca Cheese 16 cubes
16 cherry tomatoes
1 tablespoon good quality olive oil
1/4 teaspoon Herbs De Provence dried
pinch of salt & pepper
1/3 cup sliced black olives
1 tablespoon good quality olive oil
pinch of salt
16 skewers

Instructions

Cube cheese, set aside.
Rinse tomatoes. Slice off just the tip of the top of the tomato - giving you a flat surface.
In a small bowl, toss the tomatoes with the olive oil, Herbs De Provence, salt & pepper. Set aside.
For the tapenade, crush the olives, olive oil and salt to make a puree. I used a mortal & pestle.
Assemble. Cube of cheese on the bottom, place a tomato on top. Pierce skewer thru center. Place on serving plate and drizzle any olive oil mixture over tops. Spoon olive tapenade on top of tomatoes.
Enjoy!

Baked Cheddar Cheese & Black Pepper Spread

December 11, 2017 by Amanda 1 Comment

This post was sponsored by Heluva Good! Cheese as part of an Influence Central campaign and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

This quick, simple and delicious Baked Cheddar & Black Pepper Spread takes only four ingredients and just a few minutes to put together!

I entertain a lot. Holidays, football games, cookouts – we always have company. We also have a lot of unplanned, drop in kind of company. Either or, I’m always ready to host – I love it!

There are foods I always have on hand for company. Cheese is on top of the list. A simple cheese tray is always a hit – and tends to be the first thing to be cleared off the table.

Besides a cheese tray, there are so many other options for quick, throw together hors d’oeuvres & bites to eat with the almighty cheese.

I LOVE and swear by Heluva Good!® Cheese. Heluva Good! Cheese blocks are always in my fridge – be it for daily snacks for the family or a part of a food spread for company.

Heluva Good! Cheese is loaded with serious mouthwatering flavor. As always – it’s gluten free, made with real milk and a great source of protein and calcium!

Heluva Good! Cheese comes in an assortment of delicious flavors:

Colby Jack
Pepper Jack
Extra Sharp Cheddar
Sharp Cheddar
White Extra Sharp Cheddar
White Sharp Cheddar
White Mild Cheddar
Muenster
Monterey Jack
Special Reserve Extra Sharp Cheddar

I have many, many cheesy recipes I make – but today I’m talking about just one. Warm Cheddar & Black Pepper Spread. It’s a simple recipe that focuses on just two flavors – cheddar cheese & black pepper. No spices, no dash of this or that – no distractions. This is the real deal here. That being said – you want to use the best cheese – yup – Heluva Good! Cheese & a freshly ground black pepper. The combination of the two is unbelievably delicious.

This spread couldn’t be any simpler to make. It takes only four ingredients and a few minutes to put together. Shred your cheese, grind in the black pepper and mix in real mayo (none of that sweet stuff) and sour cream. Throw it in the oven and bake until the top is lightly golden brown.

This stuff will be like molten lava – so resist the temptation to dip right in. Let it sit for 10 minutes before serving.

I serve this with crackers, hard pretzels, soft pretzels, baguette slices, pita slices – heck, I could eat it right off a spoon. I will also mention that this cheesy concoction is fabulous served over a juicy chicken breast – but that’s for another time.

I always find a big selection of Heluva Good! Cheese at my local Walmart. They already have great prices – but now you can save even more! Head over to Ibotta to grab this deal now – limited quantities are available!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Stay cheesy, my friends 😉

Amanda ♥

Head over to Heluva Good! Cheese for all things cheese inspiration!

Don’t forget to grab that Ibotta offer at Walmart!

Print Recipe

Baked Cheddar & Black Pepper Spread

This quick, simple and delicious Baked Cheddar & Black Pepper Spread takes only four ingredients and just a few minutes to put together!

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 4 -6 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

8 oz block of Heluva Good! Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1/3 cup sour cream
1/4 cup real mayonnaise none of that sweet stuff
30 cracks fresh ground black pepper - approximately 1 teaspoon

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray an oven safe dish(es).
Shred cheddar cheese in a mixing bowl.
Grind in fresh ground black pepper, mix.
Stir in mayo & sour cream until combined.
Scrape mixture into greased dish. Bake for 15 - 20 minutes or until mixture is golden brown.
Let rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Serve with crackers, hard or soft pretzels, baguette slices, pita triangles and enjoy!

Olive Tapenade

September 5, 2017 by Amanda 3 Comments

This post has been sponsored by Pomora. All content, thoughts & opinions are always my own. This post contains affiliate links.

