There are so many great places on the Internet to find good recipes. I have a long list of places that I check out frequently. One of my favorites is the Food Network. They have such timely and delicious recipes and they always inspire me to try new things. And now that the weather is getting cooler (finally – here in Northern CA), it is more conducive to stay inside and bake or cook.

Make this simple recipe for Parmesan Cheese Sticks. They are absolutely yummy and go perfectly with a hot cup of Zippy Tomato Soup. Plus, they work beautifully if you are serving an array of appetizers at a cocktail party. Easy to eat, and really easy to make.

What you’ll need:
(Printable recipe)
- 1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup butter, melted

What to do:
1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. and lightly grease a baking sheet.

2. On a lightly floured surface, carefully unfold the pastry sheets. Cut each sheet into 13 strips, approximately 3/4 by 10-inches each.

3. In a shallow dish or bowl, combine the cheese, basil, and garlic.

4. Brush the pastry strips with the melted butter and roll each one in the cheese mixture, lightly coating each side.

5. Gently twist the pastry strips and place them on a prepared baking sheet (you can either use parchment paper or lightly spray with cooking spray).

6. Bake the Parmesan Cheese Sticks for about 12 minutes. Remove and cool on wire racks.

A  note: I am in love with the flavor that fresh Rosemary adds to recipes, so I used that instead of the basil. Use the amount that sounds good to you. I used a little less than a teaspoon as the Rosemary that grows in my backyard is pretty potent.  Enjoy!

*Thanks to the Food Network for the gorgeous photo of the cheese sticks and the idea for the recipe!

Hmmm… where to start, where to start? There are sooooo many wonderful ideas for Labor Day weekend appetizers. I thought I’d round up some of my favorites to share with you, dear readers!

First, some tips for grilling veggies: Read my article Grill, Baby, Grill and learn how to grill vegetables the right way. Then move on and Grill Your Salad.

Wanna make some of your own chips and dips? Here’s a plethora of ideas…

Dip Recipes

Not-Guilty Guacamole: A beautiful recipe for guacamole that cuts out 40% of the calories! Plus, it really tastes great!

Cowboy Caviar: A mixture of yummy ingredients with the taste of the Southwest. Great with baked pita chips or blue corn Tortilla chips. Use it as a dip or a side dish.

Warm Goat Cheese Spread: The goat cheese gives it a creamier texture which is wonderful, but you can also use Feta which has adds a nice sharpness to the flavor. Deeeeelish!

Artichoke Tomato Dip is a new twist on an old theme. If you like the flavors of both tomatoes and artichokes, then wait until you combine them! This dip is even better if you grow your own tomatoes. Not a requirement, by any means, but it does have a noticeably fresher flavor with homegrown tomatoes.

Chip Recipes

Parmesan Basil and Lemon Crisps: If you like salt and cheese, then you’ll like these crisps. I recommend using the more expensive Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for this recipe. It bakes up better and the flavor is outstanding.

Homemade Potato Chips: I know, I know, why would you go to the trouble to make your own potato chips when there are literally BAGS of them waiting to be bought in any grocery store? Because… The. Taste. Is. So. Great!

Baked Tortilla Chips: Love chips but don’t love the calories? Try this baked tortilla chips recipe. You easily can lose the calories, but not skimp on taste.

And now for some great apps that pretty up your table and will wow  your friends and family…

More great Appetizers

Sun-dried Tomato and Goat Cheese Kabobs: When you make these little sun-dried tomato and goat cheese kabobs for your next gathering, make sure you make a few more than you think you’ll need. They go fast!

Cowboy Kabobs: I can make up these kabobs ahead of time and then hubby-o-mine grills them when he gets good and hungry! Great as an easy appetizer or as a main course. Make more than you’ll think you’ll need!

Chili Lime Corn: Next time you want to jazz up your corn on the cob, try this simple recipe. It’s a perfect complement to any BBQ food you are preparing and your friends and family will gobble it up.

Cocktails for your BBQ: Conjure up sitting by the pool, enjoying the heat of the summer and cooling off with the fresh taste of summer fruits and veggies mixed in a drink. Think outside the box and travel away from the usual Gin and Tonic.

