Eat!

Eating is a necessity. However, we choose what to eat. The choices we make reveal a great deal about us. The food you eat can tell quite a bit about your heritage, your family, your fears, your sense of adventure, your attitude toward yourself and others, and a myriad of other personal tidbits to anyone paying attention. Everything about eating is a glimpse into your soul.

I hope to reveal a little bit about myself to you through my food. I enjoy cooking. I enjoy eating. I find pleasure in bringing pleasure to others. I hope that by sharing my recipes I bring you a little bit of joy.

Cook my food. Feed it to the people you love.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Phyllo Bites

Every party needs a few finger foods to whet guests’ appetites. Phyllo cups provide a crunchy base upon which you can build the perfect bite. My appetizers are delicious, lovely, and really easy to create. For added flair, I like to place my phyllo bites in miniature muffin cups after I have prepared them. After you try my recipes, you can get creative and try your own.


Sunny Brie Bites

Servings: 15 appetizers
Time: Prep: 5 minutes, Bake: 8-10
Hardware: Measuring spoons, mixing bowl, spoons, baking sheet

Ingredients
  • 15 ounces of brie (rind removed)
  • 15 mini phyllo cups (I use Athens Mini Fillo Shells)
  • 8 teaspoons orange preserves
  1. Defrost the phyllo cups according to package directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Place one ounce brie in each cup.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Top each bite with ½ teaspoon orange preserves.
  6. Serve warm.

    The perfect bite
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Curry Goat Cheese Bites

Servings: 15 appetizers
Time: Prep: 5 minutes, Bake: 8-10
Hardware: Measuring spoons, mixing bowl, spoons, piping bag*, baking sheet

Ingredients
  • 8 ounces chevre
  • 6 ounces cream cheese
  • 2 tablespoons sour cream
  • 2 tablespoons yellow curry powder
  • 15 mini phyllo cups
  1. Defrost the phyllo cups according to package directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Mix the cheeses, sour cream, and curry powder until thoroughly combined.
  4. Place the mixture in the pastry bag. Pipe about one ounce of filling into each cup.
  5. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  6. Serve warm.
*If you don’t have a piping bag, spoon the mixture into a plastic bag. Snip off a tiny edge of the corner. Works in a pinch.
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Mediterranean Cheese Bites

Servings: 15 appetizers
Time: Prep: 5 minutes, Bake: 8-10
Hardware: Measuring spoons, mixing bowl, cutting board, knife, baking sheet

Ingredients
  • 15 ounces of tomato, basil feta cheese
  • 15 mini phyllo cups
  • 8 teaspoons pesto
  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
  1. Defrost the phyllo cups according to package directions.
  2. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  3. Place one ounce crumbled feta in each cup.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.
  5. Top each bite with ½ teaspoon pesto.
  6. Roughly chop the pine nuts. Garnish the bites with chopped nuts.
  7. Serve warm.
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Honey Nut Bites

Servings: 15 appetizers
Time: Prep: 10 minutes, Cook: 8-10
Hardware: Measuring spoons, mixing bowl, spoons, small skillet

Ingredients
  • ½ stick salted butter
  • 3 tablespoon honey
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 15 walnut halves
  • 12 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
  • 1 tablespoon Mirin
  • 15 mini phyllo cups (I use Athens Mini Fillo Shells)
  1. Defrost the phyllo cups according to package directions.
  2. Heat the butter, honey, and the brown sugar in the skillet on medium high. Stir until everything melts. Then turn the pan to medium low and add the walnut halves. Simmer for 5 minutes. Allow the walnuts to cool.
  3. While the nuts are cooling, mix the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and Mirin.
  4. Evenly divide the cream cheese mixture in the phyllo cups.
  5. Top each bite with a walnut half and some of the honey mixture.

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