Try this simple & delicious Olive Tapenade made with black & kalamata olives, olive oil, capers, anchovies & garlic!

Sometimes simple recipes can be so impressive.

That’s certainly the case with this Olive Tapenade.

I’ve always been an advocate of keeping things as simple as possible in the kitchen. Life is too busy, and too short for that matter, to be fussing over extensive ingredients on a daily basis.

The key to great food made simple is keeping quality ingredients on hand.

I always keep an assortment of good olives in my fridge and in my pantry. For snacking, for meals & for quick hors d’oeuvres.

Olive oil. I thought I knew good olive oil. I always have quite a few bottles around – one for cooking, one for dipping, one for dressings. Then I was introduced to Pomora Olive Oil. I was a believer at first taste. The amount of depth & flavor in this oil – it’s like nothing I’ve tasted before.

It’s safe to say there is no turning back for me. Pomora Olive Oils are my one and only. The quality and flavor is second to none. The story of the oils is just as beautiful….

Pomora is committed to supporting small, independent growers. Their farmers have generations of experience behind them and employ traditional & sustainable farming methods. They respect the land which supports them and they take care of their employees!

Pomora has created an “Adopt An Olive Tree” program where you receive four shipments a year from your tree. These oils come from gold-medal winning, independent family growers. The flavor of the olive oil will vary each shipment – the tastes are wondrously unique to each season. {Visit here for all the details on Pomora Olive Tree Adoption}

I used good kalamata olives and black olives for this tapenade. You can use any olive that your heart desires ♥

Make your olive oil count – of course I used Pomoro Olive Oil in this recipe and it makes all the difference.

You’ll see I add anchovies to this tapenade. Trust me – add them. There is no fishy taste to this recipe – it just gives it that umami taste we all love but may not understand.

So everything goes into a food processor. Pulse, scrape, pulse. Don’t over process it. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

I made two batches – one coarser, one a bit more pureed. I suppose I preferred the one with a bit more texture, but both were so delicious I’m not sure I could choose a favorite.

I love Pomoro Olive Oils for many reasons – but at the end of the day I most appreciate the flavor for dipping and drizzling. Enjoy this 100% pure olive oil and all it’s health benefits. Taste the difference!

Thanks so much for stopping by!

Amanda ♥

Click below to learn more about Pomora!

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5 from 1 vote

Olive Tapenade

Try this simple & delicious Olive Tapenade made with black and kalamata olives, olive oil, capers, anchovies & garlic.

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 6 -8 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1 1/4 cup pitted olives - I used half Kalamata and half black
2 tablespoon Pomora Olive Oil
2 tablespoons capers
2 cloves garlic minced
2 anchovies
pinch of black pepper

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in food processor.
Process until desired consistency, stopping to scrape down sides once or twice. Do not over process.
Serve immediately with baguette slices or good crackers or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy!

Cheesy Chunky Cheddar Tuna Salad

July 31, 2017 by Amanda 3 Comments

This post was sponsored by Heluva Good! Cheese as part of an Influence Central campaign and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Try a simple twist on a classic recipe with this Cheesy Tuna Salad.

Say Cheeeeeese!

Oh, cheese, how I love you.

Let me count just a few of the ways….

Heluva Good!® Cheese, with all it’s delicious flavors, keeps my cheese snacking and serving exciting.

Let’s start it off simple.

You can NEVER go wrong with a cheese board. Served simply, in perfect bite-sized cubes. With company, accompanied by snacks and drinks – cheese stands out as the one.

Paired with fresh summer veggies, pickled goodies, cheese is still the one. Chunks of cheese with your favorite veggies on toothpicks or skewers always make an eye pleasing & delicious bite.

Then there’s one of my all time favorite cheese combos.

Tuna salad with cheddar chunks. Tuna, cheddar, mayo & perhaps a bit of relish or hard boiled egg if the mood strikes. Mix it up, serve it on a roll and you just made simple sandwich perfection.

Or serve it as a dip with chips & crackers. Try heating it up – melted cheesy goodness. Or skip the carbs and eat it in on top of sliced tomatoes, in a lettuce wrap or on top of a green salad. Any way you eat it – it’s delicious.

I love ALL the Heluva Good!® Cheese flavors! I always keep a few packs of Heluva Good! Block Cheese in my fridge for a solid snack with BIG flavor.

