Just Appetizers...My Kind of Meal

Just Appetizers.....My Kind of Meal

I seriously think I would be satisfied with eating only appetizers for every meal. It seems like I get overly-stuffed from a large meal.  But when I make a few appetizers, I don't seem to get as full as quickly and can savor those appetizers more than a full meal.  

Face it, once you have the complimentary bread and the tossed salad before your main course at restaurants, you are already full and end up not eating or finishing your entree. You have the entree wrapped to take home and if you're lucky, someone in the family will eat it before it needs to be thrown away. 

My solution - order a bunch of appetizers to share.  In my experience, there are usually no leftovers of appetizers - or very few.  

The topic for today's posting, obviously, is "Appetizers."  I hope you find one you like.  These are straight from my own files.  I'm always looking for more great recipes for appetizers and I would appreciate it if you would pass them on!!

****Also, read about "Some History of Appetizers" at the end of this posting. Come on, you knew I would have to include something from my "Geek" side! *****

Low-Fat Vegetable Egg Rolls

• 1 pkg. shredded lettuce
• 2 medium carrots - peeled and shredded
• 2 medium garlic cloves - minced
• minced onion - to taste
• 2 tsp. dried ginger
• 1 tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
• 2 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. sesame oil
• 8 egg roll wrappers - about 1/2 oz. each (or more)
• olive oil PAM

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Coat a large baking sheet with olive oil PAM. Place lettuce in a microwavable bowl and cover.  Microwave on HIGH until wilted - about 4 minutes.  Drain and transfer to a large bowl.  Add carrots, garlic, minced onion, ginger, soy sauce, cornstarch and oil; mix well.

Arrange egg roll wrappers on a clean dry surface. Spoon lettuce mixture diagonally onto each egg roll wrapper.  Fold over one corner to cover filling.  Fold up both corners. Moisten edges of remaining flap with water and roll up wrapper jelly-roll style until sealed.  Transfer egg rolls to prepared baking sheet and coat with cooking spray.  Bake until golden brown - about 25 minutes. NOTE: If you count points like WW, each egg roll is one point.)

Spinach-Cheese Balls with Pasta Sauce

• 1 box (9 oz.) frozen spinach
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese - shredded
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese - shredded
• 1 tsp. dried oregano leaves
• 1 egg - beaten
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. onion powder
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 2 tbsp. Extra-Light Virgin olive oil
• 1 container (15 oz) ricotta cheese
• 2 cups flour
• 3/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
• 1 jar (25.5 oz) pasta sauce

Remove frozen spinach from the box and place it in a colander.  Rinse with warm water until thawed; drain well.  Squeeze spinach dry with paper towel.  In a large bowl, mix egg, both shredded cheeses, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, sour cream, oil, and ricotta  cheese until well blended.  Add spinach to cheese mixture; mix well.  Stir in flour one cup at a time until well blended.  Fill 10" skillet half full with vegetable oil and heat over a medium heat until a thermometer reads 350 degrees.

Meanwhile, place bread crumbs in a small bowl.  Shape spinach-cheese mixture into 1.5-inch balls.  Roll each ball in the bread crumbs and place on the cookie sheet.  Fry 6 balls at a time for 4 to 6 minutes - turning as necessary until golden brown.  Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels.  Cool for two minutes before serving.  Serve with pasta sauce - warm or cold, whichever you prefer.

Beer Cheese Spread

• 8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese - finely shredded
• 1/2 tsp. Dijon Mustard 
• 1/8 tsp. ground cayenne
• 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 cup beer
• 1 clove garlic - minced
• 2 tbsp. butter - softened

In a food processor with a metal blade, combine cheese, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, cayenne, and minced garlic.  Place beer in a small saucepan and bring to a boil.  Pour over cheese mixture in the food processor; process 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or just until blended. Spoon into serving bowl.  Cover and refrigerate at least one hour to blend flavors.  To serve, let stand at room temperature for at least 30 minutes to soften. Serve with your choice of crackers, French or Italian bread slices, or raw veggies.

Basil Cheese Triangles

• 1 package feta cheese - crumbled
• 2 eggs - slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1/4 tsp. white pepper
• 16 oz wonton wraps
• 1/3 cup butter
• PAM

Heat oven to 400m degrees F.  Spray cookie sheet with PAM.  Place crumbled feta cheese into a small bowl and mash with a fork.  Stir in eggs, basil, and white pepper until well-blended.  Cut the wonton wraps into 2-inch strips. Place one level tsp. cheese mixture on each end of one strip, end-over-end, in a triangular shape, to opposite end.  Place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining strips and cheese mixture.  Brush with over triangles.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until puffed and golden.  Serve warm.  NOTE: If you count WW points, each triangle is worth 1 point.

