Category Archives: Appetizers and Small Plates

Black Bean Cake with Pineapple Salsa and Avocado Crema

Black Bean Cakes with Pineapple Salsa and Avocado Crema

Posted on February 14, 2012 by Angela| 2 Comments

For this vegetarian gem, my buddy Karen suggested a savory black bean cake that we paired the cakes with a fresh pineapple salsa enlivened with piquant red jalapenos and a simple avocado crema made with greek yogurt and lime. The final result was ridiculously good – a composed plate that looked like it should be served at a fancy pants restaurant rather than the picnic table in my backyard. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Featured, Main Courses, The Daring Kitchen, Vegetarian Dishes

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Shallot Yogurt

Shallot Yogurt Dip

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Angela| Leave a comment

Not that tzatziki is all that hard to make, but when I have even less in the fridge than I need for that, I turn to this shallot yogurt. It is beyond a delight, providing refreshing coolness to whatever you deign to serve with it. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Sauces and Condiments, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Spinach Artichoke Dip

Posted on January 7, 2012 by Angela| Leave a comment

I still go back to this recipe for the winning combination of flavors and the lack of pre-processed ingredients used to make it. This is no TGIF Frozen Spinach Dip in the freezer aisle of the grocery store. Shallots and garlic flavor the creamy dip and bring out the sweetness of the spinach and artichokes. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Baked Goods, Cheese Dishes, Easy to Prepare, Holiday Dishes, Recipes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Baked Roast Pork Buns

Baked Roast Pork Buns

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Angela| 4 Comments

I’ll admit that this is not my first time to the pork bun rodeo. From my sister’s obsession with the steamed version on Sunday’s at the dim sum parlor, to my husband’s cravings for the baked variety fresh from the Chinatown Roast Pork Bun Factory in NYC, I had a clear and compelling reason to learn how to make them for myself. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Baked Goods, Featured, Impressive Dishes, Main Courses, Meat Dishes, The Daring Kitchen

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Asian Cole Slaw

Asian Cole Slaw

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This recipe couldn’t be simpler – whisk a few ingredients together and toss with the cabbage and then let the tangle of goodness ruminate on its future awesomeness. Not that cole slaw can think, but if it could, I imagine that’s what it’d be doing. Thinking about how cool it is. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Enchanted Tiki Party, Recipes, Salads, Vegetarian Dishes

Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

Sweet and Sour Spare Ribs

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

These ribs are for the hungry and lazy – a troublesome combination that is often hard to please but will be bowled over by this ridiculously easy recipe. Parboil the ribs in a pressure cooker to cut down on the cooking time from hours to a mere 15 minutes. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Enchanted Tiki Party, Low Brow Treats, Main Courses, Meat Dishes, Pressure Cooker Recipes

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Kona Coffee Glazed Chicken Wings

Kona Coffee Glazed Chicken Wings

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

The kona coffee in this recipe serves to glaze these wings into mahogany glory, while a bevy of sweet sauces such as hoisin, plum, honey and ciger vinegar round out the flavor profile. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Enchanted Tiki Party, Low Brow Treats, Poultry Dishes

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Crab Rangoon

Crab Rangoon with Sweet Chili Sauce

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

If you love crab rangoon, but hate how many places use artificial crab meat, or worse, only cream cheese, then this is the recipe for you. Tender crab is perked up by sesame oil, ground ginger and the crunch of water chestnuts, with just enough cream cheese to bind it all together. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Cheese Dishes, Easy to Prepare, Enchanted Tiki Party, Seafood Dishes, Side Dishes

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Ahi Tuna Poke

Ahi Tuna Poke

Posted on November 27, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

The combination of meltingly tender ahi tuna with soy and sesame is a dream. And it couldn’t be simpler to make – the key is tracking down a killer piece of tuna that is so fresh, it still wants to slap you in the face with a fin. Ok, maybe not that fresh, but you don’t want to go cheap on this one. The tuna is the absolute star. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Enchanted Tiki Party, Impressive Dishes, Seafood Dishes

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Black Tea Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Black Tea Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Posted on November 14, 2011 by Angela| 6 Comments

A long while back, in a moment of sheer MacGuyverism, I decided that since I couldn’t tea-smoke chicken in my NYC apartment without bringing in the fire department, I’d try to make a marinade for it using black tea. The resulting mixture, which I coined “hell broth” for it’s spicy, fragrant scent, was a great success. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Featured, Main Courses, Ode to Exemplary Chinese Food, Poultry Dishes, Recipes, The Daring Kitchen