Not only is Heluva Good loaded with flavor – it’s also a pretty “good for you” snack. Made with milk and always gluten free – Heluva Good is loaded with calcium, lots of protein and no trans fat. It’s great to feel good about your favorite foods!

The cheese combinations you can create are endless! Grilled cheese galore, an omelette oasis or try your favorite fruits paired with cheese. Oh, and don’t get me started with cheese quesadilla ideas – I make breakfast, lunch, dinner & dessert variations!

Thanks so much for stopping by 🙂

-Amanda-

Visit Heluva Good! for more info, inspiration & all things cheese!

Are you using Ibotta yet? Grab this Heluva Good! Cheese at Walmart Ibotta Offer!

Limited quantities are available

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5 from 1 vote

Cheesy Chunky Cheddar Tuna Salad

Try a simple twist on a classic recipe with this Cheddar Cheesy Tuna Salad.

Cook Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Course: Fish &amp, Seafood

Servings: 2 -4 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

2 cans tuna 5 oz, drained
5-6 tablespoon mayonnaise
4 oz Heluva Good! cheddar cheese cube
salt & pepper to taste
optional diced celery, onions, hard boiled eggs, pickles, relish

Instructions

Mix together all ingredients and stir to combine.
Salt & pepper to taste.
Add diced celery, onions, hard boiled eggs, pickles or relish if preferred.
Serve on a roll or as a dip with chips & crackers. Try heating it up - melted cheesy goodness. Or skip the carbs and eat it in on top of sliced tomatoes, in a lettuce wrap or on top of a green salad.
Enjoy!

I found an awesome selection of Heluva Good! Cheese at my local Walmart store! Grab that Ibotta offer and head to your store today!

Flatbread Pizza & Quesadillas

May 8, 2017 by Amanda 4 Comments

This post was sponsored by Weight Watchers® International as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.

Chicken Parmesan Pizza & Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas using Flatout® Flatbreads (endorsed by Weight Watchers®). Quick, delicious & better for you meals! Oh, and I have coupons to share!

Ahhhh….warm weather and sunny days. After months of intolerable weather, there is no place I’d rather be than outside.

Some days the last thing I want to think about is dinner….and then dinner time happens. Man, I’m hungry and I got three other people to feed!

I do my best to feed my family well. A nutritious & well balanced diet is important to me. I stay away from fast foods & ready made, prepackaged meals.

In addition to a well-balanced diet, well, I’ll cut to the chase – swimsuit season is just a month away! Lighter meals are a must for me this time of the year. Baking breads & sweets all thru the winter certainly has it’s advantages & disadvantages 😉

I’ve learned a bit of meal prep is important to keep myself on track for quick & healthy meals. Nothing complex, no whole day cooking marathons. Cook up a few chicken breasts, marinate some meat so it’s ready to cook, soak and cook some beans, chop up some veggies, make some salsa – simple ingredients that can go in any direction.

I’m not big into meal planning. I enjoy being sporadic and cooking whatever strikes me. I keep a well stocked pantry and lots of fresh ingredients on hand. Food should be fun – not a scheduled chore.

Flatout® Flatbread (endorsed by Weight Watchers®) are one of my secrets to making quick meals healthy & delicious. I love these flatbreads and always keep a few varieties on hand. They’re BIG on flavor but LOW in carbs and sugar – plus they’re loaded in protein and fiber! Who doesn’t love a customized pizza or a quesadilla loaded with their favorite ingredients?! I use Flatout Light Original for quesadillas & Flatout Thin Crust Flatbread Pizza Rosemary Olive Oil for pizzas!

I use Weight Watchers® Shredded Cheese to LOAD up on my Flatbread creations. Low-fat doesn’t always mean sacrificing of flavor or scary ingredients. The only difference is Weight Watchers® cheese is made using low-fat milk.

I’ll mention snacking, because yes, we all snack. I was fortunate enough to sit in on a few dietary classes a few months ago. Snacking came up over & over again. Snacking is great – unless it becomes overindulgent. The key is a healthy snack and controlling your portion sizes. You know what was on the top five list of best snacks? Popcorn. Now we’re not talking your bucket of movie theater popcorn drenched in butter – because that’s the overindulgent part. But one serving of popcorn – that’s just about the perfect snack!

JOLLY TIME® Healthy Pop® Popcorn (endorsed by Weight Watchers®) has made snack time easy, delicious & totally foolproof. No measuring, no counting calories or carbs – the perfect portion is all ready to go for you!