Some History About Appetizers

Hors d'oeuvres, antipasto, starters, gustus, tapas, maza, mezze, zakuski

Here's some facts you probably didn't know - and may not actually WANT to know - but they're here anyway! It's a great day to learn something new!!

• The word companion comes from Latin's "com panis," meaning the person you share meals with, or friendship defined by dining.
• The Chinese word "dim sum" means to "touch the heart."
• Italian antipasto literally means "before pasta," but it is really the Italian word for hors d'oeuvres.  Antipasto can include lives, pieces of raw or cured ham, marinated mushrooms or other vegetables, and items of seafood. Click here for a recipe from allrecipes for "Antipasto Squares."

• Middle Eastern "maza" (Arabic) was considered a foretaste of the "delights to come." "Maza" includes olives, cheeses, eggplant puree, and hummus. "Maza" was carried by the Arabs to the Iberian Peninsula (Modern-day Spain and Portugal) during the 900 years the Arabs were part of Europe.  The Spanish tradition of gathering before a meal for a drink and sampling or endless appetizers, or "tapas," began during this time. (Italian hummus??)

• "Tapas" literally means "to cover." This name is thought to go back to the middle of the last century from the name given to a slice of ham, cheese, or bread, used to cover the wine glass served to horsemen as they arrived at a roadside inn, tired and thirsty.  The "tapa" protected the wine glass from dust or rain - and it was free.  The patron only paid for the wine. (Maybe that's where the idea for "Happy Hour" snacking came from. Hmmmm...)

• In Sweden, the "smorgasbord," which literally means "buttered-bread table," is the best-known feature of Swedish cuisine.  In the old tradition of Sweden, a host would place all of the foods on the table at once and guests brought contributions with them for the meal. A "smorgasbord" can be served as a preliminary to a meal or as a full buffet meal.  (I remember a restaurant on the north end of my hometown that was a "smorgasbord-style" buffet. I somehow remember meatballs and a tray. I'll have to ask my mom about it.  I know that's where I learned the term "smorgasbord." My how the memory can retrieve even little bits of trivial things. HA!)
• Visit this link to read an article about the Swedish "smorgasbord."

• Did you know that IKEA is a Scandinavian company?
• Click here to go to the website and see if you can pronounce the names of their products. I know I don't pronounce the names well, but I try!

Twice-Baked, Double-Stuffed Potatoes and Caesar Salad

Twice-Baked, Double-Stuffed Potatoes 

and Caesar Salad 

Many of my friends have told me over the years how much they love potatoes. I love potatoes, too, and always have a bag on hand.  There are lots of ways to prepare potatoes, but not many methods can beat baked potatoes.  And taking baked potatoes another step, twice-baked potatoes are an excellent variation to plain baked potatoes.  And, taking another step beyond that, "Twice-Baked, Double-Stuffed Potatoes," is an even more decadent variation. 

After this recipe, I've included the original Caesar Salad recipe and some information about the history of the salad. (By the way, it is NOT named for Julius Caesar)

Twice-Baked, Double-Stuffed Potatoes

• 4 large potatoes
• Extra-Light Virgin Olive Oil
• 4 tbsp. butter - melted
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cream cheese - softened
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup cheddar cheese - shredded
• 1/4 cup Colby-Jack Cheese - Shredded
• 1/2 cup green onions - chopped
• 2 - 3 strips crisp bacon - cooked
• garlic salt and pepper - to taste

Clean the potatoes and place them on a baking sheet.  Rub them with olive oil and season with salt.  Bake in a 425 degree oven for 1 hour.  Let stand 10 minutes before preparing.  Reduce the heat of the oven to 350 degrees F. Cut the potatoes in half and scoop out the insides.  Place in a bowl and mash.  Add melted butter, sour cream, milk, cheese, and green onion.  Using an electric mixer, combine until the mixture is light and fluffy.  Check the filling for seasoning - add salt and pepper as needed.  Fill a pastry bag with potato mixture and fill each potato half. Add bacon or other topping you like on top of the potato mixture and bake in the 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.


 You can wrap and store the potatoes and potato mixture for future use - or freeze them.  You don't even have to defrost them if they're frozen - just place them in a preheated 350 degree oven and bake until cooked through and golden brown on top.

I found these potato cookbooks on Amazon.  Check them out for more great potato recipes.

 

History of the Caesar Salad

As mentioned above, the caesar salad was NOT named for Julius Caesar, but after Cesare (later Caesar) Cardini. WHO is Caesar Cardini?????

