appetizer

Summer Cherry Salsa

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Whoever thought up the idea of salsa should be knighted. Seriously. Salsa is one of those side dishes that can step up your main dish’s game, or be a palatable introduction to your dinner party. With summer officially here, cherries are in season and an amazing sweet-meets-tart contribution to your meal plan. Filled with antioxidants and inflammation inhibitors, cherries offer multiple health benefits, particularly for those with arthritis, diabetes, insomnia, family history of cancer, and/or high blood pressure. Continue reading

Scallion Crepes and Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms

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Whoever said you can’t have breakfast for dinner has obviously never had savory crepes. At a recent Hipcooks Dim Sum and Then Some class, I learned the power that is scallion crepes, and after making a gluten-free batter batch, I have some pre-made and ready to go for some joyful consumption. I’ll admit this recipe isn’t completely gluten free due to including hoisin sauce, but man it’s tasty! Continue reading

Cucumber-Wrapped Lox

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Picture this: it’s Crafty Night at my house, friends are coming over in T-no time, and I have no appetizers prepared. What’s a girl to do? I pulled inspiration from the previous evening’s sushi making class, and thought of a visually pleasing, relatively quick snack: lox and cream cheese stuffed cucumber rolls. I feel so grateful that there’s a New Seasons just down the road from me, granting access to local, fresh vegetables meats and anything else to save a procrastinator like me. I picked up the ingredients to craft my masterpieces, and got rolling. Continue reading

Queso: Austin lives in Portland

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Last week I had the privilege (and duty) to participate in my first SXSW Interactive Festival. It was a week filled with innovation, meet and greets, celebrity sightings (most notably Grumpy Cat, Mindy Kaling, Edward Snowden–by satellite, Snoop Dogg and George Takei) and tons of amazing food. I only visited Austin one other time, when I was introduced to the amazing signature dish of Texas: queso.

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Prosciutto wrapped manchego and persimmons

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This is a delightful appetizer that will surprise and please any party guests. Persimmons are wonderful during the winter, but can be replaced with Roma tomatoes as the spring and summer come around. I have to give a big THANK YOU to Hipcooks for introducing me to this deliciousness.

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