Thanks so much for stopping by! I hope you enjoy these “better for you” snack & meal ideas! What are your go-to nutritious meals when pressed for time?

-Amanda-

I found everything I needed to create these delicious recipes at my local Giant Food Stores. Flatout® Flatbread (endorsed by Weight Watchers®) are located in in the deli/bakery section.

Coupon Alert

Buy any 3 participating Weight Watchers® products, save $2. Limited quantity of offers. Offer expires 5/20/17. Search for coupon by entering Weight Watchers® brand name (link below)

Visit here for Giant Foods rewards program & coupons!

Visit here for more information on Weight Watchers®, products, recipes & store locator.

I love my local Giant Food Store and their rewards card program! No longer do I have to fuss with cutting coupons – I visit their website and load coupons straight to my rewards card! This program is available at all Ahold grocery retailers: Stop & Shop, Giant Carlisle, Martin’s and Giant Landover!

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5 from 1 vote

Flatbread Chicken Parmesan Pizza

A quick, delicious & lighter pizza made with grilled chicken & Flatout® Flatbread Pizza (endorsed by Weight Watchers®)

Cook Time8 mins

Total Time8 mins

Course: dinner

Servings: 1 -2 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

Flatout® Thin Crust Flatbread Pizza Rosemary Olive Oil
cooked chicken breast cut into strips (approximately 1/4 pound)
3/4 cup shredded cheese approximately I used a blend of Parmesan & Weight Watchers® Mexican Style Blend
tomato sauce I used about 3 tablespoon
dried or fresh Italian herbs garlic powder, salt & pepper - any seasonings you prefer.

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375°F.
Place just Flatout® Thin Crust Flatbread Pizza on an aluminum foil lined cookie sheet.
Bake for 2 minutes. Remove from oven.
Layer with toppings. Layer with cheese first, then chicken, sauce, more cheese and any herbs or seasonings you'd like. Use less or more amounts of cheese, chicken, sauce to your preference.
Bake for 4-6 minutes or until cheese is melted through.
Slice & enjoy!

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Flatout Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

A quick, delicious & Cheesy Chicken Quesadilla made with grilled chicken & Flatout® Flatbread (endorsed by Weight Watchers®).

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: dinner

Servings: 1 -2 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1 Flatout® Flatbread Light Original
1 cup Weight Watchers® Mexican Blend Shredded Cheese approximately
1/4 pound cooked chicken breast cut into strips (approximately)
drizzle of olive oil
optional toppings - sour cream salsa, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, cilantro, hot sauce

Instructions

Heat up a griddle or frying pan over medium / medium-high heat.
Drizzle or spritz olive oil over cooking surface.
Fold the Flatbread in half. Fill with chicken & cheese (more or less if you'd like)
Place on griddle - cook until both sides are golden brown and cheese is melted, 3-5 minutes each side.
Serve with sour cream, salsa, tomatoes, avocado, peppers, cilantro or hot sauce if you'd like.
Enjoy!

Spanish Seafood Salad

January 3, 2017 by Amanda 9 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #KingOfFlavor #CollectiveBias

This Spanish Seafood Salad will keep your Big Game menu exciting! Loaded with shrimp, crab, octopus, fresh veggies & olives – it has fresh, bold flavor & just the right amount of heat.

It’s getting to that time of the year again! Time for friends and family to unite for football, food and fun. Time to start planning our menus for the Big Game. Snacks, finger foods, appetizers, salads, fried foods, smoked meats, desserts – it all goes!

I love entertaining and enjoy out doing myself just a little every year. There are a few foods that are favorites and must be served every year. I also have fun switching it up, keeping my guests guessing & excited about what we’re going to eat.

I already have my Big Game menu planned! I won’t share my whole menu – but – I’ll share one of my party favorites. Spanish Seafood Salad. Oh. My. Yum. I don’t make it often enough and it’s ALWAYS requested!

This Seafood Salad is simple enough to make and involves minimal cooking. Actually, you can avoid all cooking by buying precooked shrimp. This salad does involve a little dicing and chopping prep time – but it’s all worth it.

Throw together shrimp, crab meat, octopus (yes, octopus – trust me – it’s wonderful) tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives…then there’s my extra, but not so secret ingredient…

El Yucateco® Green Chile Habanero Hot Sauce. Made with fresh, hand picked green habanero peppers, garlic and select spices & seasonings. El Yucateco® contains far less vinegar then the average hot sauce giving you the true flavor of the pepper. El Yucateco® is the #1 authentic habanero hot sauce & Green Chile Habanero Hot Sauce is their #1 seller nationally!