Caesar Cardini was born near Lago Maggiore, Italy, in 1896 -  a 33.5 mile long lake that stretches from SW Switzerland into Italy.  He emigrated to San Diego after WWI.  During Prohibition, he and his brother started a restaurant - Avienda Revoucion - in Tijuana, Mexico so they could serve alcohol.

Caesar created the Caesar salad by necessity.  On a busy Fourth of July in 1924, as supplies began to run low, Caesar created the salad with what he had on hand.  To add style to the salad, he made it "table-side," right at the customer's table. The salad and the way it was made became a hit with the Hollywood set and entered into history.

In 1948, Cardini began selling bottled dressing called, "Cardini's Original Caesar Dressing."  It sold millions. People everywhere heard about the salad and the dressing and wanted to eat at Cardini's restaurant.  In fact, Julia Child, who ate at Cardini's restaurant as a teenager and later as as an adult, contacted Cardini's daughter for the recipe!

The Original Recipe for Caesar Salad

*NOTE: Notice that there are NO anchovies!!!

• 1 head Romaine lettuce
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese - grated
• 1 lemon
• pepper - to taste
• 5 oz. croutons

Break the lettuce into 2-inch lengths.  Squeeze the lemon over the lettuce to bring out the flavor. Sprinkle with Parmesan Cheese and pepper. Toss. Add croutons.  Toss and serve.

You can find Cardini salad dressing at this link:

http://www.cardinissaladdressing.com/ 

 You can also find it at Amazon.com - Click on one of the images below and it will take you right to the Amazon website if you want to order it.  The first image is for a 6-pack of 20-ounce bottles. It isn't really $25.29 a bottle!! HA!! There also links below for some of the other Cardini products.   

  Let me know what you think if you try it!

 

  

Fun with Feta

Fun with Feta

Feta Cheese...............Love it!! Anyone who has read any of my previous BLOG entries or my first annual "A Year in My Kitchen - 2009" cookbook, you know that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT!! Feta, that is. A staple in any Greek Pantry (O.K., the refrigerator), feta is a "classic" Greek cheese.  It is traditionally made of sheep's or goat's milk and is cured, or stored, in its own salty whey brine until it becomes white and crumbly. It's right up there with olive oil (not quite that high), basil, cucumber, ouzo, and oregano. Following these recipes will be a little background on other Greek "pantry" items to have on hand.  (See the article following the recipes entitled, "Facts on Feta.")

Here are some simple, but delicious recipes with feta cheese.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we did....

Let's hear it for the stinky cheeses!!!!!!!!!!!

Tomato  and Cucumbers with Feta Cheese

• 2 medium tomatoes - cored and sliced
• 1 1/2 cucumbers - peeled, sliced, seeded
• salt and pepper - to taste
• 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup (4 oz.) feta cheese - crumbled - you can either buy it crumbled or crumble it yourself - I vote for buying it already crumbled, but that's just me.............

In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes and cucumbers. Season with salt and pepper.  Add vinegar and olive oil. Toss to coat.  Sprinkle on feta cheese and serve.

Sauteed Zucchini with Feta Cheese

• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 large zucchini - thinly sliced
• 2 garlic cloves - chopped
• salt and pepper - to taste
• 1 tbsp. dried basil flakes
• 1/2 tsp. dried cilantro (optional)
• 1/2 cup feta cheese - crumbled

In a 12-inch skillet, heat olive oil on low heat.  Add zucchini and slowly saute with garlic and a little salt and pepper until golden and slightly carmelized - about 20 minutes.   Season with salt and pepper.  Mix in basil, cilantro, and feta. Saute for 10 minutes or until the ingredients are at the "doneness" you desire.

Greek Salad

• 1 package romaine lettuce - e.g. Dole Salad Mixture
• 3 medium tomatoes - quartered
• 1 medium cucumber - seeded and chopped
• 7 oz. feta cheese - crumbled
• 2 medium green onions - chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper - diced
• 3/4 cup black olives - halved
• 6 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp. lemon juice
• salt and pepper - to taste

Combine lettuce, tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, and chopped cucumber in a large bowl - add the feta cheese, onions, and black olives. Toss gently.  For the dressing, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt and pepper - to taste.  Pour the dressing over the lettuce mixture. Toss gently.  Serve with pita or crusty bread.

 

  

Facts on Feta

Feta cheese is the most popular Greek cheese and is traditionally made from goat's milk or sheep's milk. It is stored in wooden barrels of brine and matured for at least two months.  This method of preserving cheese was first discovered in ancient times and may have been the first preserved cheese in Greece.  Most feta cheese comes from mountainous areas and its pure white color comes from the color of milk of lean animals that roam the "craggy slopes" looking for food.

