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Posts tagged ‘appetizer’

Aug 22

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Marinated goat cheese, with endless variations

I’m always looking for good ways to make something special out of an everyday ingredient, especially as we enter our grad school budget phase of life, and marinated goat cheese is definitely one of those things. I’m a little obsessed.

Goat_cheese_ready Read more

Jun 23

Smoky, spicy watermelon and prosciutto bites with goat cheese and mint

Watermelon_skewers

One of the weirdest things about this crazy year we’ve had is that my concept of seasons and time is completely off. We spent most of what should have been winter in South America and Southeast Asia, where it was plenty sunny and warm, then most of what should have been late spring/early summer in wet, cold, waterlogged Central Europe (aside from our last few blisteringly hot days in Budapest). We’ve been moving so much that we’ve become a little untethered, and I regularly find myself blanking on what day it is, what month it is, and sometimes even what city or country I’m in at the moment (that last one is a little disarming).

But now we’re back in the United States, and back for good, and I’m finally feeling a little more grounded in time and space. Here in Portland it’s definitely summer, despite a bit of rain. The markets are full of berries and tomatoes, there’s plenty of light late into the evenings, and the stores are full of supplies for picnics and camping and outdoor adventures.

So the recipe I’m sharing here is perfect for summer, wherever you are – quick and easy to do with no heat, great for entertaining or bringing to parties or picnics, and light and refreshing for when things are a bit hot and steamy outside. Read more

Apr 17

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White bean hummus crostini

(This recipe is part of a post on a shower I threw – you can see more about it here.)

We first had something very similar to this recipe at an engagement party for our friends Jane and Steve. There it was, an unassuming little crostini topped with hummus. An option that I completely overlooked at first, instead making a bee-line for the cheese plate, scallion pancakes, and mac-and-cheese “cupcakes” (Jane throws a pretty good party, it should be said).  But I’m certainly glad Brett encouraged me to try one after he did, because it was an awesome combination of creamy, earthy white bean “hummus,” a bit of peppery arugula, and a hidden layer of tangy balsamic vinegar soaking into the bread.  Surprisingly simple yet hearty and satisfying, it was the first thing I put on the menu for the party, and was sad to find I ended up with almost none of the bean spread to take back with me afterward. Read more