El Yucateco® really livens this Seafood Salad up! It adds so much crisp and bold flavor, so much depth with just the perfect amount of heat.

I never go overboard when adding heat to may food. Some people do prefer things hotter, so I keep a bottle or two of hot sauce on my table for those with more adventurous palates.

Now, we’ll go back and talk about octopus for a minute. Yes, there’s octopus in this salad. I love the taste & texture the octopus gives this salad. Although most people would never guess it’s in there – I’ve tried making this salad without octopus and definitely missed it. I use canned octopus for this salad, but go ahead and use fresh if you prefer. Squid works too. The canned variety is cooked and ready to go with a little chopping. I usually find it in the ethnic or Spanish section in my grocery store.

I serve this salad with an assortment of accompaniments. It’s great eaten all alone, with a squirt of lime, with a few slices of avocado, in fresh flour tortillas, with tortilla chips, with pasta, over rice, over a simple lettuce salad – it’s all wonderful!

Hope everyone enjoys their time together this football season. Food, family, friends & football = great times ♥

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Amanda-

Head over to El Yucateco® for all the recipes, ideas and inspiration you need to plan your Big Game menu!

Print Recipe

Spanish Seafood Salad

This Spanish Seafood Salad will keep your Big Game menu exciting! Loaded with shrimp, crab, octopus, fresh veggies & olives - it has fresh, bold flavor & just the right amount of heat.

Prep Time25 mins

Total Time25 mins

Course: Fish &amp, Salad, Seafood

Servings: 12 + servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

2 pound shrimp cooked & peeled
1 1/2 pound artificial crab & lobster meat use the real stuff if you have it
4 - 4 oz. cans octopus, drained (again, if you have fresh stuff, use it)
1 1/4 cup green stuffed pimento olives halved (approx 5 1/2 oz jar)
1 large crisp green pepper diced
2 medium ripe tomatoes diced
1 medium sweet onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic minced
4 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon El Yucateco® Green Chile Habanero Hot Sauce or to taste
1/4 teaspoon salt to taste

Instructions

Add cooked & peeled shrimp to large mixing bowl.
Chop half of "crab" meat, by hand and flake the other half. Add to mixing bowl.
Chop larger chunks of octopus. Add to bowl, mix all seafood together.
Add halved olives, diced green peppers, tomatoes, onion, garlic, olive oil, El Yucateco® Green Chile Habanero Hot Sauce and salt. Mix well.
Cover bowl & let salad sit for a few hours in fridge to blend flavors.
Serve cold. This salad is wonderful by itself or with lime, avocado, salad, pasta, rice, tortilla chips, fresh flour tortillas, crackers (etc)
Enjoy!

Cucumber Hors d’Oeuvres

November 21, 2016 by Amanda 8 Comments

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #BoursinCheese #CollectiveBias

Cucumber hors d’oeuvres with Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese, smoked salmon & capers. Simple to make yet fancy & delicious!

The holiday season is among us. Yay – it really is the most wonderful time of the year!

As friends and family drop by, at times unexpected, it’s important to have an assortment of quick to assemble hors d’oeuvres & bites to eat. No one comes to my house without being fed – that’s surely the Italian in me ♥

There are always the basics you put out. Fresh veggies & dip, chips, pretzels, crackers, cubed cheese, olives. I always need something a little more…shall I say, a bit more gourmet. Something that is to be enjoyed and remembered.

I have a few tricks up my sleeve – and in my fridge. I’ve fallen in love with Boursin® Cheese and always keep a box or two in my fridge. It’s perfect for last minute entertaining or anytime snacking.

I can’t get over the Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese. So creamy, yet crumbly, with sooooo much flavor. It takes any cheese plate from basic to beautiful.

Of course I serve it on a cheese block with some good crackers. Crackers are to be expected, simple and to the point.

Then I go and take it up a notch. I throw together something a little more special, something with some wow factor, with just a few minutes of kitchen time.

All it takes is cucumber slices layered with a generous spread of Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese, a sliver of smoked salmon and a caper or two. A few simple ingredients combined create extraordinary flavors!

So be ready for your holiday company – expected or not : )

Thanks so much for stopping by!

-Amanda-

What are your favorite snacks to serve when entertaining?