I could go on, but this blog post is getting kinda long. Enjoy and wishing you all a happy and safe Labor Day Weekend!

If you like salt, then you’ll like these crisps. I recommend using the more expensive Parmigiano Reggiano cheese for this recipe. It bakes up better and the flavor is outstanding.

Besides being a very simple recipe, it’s also versatile. It’s easy to exchange the one ingredient for another. For example, we have LOADS of Rosemary growing around our house, I love the fresh, pungent flavor it offers and I think it marries well with the cheese. Simply replace the Basil with the Rosemary. Keep reading for some other flavorful variations.

Wilton Easy Flex Silicone 10-Inch by 15-Inch Mat

What you need:
- 1 cup of shredded Parmesan
- 2 tablespoons of chopped, fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 tablespoon of grated lemon zest (check out this great zester)

What to do:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Transfer a heaping tablespoon of Parmesan mixture onto a silicone or parchment-lined baking sheet and lightly pat down.

Repeat with the remaining cheese mixture, spacing the spoonfuls about 1/2-inch apart. Bake for 3 to 5 minutes or until golden and crisp. Cool and use a flat spatula to transfer from lined baking sheet.

Oxo Good Grips Lemon Zester

This simple recipe makes about 12 crisps.

Recommended tools:
- Silicone baking sheet
- Zester Grater

A Couple of Variations:
- Substitute Parsley for Basil and orange zest for lemon zest
- Substitute Rosemary for Basil
- For a different cheese taste, try using other good grating cheeses. See more info about cheese below.

About Firm Grating Cheeses
Cheeses usually become not only firmer but more pungent as they age, so most of the cheeses in this category pack a lot of flavor.  Firm cheeses have a much longer shelf life than their softer counterparts.  Here are some great varieties that will work well with this easy appetizer for crisps.

Aged Asiago
This grating cheese is similar to Parmesan and Romano, but it’s sweeter.  There’s no need to spring for a pricey Italian Asiago – our domestic knock-offs are pretty good.  Don’t confuse aged Asiago with the relatively obscure fresh Asiago cheese, which is semi-soft.

Manchego
This is a semi-firm cheese that is almost white, semi-firm, and typically used as a melting cheese. Works great for these crisps.

Aged Mizithra
A Greek cheese that is dry, crumbly, and very salty.

Romano
Romano is similar to Parmesan and Asiago, only it has a nuttier, sharper, and saltier flavor.  It’s often grated onto pizzas and pasta dishes to add flavor.  Pecorino Romano is made from sheep’s milk.

For more savory appetizers like this one, please visit the Cheese Appetizers page at Easy Appetizer Recipes.

Thank you to the Food Network for the great photo!

Whole ingredients of Garam Masala - Image via Wikipedia

Read this article recently from the CBS News website and had to share it. Just sounded so yummy. I have the girls coming over next week and this will be one of the recipes I make… try it out and tell me what you think!

On The Early Show Friday, cookbook author and cooking teacher Tori Ritchie showed how to easily put together dishes that will delight your guests.

Indian Spiced Nuts
This snack satisfies Ritchie’s salt requirement. It’s easy to make an ordinary can of mixed nuts into something special. With this recipe, you simply toss the nuts with a little butter and some spices, then roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes. The nuts can be served warm or at room temperature. Although Ritchie uses Indian flavors, you can substitute other flavors if you wish. For example, using rosemary, lemon and garlic would make yummy Italian-flavored nuts.

The garam masala Ritchie suggests is a spice mixture similar to curry powder. The spice and other flavoring ingredients are added to the nuts.

Mixed nuts offer the most choices for your guests, but if a single nut — cashews, peanuts or almonds — is your favorite, roast it alone with the same spice mixture. In every case, be sure the nuts are fresh. Vacuum-packed tins labeled with expiration dates are usually good guarantees of freshness, as are nuts sold in bulk at a market with a high turnover. The nuts are roasted at a relatively low temperature to avoid burning and to give them time to absorb the fragrant spices.

2 cups lightly salted mixed nuts
1 Tbs. unsalted butter, melted
1 Tbs. finely chopped peeled fresh ginger
1 tsp. garam masala
1/2 tsp. ground cumin
1/8 to 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Preheat an oven to 300°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper.