 

Goat's feta cheese has a strong, gamey flavor.  Sheep's feta has a richer taste.  Both soft and firm feta, as well as sweet and less salty types of feta are available in Greece.  Feta is used in salads and baked in a variety of pies. (e.g "spanakopita")  Cubed or crumbled feta is used in stuffed vegetables or added to omelettes - or used as a stuffing for fish.  Feta is also served with fruit, such as watermelon, or just with olive oil poured over the top and sprinkled with oregano.

 

 

 

*The Greek Pantry

• Basil - Called the "royal herb" by ancient Greeks, basil is a key summer herb in Mediterranean cooking.  
• Cucumber - Cucumbers were believed to have originated in either India or Thailand and was cultivated for thousands of year.
• Olive Oil - Olive oil is from pressed, tree-ripened olives and its extracts are monounsaturated fats - or the "good fats."  Olive oil is graded by the degree of acidity they contain.  The best olive oil is cold-pressed, and the chemical-free process creates the low-acidity.  Extra-Virgin olive oil has only 1% acidity, which is the finest and fruitiest of all olive oils.
• Oregano - Oregano came to the United States by soldiers from WWII.  It is sometimes called "wild marjoram."

*More to follow in subsequent postings......................

Peach Cobbler with a Sugar Cookie Crust

Peach Cobbler with a 

Sugar Cookie Crust

In keeping with the "Old-Fashioned Food" theme for another posting, I searched through my recipe files for a recipe using the peaches I bought after discovering Matt loved peaches. I came across a few recipes for peach cobbler and Matt informed me that he LOVED peach cobbler.  Hence, today's recipe.  And, me being me, I just had to learn more about the origin of peaches and a little bit of peach history, of course, to satisfy my "Geekness." As I said before, I should probably rename my BLOG, "Another Year in my Kitchen and Other Geeky Things I know." BTW, August is National Peach Month!

• 8 fresh peaches - peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 stick of butter - cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 2 cups flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 eggs - lightly beaten
• 1 cup vegetable oil (yes, vegetable oil - olive oil didn't work for this recipe...)
• 1 tsp. cinnamon
• PAM

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray 9x13" baking dish with PAM.  Arrange cut peach slices into baking dish.  Scatter butter pieces over the top of the peaches, then sprinkle with brown sugar evenly on top.  Mix flour, white sugar, baking powder, ans salt in a bowl.  Add oil to beaten eggs,  then stir the egg mixture into the dry ingredients.  Spoon batter over the peaches. Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Bake for about 45 minutes in the preheated oven or until the crust is lightly browned.  Makes 12 servings.

  

2 Basic Types of Peaches

1. clingstone - flesh of the peach "clings" to the stone

2. freestone - can be loosened from the pit easily

*When choosing fresh peaches, look at the skin around the stem area.  If it is green, it was picked too early.  If it is creamy yellow, these will be the best peaches to choose.

History of the Peach

The peach originated in China and has been cultivated there since 1,000 B.C.E.*  The peach has a special significance to the Chinese culture - the peach tree is considered to be the tree of life.  Peaches are symbols of immortality and unity, and are thought to bring luck and abundance.  Peach blossoms are carried by Chinese brides, even today.  In China, peaches were reproduced in porcelain dishes.  Dumplings, shaped like peaches, were served as a special treat on a person's birthday.  Wood of the peach tree was carved into special amulets.

Peaches traveled west to Persia via the Silk Road, which helped it earn its botanical name, "Prunus Persica."  In Persia, peaches were discovered by Alexander the Great, and he introduced them to the Greeks.  By 322 B.C.E., Greece had peaches.  By 50 - 20 B.C.E., Romans grew and sold them for the modern equivalent of $4.50.  The Romans called the peach a "Persian Apple."  The Romans cultivated the peach and transported it north and west to other countries in their European Empire.

Columbus brought peaches to the New World on his second and third of his four voyages. The Spanish brought peaches to South America.  The French introduced peaches to Louisiana.  And England brought peaches to Jamestown and the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Production in the United States began with the California Gold Rush in 1849. During the Gold Rush, as the population rapidly grew, the demand for peaches outweighed the availability of peaches.  In Sutter County, two farmers, A.F. Abbott and Joseph Phillips, developed a variety of cling peaches that led to the canning of the clingstone peach because it holds its flavor and texture.  At the turn of the century, the cannery, today used as a waterfront marketplace, was once the largest peach cannery in the world.

California produces more than 50% of peaches in the United States and grows 175 different varieties.  Georgia is called the "Peach State" because it grows so many peaches.

Today, China is the largest producer of peaches.  Italy is second and is the main exporter in the European Union. 

 

*B.C.E., or Before Common Era is the new politically-correct term for B.C.  Additionally C.E., or Common Era is the new term for A.D.