Visit Boursin® Cheese for recipes, tips, products & more information.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Cucumber Hors d'Oeuvres

Cucumber hors d'oeuvres with Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese, smoked salmon & capers. Simple to make yet fancy & delicious!

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 4 -8

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1 cucumber peeled & sliced
Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese
thinly sliced smoked salmon cut into slivers
capers

Instructions

Peel & slice cucumber.
Spread a generous amount of Boursin® Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese on top of each cucumber slice.
Place a thin sliver of smoked salmon on top of cheese. If you'd like to serve it as pictured, wrap it around the bottom of a toothpick and carefully slide off.
Place a caper or two on top.
Serve & enjoy 🙂

I grab Boursin® Cheese at my local Walmart store. I found it in the gourmet cheese section nearby the deli. There are so many delicious flavors – you’ll want to try them all 🙂

Boursin® Red Chili Pepper
Boursin® Cranberry & Spice
Boursin® Basic & Chive
Boursin® Cracked Black Pepper
Boursin® Cranberry & Apple

Kale Salad with Crispy Pork Belly

September 30, 2016 by Amanda 7 Comments

This post was sponsored by Eat Smart as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own. I received product samples to facilitate my review.

I’ll admit. I don’t make salads often at home. It’s not that I don’t enjoy salads – I absolutely love them. I eat them all the time when I’m out – but at home, not so much. All the prep work for what I want as a quick meal turns me off. That’s all about to change…

Eat Smart sent me five varieties of their Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits and I loved everyone of them! I really can’t pick a favorite! Each unique salad kit has so much flavor, so much crunch – so much more than just lettuce and carrots. Perfect for an appetizer, snack, lunch or dinner. Seriously – it just got so much easier to eat a quick, nutritious and delicious meal at home.

I love greens and have been trying to work more kale into my meals. I was excited to see the Eat Smart Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Kit. Loaded with superfoods this salad contains kale, green cabbage, broccoli, brussel sprouts, chicory, roasted pumpkin seeds & dried cranberries – completed with a delicious poppy seed dressing.

I’ve heard many people say that kale is too tough for everyday salads – but there’s a simple trick to remedy that. Chop it up in small bite size pieces and toss it in dressing about ten minutes before serving. The dressing softens the kale up just enough. Luckily, the prep work here is already done 🙂

On such a green salad…I needed some fatty protein. Sorry, but not sorry.

Pork Belly. You heard me right – pork belly. If you’re not familiar with pork belly – it’s the oh-so glorious cut of meat that bacon and pancetta are made of. It’s beautiful, it’s rich, it’s indulgent – it’s a cut of meat made for a king or a queen. Being such a rich & fatty food – it’s best served in small pieces. Like on top of my salad 😉

Thing is, you can’t just waltz into your local grocer and find pork belly in the meat department. It’s definitely a specialty cut of meat. I live in a farm town so it was pretty easy for me to hunt down a piece of pork belly. I found my 12 pound fresh pork belly at a local butcher shop. Visit a farmers market or a specialty butcher shop – they usually sell it sliced in 1-2 pound pieces or whole.

As a last resort, you can order online. There’s absolutely no shame in that – it’s just gonna cost you. A 10 pound hunk will run you $70 – $100 plus shipping. Yikes. I bought a 12 pound hunk for about $30. Always look local first.

Pork belly isn’t hard to make. Roast it on high heat for a few minutes and then on low heat for an additional hour or two. Cool it, and then slice it as needed and pan fry. Oh my goodness – it’s delicious. Heavenly.

I know you’re ready to try Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits! Find them at a store nearby you!

Oh…and last, but not least. Eat Smart is having a giveaway! Enter for a chance to win one of Ten (10) AMEX Gift Cards at $50 each and samples of all five Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kits (for a total of five salads). Scroll down to enter for a chance to win!

Thanks so much for stopping by! Here’s to healthier habits made easier!

-Amanda-

Visit Eat Smart for recipes, products, inspiration & information!

Eat Smart Gourmet Vegetable Salad Kit Giveaway

I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (10)

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Kale Salad with Roasted Pork Belly

Pork Belly Recipe Adapted from Momofuku. Seriously - why mess with perfection? This needs to be made the day ahead & chilled so plan ahead.