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Peach Bellini Jam

Peach Bellini Jam

Posted on October 3, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Guest Poster, Angie says, “One of my friends who picked with me suggested making jam and I said no way can I do that and she suggested making freezer jam. I rushed out bought some jars and freezer jam pectin and tried it out – and the results were amazing! I used Sugar in the Raw, which totally made it super expensive but it was the best jam ever – and I was astonished I made it.” Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Breakfast and Brunch, Featured, Friends Recipes and Hacks, Sauces and Condiments

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Herbed Caramelized Onion Focaccia

Herbed Focaccia with Caramelized Onions

Posted on September 14, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

Good bread, and I mean the kind that meets the rigorous demands of the title of penultimate comfort food, makes me get into all sorts of trouble. A perfectly crusty baguette that’s airy on the inside baguette goes from obsession to nonexistence in a matter of seconds. But even better, a fluffy square of toothsome focaccia worth making out with – that, my darlings, is where it’s at. Correction – where I’m at. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Baked Goods, Breakfast and Brunch, Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Side Dishes, Soup to Stock to Consomme, Vegetarian Dishes

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Appam (Sri Lankan Coconut Rice Pancakes)

Appam (Sri Lankan Coconut Rice Pancakes)

Posted on August 14, 2011 by Angela| 4 Comments

These pancakes are very similar to the Southern Indian dosa (lentil pancakes) that are served here in this country, with the added boon that they are flavored with lush coconut. They are perfect for sopping up curry or, better yet, filled with potatoes and peas and folded like a quesadilla. Better yet, they are vegan and gluten free, making them perfect for parties where you have eaters with dietary restrictions. A party is much sexier when all can partake. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appam and Curry Feast, Appetizers and Small Plates, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Littleneck Clams with Chorizo and Garlic

Littleneck Clams with Chorizo and Garlic

Posted on August 8, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

Clams are more expensive than they used to be (and certainly more expensive than mussels), so the addition of chorizo and garlic seem to extend the meal quite a bit with the creation of a sumptuous wine sauce. I’ve seen many other recipes serve this over pasta, but we enjoy it with plenty of bread for mopping up every last bit of sauce. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Main Courses, Meat Dishes, Recipes, Seafood Dishes, Side Dishes

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Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt with Cucumber and Mint)

Lemony Tzatziki (Greek Yogurt with Cucumber and Mint)

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

This version plays up my favorite flavors in tzatziki and allows them to be assertive and bright – plenty of lemon and mint add a floral note to the yogurt, and garlic a bit of a spicy kick. You can certainly change up the proportions of spices and herbs, but the amounts below are how I make it at home – unfussy, bright and lively. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Recipes, Sauces and Condiments, Vegetarian Dishes

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Classic Mussels with White Wine and Herbs

Classic Mussels with White Wine and Herbs

Posted on August 7, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This mussel recipe is brought to you by my wonderfully talented friend Arber – given the low price point of mussels, quick cooking time and ability to stand up to any sauce that you could throw at them, there is no reason that more home cooks shouldn’t include them in their repertoire. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Featured, Friends Recipes and Hacks, Impressive Dishes, Main Courses, Recipes, Seafood Dishes

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Tabbouleh

Simple Tabbouleh

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

Traditionally made with bulgar that is soaked until tender, I’ve been known to shave a bit of time off the prep work by using whole wheat couscous. Parsley and tomato are standard, but feel free to experiment with the other greenery and veg – my favorite is the inclusion of crisp cucumber and slivers of scallions, along with plenty of mint to keep the flavors cool and fresh. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes, Vegan Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Green Chile Bean Dip

Green Chile Bean Dip

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This tasty dip comprised of refried beans, green chiles and shredded cheese is too easy to be as good as it is. And yet, 9 times out of 10, if I’m at my parents house rummaging through their pantry for a bite of something, I’ll end up making this dip. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Cheese Dishes, Side Dishes, Vegetarian Dishes

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Chile con Queso

Chile con Queso

Posted on July 7, 2011 by Angela| Leave a comment

This recipe is my mom’s passed down to her from my grandmother. We used to have this dip around Christmas and New Year’s, devoured as quickly as we could while still hot. More than your typical melted cheese with peppers, the base of this sauce comes from smoky bacon. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Cheese Dishes, Low Brow Treats, Sauces and Condiments

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Crostini di Fave

Crostini di Fave (Fava Bean Crostini)

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Angela| 2 Comments

The best thing you can do is get the tastiest olive oil to drizzle, your favorite bread for toast points (I love a good ciabatta) and the most savory, nutty pecorino you can find. Then, with a minimal amount of cooking, you can relish in the the joy of the fabulous fava bean. Continue reading →

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Posted in Appetizers and Small Plates, Easy to Prepare, Ode to Orvieto, Vegetarian Dishes

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