In a bowl, toss together the nuts, butter, ginger, garam masala, cumin and cayenne until the nuts are evenly coated with the spice mixture. Spread the nuts out in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet.

Roast the nuts, stirring 1 or 2 times, until golden and fragrant, 20 to 22 minutes. Immediately transfer the nuts to a bowl and serve warm or at room temperature.

You can also roast the nuts up to 24 hours in advance and store them, tightly covered, at room temperature. To serve them warm, spread them on a baking sheet and reheat in a 350°F oven for about 5 minutes. Serves 8.

Variations:
Chili-Spiced Nuts: Omit the ginger. Add 1 Tbs. chili powder and increase the cumin to 1 tsp.

Italian-Spiced Nuts: Substitute hazelnuts for the mixed nuts, if desired. Omit the ginger, garam masala and cumin. Add 1 Tbs. chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp. grated lemon zest and 1/2 tsp. finely chopped garlic.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma, Essentials of Roasting, by Rick Rodgers, Melanie Barnard & Bob & Colleen Simmons (Oxmoor House, 2004).

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• Garam Masala (notecook.com)

- 76 percentage of women who like to grill
- 150 millions of hot dogs Americans eat over Memorial Day weekend
- 100 calories in a turkey dog
- 148 calories in a regular dog
- 49 percentage of grillers who think it’s acceptable to bring their own sauce to a barbecue
- 121 calories you save by grilling  a chicken breast instead of frying it

Now that you know all about the facts of grilling, here’s a really easy appetizer to grill while you are sipping cocktails on the patio.

Mushroom Bacon Bites

What you need:
- 24 medium fresh mushrooms
- 12 bacon strips, halved
- 1 cup of you favorite barbecue sauce

What to Do
1. Wrap each mushroom with a piece of bacon; secure with a toothpick.
2. Thread onto metal or soaked bamboo skewers; brush with barbecue sauce.
3. Grill, uncovered, over indirect medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until the bacon is crisp and the mushrooms are tender, turning and basting occasionally with remaining barbecue sauce.

This easy appetizer recipe makes 2 dozen. For more wonderful grilled appetizer recipes, visit our Simple Appetizer Recipes page.

Summertime to me means, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and GREAT food! Get stocked up on some great summertime appetizers that are fun to make and fun to serve. Your guests, friends, and family will love you for it and think you are “Da bomb”!

Here are some ideas to get started. Enjoy the warm weather and the freedom that summer brings and where sunscreen!

Veggie Tarts – These mini muffin-size appetizer tarts are the perfect party food. Refrigerated Crescent roll dough makes it easy to create a finger food that even kids will like.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Perfect for a BBQ party! Adding a dash of cayenne gets the mouth watering for these crispy, crunchy chickpeas.

Smoked Salmon Spread in Sourdough Bowl – These easy party appetizers are quick to make and low-fat, too. The cream cheese and salmon mixture is presented in a bread bowl for an extra festive look

Roast Beef Crostini with Horseradish Cream - Spicy horseradish gives these warm appetizers a hearty kick. The combination of warm French bread toast and cool roast beef creates a party food that complements any gathering.

Mushroom Caponata on Bagel Crisps – This caponata appetizer recipe blends eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions for to create vegetarian party food that everyone will enjoy.

For more great ideas for party planning and delicious easy appetizers, visit our Simple Appetizer Recipes page.

Memorial Day

Here’s a little help in that area… I’m listing 5 of my favorite Chicken Wings Recipes for you to try out. Chicken Wings – when done right, are a wonderful simple appetizer that everyone loves. Watch. You’ll see. They will disappear before your eyes!

#1. THE Original Buffalo Chicken Wings – Take a peak at the first recipe that started the popularity of chicken wings. Simple and easy appetizer to make.

#2. Apricot Onion Chicken Wings - I like this one because it blends the sweet with the tart and the combination will make this a real party pleaser.

#3. Coffee Chicken Wings – Ooo la la! This recipe is exotic, but oh-so-delicous!  You’ll love the smokiness the coffee flavor adds to the wings.