Prep Time12 hrs

Cook Time2 hrs

Total Time14 hrs

Course: Pork, Salad

Servings: 1 -3 pounds

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

For Pork Belly:
piece of fresh pork belly skin removed, 1-3 pound piece
1 tablespoon salt per pound
1 tablespoon sugar per pound
pepper
For Salad:
Eat Smart Sweet Kale Vegetable Salad Kit
apple sliced or diced
handful of crushed pecans or walnuts

Instructions

For Pork Belly:
Season the belly with the salt, sugar and a sprinkle of pepper. Cover and let sit about 8 hours or overnight in the fridge.
Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a roasting pan with aluminum foil.
Cook at 450° for half an hour. Lower heat to 275° and cook for an additional hour or two. It should be tender but not mushy.
Remove from oven and let cool to room temp. Tightly wrap roasted pork belly in plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled through. At least a few hours and up to a couple days.
When needed, slice into pieces of desired thickness and panfry in a drizzle of oil until brown.
For Salad:
About 10 minutes before serving, toss dressing with salad.
Sprinkle cranberry, pumpkin seeds, apple & walnuts over top.
Top with desired amount of pork belly and serve.

“Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Sticks

August 22, 2016 by Amanda 9 Comments

“This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Weight Watchers, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #WWMarket http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV”

“Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Sticks – crunchy & gooey cheesy goodness without the guilt. Plus a healthy Greek yogurt ranch dip. Yay for healthy snacks!

I have a confession to make. I am a fried food fanatic. Fresh cut fries, onion rings, fried pickles, fried mushrooms, fried seafood – and of course fried mozzarella sticks. Oh, how I love them all.

I know better though. I don’t each much of it besides the occasional county fair when I go buck wild on the deep fried goodies.

I’ve learned to enjoy some healthier alternatives to curb my fried food fixation. Fresh cut oven roasted french fries & sweet potato fries are in regular rotation in my house. For all the other fried goodies, I bread and bake them for the crunch without the fat & cholesterol.

Fried Mozzarella Sticks are one of my all time favorites and luckily one of the easiest fried foods to make “unfried” at home. Roll the cheese sticks in some panko, give them a little freezer time and throw them in the oven. Crunchy, cheesy gooey goodness.

Guess what…? I made this snack even healthier with Weight Watchers Light String Cheese. With half the fat and 25% less calories of regular string cheese I can enjoy this lightened up snack and feel even better about eating it. Want to spice it up a little bit? Then throw Weight Watchers Jalapeno Flavored String Cheese into the mix. Think jalapeno popper mozzarella sticks. Yummmm.

Know what every fried or oven baked snack needs? Something to dip that crunchy goodness into. Marinara sauce with mozzarella sticks – that’s a given. Ranch dip – you better believe it. I’m a ranch dressing enthusiast but I’m not so enthusiastic about all the fat & calories that are in a serving of it. I’ve improvised with a Greek yogurt ranch dip. Stir a few herbs & spices in a cup of yogurt and you got yourself a ranch dip loaded with flavor and protein and fabulously low in calories & fat.

I hope you enjoy this “Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Stick. I love food and I’m not into cutting favorite foods out of my diet. It’s great to have healthier options so we can enjoy the snacks we love more often. Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

I found these awesome Weight Watchers products and everything else I needed to create this healthy snacking recipe at my local Giant Food Stores.

Stop by your local Giant Food Stores between 9/1/16 – 9/28/16 and when you buy any (5) FIVE participating Weight Watchers products (excluding Heinz SmartOnes & Meeting Room Products) you’ll Save $3.00 instantly while supplies last!

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

"Unfried" Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Crunchy & delicious baked Mozzarella Sticks.

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time12 mins

Total Time22 mins

Course: Appetizer

Servings: 1 dozen

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

6 Weight Watchers Light String Cheese Regular or Jalapeno
1 egg
1/2 cup panko
1 teaspoon flour
1/4 teaspoon parsley
garlic powder a pinch
salt a pinch
olive oil for spritzing

Instructions

Cut sticks of string cheese in half. Set aside.
Crack egg in a small bowl, beat.
In a separate bowl combine panko, flour, parsley, garlic powder & salt.
Dip a piece of string cheese into egg, then into panko. Press panko onto all surfaces & ends of cheese.
Place breaded cheese stick onto wax paper lined plate and repeat with remaining pieces.
Freeze breaded cheese sticks for at least half an hour. These can be made days ahead of time and kept covered in the freezer.
Preheat oven to 350°.
Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spritz with olive oil.
Place breaded cheese sticks on cookie sheet. Spritz tops with olive oil.
Bake until tops are light golden brown - about 8-12 minutes.

