This fresh pesto appetizer with tomato and mozzarella slices might be my favorite appetizer of all time. It’s easy to make, and virtually everyone seems to like it. Fresh pesto is an Italian classic that is popular around the world. The star of a great pesto is the fresh basil, and basil is one of my favorite herbs. (See below for tips on how to grow your own fresh basil.) And when you add fresh pesto to tomato slices and mozzarella slices, you have the ultimate Italian appetizer! I like to make the pesto ahead of time and keep it chilled in the refrigerator. Then, when guests arrive, I assemble the tomato and mozzarella slices. I add a dollop of pesto to the top of each stack. The appetizers are ready in minutes. Warm fresh pesto appetizers right out of the oven. Yum! How to Make My Fresh Pesto Appetizer with Tomato and Mozzarella Slices Pesto Ingredients 2 cups basil leaves ¼ cup pine nuts 2 cloves of garlic 2/3 cup olive oil ½ cup grated … [Read more...] about Fresh Pesto Appetizer with Tomato and Mozzarella Slices
Food & Drink
Country Style Quiche Lorraine
Country Style Quiche Lorraine is an easy-to-make recipe that is sure to please almost everyone. Quiche Lorraine is the mother of all quiche recipes. It is a light egg and cheese custard with lots of bacon in a buttery crust. Culinary trends took an odd turn in the 1970s when quiche gained the reputation of being a ladies-who-lunch type of dish. That must have been because they took the bacon out and started putting everything else in-- like asparagus, goat cheese and mushrooms. Some people even skipped the crust. And that's just wrong. But the classic Quiche Lorraine has endured. Probably because of the bacon! If you’ve never made a quiche before, don’t worry, it couldn’t be easier. Especially if you’re working with a prepared frozen crust. If not, it’s still easy, it just takes more time and planning. Watch the Video Country Style Quiche Lorraine Recipe Yield: Serves 6 NOTE: Onions or shallots can be used in place of the chives. Use about 1/2 … [Read more...] about Country Style Quiche Lorraine
Easy-to-Bake Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie
A delicious Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie is a variation on the classic lemon meringue pie. If there is a Dessert Hall of Fame, surely the lemon meringue pie is inducted. It’s delicious. It looks great. And it’s not hard to make—it just looks like it would be hard to make. The lemon meringue pie is so awesome it even has its own Wikipedia page. When you bake a lemon meringue pie, people are impressed. So, imagine the kudos you’ll get when you bake a Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie. Whoa! Your friends and family with think you just got back from a pastry-making class in Paris. The list of ingredients is in the graphic below. I have also included a link to my video on YouTube that shows all the steps in making this delicious dessert. Helpful Instructions for Making a Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie When I make this Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie, I make it gluten free. So, I buy a gluten-free pie crust from the natural foods market. Feel free to use a regular pie crust if you would … [Read more...] about Easy-to-Bake Lemon Tangelo Meringue Pie
Festive Holiday Drinks for Fabulous Celebrations
There’s nothing like festive holiday drinks to make holiday parties come alive. It's no wonder that cold weather makes us want to snuggle and keep warm, and hot beverages certainly help. So, I've taken some favorite recipes and changed them up a bit to delight your guests. (It's also perfectly acceptable for you to enjoy these festive holiday drinks during an intimate evening with your special loved one.) I have also included my favorite eggnog recipe for when you want a cold and refreshing holiday beverage. Enjoy! Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate (Serves 8-10) Delicious hot chocolate might be the queen of all festive holiday drinks. This hot chocolate gets its kick from Grand Marnier. But if you want a non-alcoholic drink, leave out the liqueur and instead add 4 strips of orange peel (½ inch wide) to the liquid as it is heating. Ingredients 2/3 cup natural, unsweetened cocoa powder, Dutch-process cocoa powder or dark cocoa powder such as Droste, Ghiradelli or … [Read more...] about Festive Holiday Drinks for Fabulous Celebrations
Garden Roses: Queen of Edible Flowers
When it comes to edible flowers, edible roses recipes are among my favorites. Roses are among the most ancient of flowers and are one of the most revered. Fossil records indicate roses have been on Earth for more than 40 million years—predating humans. Native only to the northern hemisphere, roses will also grow south of the Equator. The Greek poet Sappho summed it all up more than 2,500 years ago when she called roses the “Queen of Flowers.” That's why I consider edible roses recipes to be the queens of edible flowers foods. After all, roses have been cultivated for thousands of years. But the ancient Romans get the credit for introducing the flowers to the world as edible. (Peasants already used the rose hips). Selecting Edible Roses for Flavor There are more than 200 species of roses and 20,000 man-made hybrids. The flavors of rose petals run the gamut from totally flavorless to bitter, sour to sweet, slightly spicy to herbal and apple to minty. With all the roses to choose … [Read more...] about Garden Roses: Queen of Edible Flowers