#4. Dragon Breath Chicken Wings – These wings you grill and they will spice up any party you might throw. The nice thing about this recipe is that they are as delicious served cold as they are straight from your grill.

#5. Diablo Canyon Chicken Wings – This is a wonderful simple appetizer recipe for the spicy-shy adult and kid. The flavor is a nice mixture of sweet and salty.

Enjoy your holiday and remember to be SAFE!

Mother’s Day also signifies that warm weather is here or about to be here… so it got me to thinking about what are some great appetizer recipes for warm weather? Parties will be outside for the next few months, what kinds of easy  appetizers work well when the weather turns hot? And with Memorial Day heading our way, I decided it’s time to start making my favorite salsas again.

There are so many different kinds of Salsa and you’ll find a few of those recipes here on this blog. But, this recipe for Fresh Corn Salsa is a wonderful combination of color, sweetness and texture. Everybody seems to love it – I never have any left over! Serve this beautiful Fresh Corn Salsa with some warm homemade tortilla chips and WOW! You’ll have a hit on your hands.

What you’ll need:

• 2 cups diced ripe tomatoes
• 2 cups fresh corn kernels
• 12 oz-can black beans, rinsed well, drained
• 4 green onions, sliced thin
• 1 or 2 green jalapeño, seeded, diced fine
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1 fresh lime, juiced
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp sugar
• salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

What to do:
Toss all ingredients in a large glass or stainless steel bowl to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Toss well before you serve it.

This easy appetizer recipe can be made up to 8 hours ahead of time.

I got this recipe from About.com and have loved it ever since. You will too.

*photo by Flickr user Luke Wisley

The 5th of May is not Mexican Independence Day, but it should be! And Cinco de Mayo is not an American holiday, but it should be. Mexico declared its independence from mother Spain on midnight, the 15th of September, 1810. And it took 11 years before the first Spanish soldiers were told and forced to leave Mexico.

So, why Cinco de Mayo? And why should Americans savor this day as well? Because 4,000 Mexican soldiers smashed the French and traitor Mexican army of 8,000 at Puebla, Mexico, 100 miles east of Mexico City on the morning of May 5, 1862. To continue reading about Cinco de Mayo history, click here. Otherwise, take a look at the list below of great appetizers for this well loved holiday.

7-Layer Guacamole Dip
Baked Tortilla Chips
Black Bean Cheese Dip
Chiles con Caso Dip
Chipotle Salsa
Cilantro Lime Shrimp
Corn Tortilla Chips

Flour Tortilla Chips
Frijoles Refrito Dip
Hot Asiago Dip
Mexican Guacamole
Ranchero Bean Dip
Shrimp and Avocado Cocktail
Summertime Sangria
Tex Mex Soup with Black Beans
White Cheese Dip (Queso Blanco)

Mother’s Day Appetizers

Your Mom loves you know matter what, but she’ll be so pleased that you took the time to prepare some fun foods for her. So show her some appetizer love with a wide variety of little foods to choose from.

And if you are a wine drinker, all these appetizers go well with a glass of the red or white. And, why not think of a wine gift to give your Mom?

Brie Appetizers - A wonderful selection of delicious appetizers using Brie cheese as it’s main ingredient. The delicious, creamy, texture of Brie marries beautifully with all kinds of flavors.

Caramelized Onion Tarts – Sweet and savory, these easy to make tarts dress up any occasion.

Caviar Parfait – A beautiful appetizer that will impress guests, please the palate, and best of all, is simple to make.

Cheddar Cheese Mushrooms – A huge crowd pleaser that keeps the foodie snitcher at bay, and at the same time gets your guests hungry for the main course. Everyone loves these!

Cilantro Lime Shrimp Kabobs – Get the BBQ ready and throw on the shrimp kabobs. This is a fantastic appetizer for everything from backyard parties to fancy-schmancy cocktail parties.

Cocktail Sandwiches - These little bites are super easy to make – a hold over from the 50s – using common ingredients.

Check out the Easy Appetizer Recipes website for a complete list of Mother’s Day Appetizers. You’ll be glad you did!

Wines of Burgundy