Print Recipe

5 from 2 votes

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Love ranch dressing but don't love all the junk in it? Try this Greek yogurt ranch dip - loaded with flavor and protein and light on the calories & fat. A healthy dip!

Prep Time5 mins

Total Time5 mins

Servings: 2 -4 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

1 Greek nonfat yogurt cup 5.3 oz
1/4 teaspoon parsley flakes
1/4 teaspoon dried chives
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon salt
pinch dill
pinch pepper

Instructions

Combine all herbs and spices with Greek yogurt.
Refrigerate for at least half an hour before serving - allowing flavors to blend.
Get to dipping & enjoy 🙂

Japanese Ginger Cucumber Salad

July 5, 2016 by Amanda 17 Comments

A bright, cool & crisp Ginger Cucumber Salad. Fresh & simple eats for laid back summer days.

I love cucumbers. They’re easily my favorite vegetable. I love them plain, with a a sprinkle of salt or in endless variations as the star ingredient in salads.

I just realized I have NO cucumber recipes on this blog yet. Gasp! How on earth could that be? I guess the simple, everyday things we make get taken for granted.

Cucumbers are one of the cheapest veggies when they’re in season and I certainly get them in while the gettin’ is good.

This cucumber salad. Beyond simple to make. So crisp, so refreshing, such a lovely bite to eat on a summer day.

You’ll notice that I seed the cucumbers. This always seems to be cause for conversation. Here’s how I decide when the seeds are going to stay and when they’ve got to go. If I’m slicing cucumbers as a snack, or there going into a garden salad or any salad where they’ll be eaten within a few hours, the seeds usually stay. If they’re getting mixed with any creams (think sour cream, Greek yogurt), going into a dip or will be sitting for more than a few hours, the seeds go. There’s a whole lot of watery mess waiting to seep from those seeds.

I often half this recipe and eat it for a quick lunch. Seeds certainly stay in that scenario.

Ginger can be tricky to grate. I love the flavor of it but I don’t like big bites and strings of it in my salads. I’ve found the simplest method for mincing ginger is to put it thru my garlic press. If you plan ahead, you could also freeze the ginger and grate it on a microplane.

When serving this salad, I realized how plain in appearance it really is. Most of my other cucumber salads are served with tomatoes, cheeses, peppers, herbs and other bright fruits and veggies. Don’t be fooled by this salads simplicity, though. While it’s appearance may lack in brightness, the taste most certainly does not.

Summer eating is best when it’s light, fresh, flavorful & laid back. This Ginger Cucumber Salad certainly fits the bill!

Hope everyone is enjoying this gorgeous summer weather! Thanks for stopping by!

-Amanda-

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Japanese Ginger Cucumber Salad

A bright, cool & crisp Japanese Ginger Cucumber Salad. Fresh & simple eats for laid back summer days.

Cook Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: salads

Servings: 3 -4 servings

Author: Amanda

Ingredients

2 cucumbers
3 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon fresh ginger minced or grated
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Peel, seed and dice cucumbers. (To seed cucumbers - cut in half lengthwise and use spoon to scoop out seeds)
Slice cucumbers into a mixing bowl.
Toss with white wine vinegar, sugar, ginger & salt. Salad is best after chilled for a few hours but can be eaten immediately.
Enjoy 🙂
*Note* If you'd like, you can use an extra 1/4 teaspoon salt, mix with cucumbers and allow to drain for about half an hour in a colander over a bowl. Occasionally toss cucumbers around and press with a spatula or spoon to force out excess liquid.

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Cucumber hors d’oeuvres with Garlic & Fine Herbs Cheese, smoked salmon & capers. Simple to make yet fancy & delicious!

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Kale Salad with Roasted Pork Belly

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“Unfried” Baked Mozzarella Sticks – crunchy & gooey cheesy goodness without the guilt. Plus a healthy Greek yogurt ranch dip. Yay for healthy snacks!

Stop by your local Giant Food Stores between 9/1/16 – 9/28/16 and when you buy any (5) FIVE participating Weight Watchers products (excluding Heinz SmartOnes & Meeting Room Products) you’ll Save $3.00 instantly while supplies last!

"Unfried" Baked Mozzarella Sticks

Ingredients

Instructions

Greek Yogurt Ranch Dip

Ingredients

Instructions

A bright, cool & crisp Ginger Cucumber Salad. Fresh & simple eats for laid back summer days.

Japanese Ginger Cucumber Salad

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Instructions

Coupon Alert