Category Archives: appetizer

Award Winning Party Foods

and the winners are these delicious appetizers that will make your party Oscar worthy!!

From by the bay wishing you Award winning food memories!

Maryann

Caramelized Onion Dip

Ingredients

1 large sweet onion, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sriracha hot chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise

Directions

In a large skillet, melt the butter. Add the onions and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 25 minutes. Let the onions cool slightly, about 15 minutes.
In a food processor add 1/2 the onions and the remaining ingredients and blend. Stir in the onions and adjust salt and pepper to taste. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Serve at room temperature.

Chili Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients

5 ounces shredded parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degree F. On a parchment lined baking sheet , take half the shredded parmesan and form a rectangle approximately 8″ by 12″. Sprinkle half the chili flakes and all the salt uniformly over the cheese. Layer the remaining cheese lightly pressing down. Sprinkle the remaining chili flakes over the cheese. Bake in the oven until golden brown, approximately 10 minutes. Cool and break into piece. Store in an air tight container until ready to serve.

Options: substitute 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes with one of the following:

minced rosemary, minced thyme, crushed black pepper or fennel seeds

Marinated Olives with Orange and Cranberries

Ingredients

1/2 pound green pitted olives, such as manzanilla
1 shallot, minced
1/4 fresh orange cut into 1 inch pieces, with rind
1 tablespoon fresh orange juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1 teaspoon rosemary leaves
Directions

Bring 1 cup water to boil in small sauce pan. Remove from heat and add cranberries. Let sit 15 minutes and drain and cool in mixing bowl. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Mini Peanut Butter Cups

Makes 12 mini cups

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

6 tablespoons smooth peanut butter

6 tablespoons ground graham crackers

2 tablespoons granulated white sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

4 ounces milk chocolate

1 tablespoon heavy cream

1 tablespoons light corn syrup

Coarse Sea Salt , such as Maldon

Baking Spray

Directions

Take a non stick mini muffin tin and spray with your baking spray or line each cup with a paper liner. In a bowl add the sugar, cinnamon and graham cracker crumbs, mix and set aside. Use a glass bowl to microwave peanut butter and butter in 30 second intervals, stirring between each interval until mixture is smooth. Usually, doing this twice will work. Add this mixture to your graham cracker mixture and stir to combine. Use a teaspoon to place mixture into the bottom of each muffin tin. Place filled muffin tin into the refrigerator to set. Now add the chocolate to the microwave and melt using 30 second intervals to stir the melting chocolate 2-3 times should do it. Once the chocolate is melted add the cream and corn syrup. Stir until smooth. Take the peanut butter filled muffin tin and fill with melted chocolate. Sprinkle coarse sea salt on the top. Place back into the refrigerator and let set for another 30 minutes before serving. You can remove the peanut butter cups from the tin and store in a plastic container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Variations: to the ground graham crackers , cinnamon and sugar mixture you can omit the cinnamon and add 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder to have a chocolate peanut butter bottom, or you can use bittersweet chocolate instead of milk chocolate and omit the light corn syrup to top your peanut butter cups.

Sugar Cookies

From the Food Network, Alton Brown

Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 tablespoon milk
Powdered sugar, for rolling out dough
Directions
Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. Place butter and sugar in large bowl of electric stand mixer and beat until light in color. Add egg and milk and beat to combine. Put mixer on low speed, gradually add flour, and beat until mixture pulls away from the side of the bowl. Divide the dough in half, wrap in waxed paper, and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

Sprinkle surface where you will roll out dough with powdered sugar. Remove 1 wrapped pack of dough from refrigerator at a time, sprinkle rolling pin with powdered sugar, and roll out dough to 1/4-inch thick. Move the dough around and check underneath frequently to make sure it is not sticking. If dough has warmed during rolling, place cold cookie sheet on top for 10 minutes to chill. Cut into desired shape, place at least 1-inch apart on greased baking sheet, parchment, or silicone baking mat. Sprinkle with colored sanding sugar and bake for 7 to 9 minutes or until cookies are just beginning to turn brown around the edges, rotating cookie sheet halfway through baking time. Let sit on baking sheet for 2 minutes after removal from oven and then move to complete cooling on wire rack. Serve as is. Store in airtight container for up to 1 week.

Recipe courtesy of Alton BrownS

Caramelized Onion Dip

Here is a great entertaining recipe for any get together or party. I have wonderful food memories from my childhood eating onion dip when my parents entertained. It was a favorite dip in our house, probably in many houses. You opened a dry soup mix and added it to sour cream and bam it ‘s a dip. Let me say I loved it growing up. In fact, my early days of cooking included many recipes using store bought soup in a package or can. Of course today, I love using fresh ingredients and with a little more effort the results deliver much better flavor and are far more healthy. You’ll love this onion dip – caramelizing the onions is the part that requires the most time, but the results are worth your time. Serve with your favorite potato chips and enjoy!

From by the bay wishing you yummy onion dip food memories!

Maryann

Caramelized Onion Dip

Ingredients

1 large sweet onion, sliced thinly
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon sriracha hot chili sauce
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/4 cup good quality mayonnaise

Directions

My Five Favorite Recipes of 2015!

The of the year is a time for reflection, of course, my mind turns to food! I looked back on my 2015 blog recipes and have selected my favorite recipes of 2015. The main criteria for my selection is the number of times I have made this recipe during the year…….so drum roll please for my top recipe picks for this year. These are recipes you will want to try and use over and over again as well!

From by the bay, thank you for your interest in this blog and wishing you all a very Happy and Healthy 2016! See you next year!

Maryann

Chili Parmesan Crisps

Ingredients

5 ounces shredded parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Directions

Options: substitute 1 teaspoon of red chili flakes with one of the following:

minced rosemary, minced thyme, crushed black pepper or fennel seeds

Mushroom Quinoa Risotto

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 cups quinoa, rinsed

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 8-ounce package sliced crimini (baby bella) mushrooms

6 ounces fresh assorted mushrooms, stemmed, sliced

1 1/2 cups thinly sliced leeks, cleaned well

1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper

3 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme, divided

2 to 3 cups chicken stock

1/2 cup dry white marsala wine

1 piece parmesan rind ( 2″x 3″ x 1/2″ approximately)

Grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Put the butter and oil in a large, deep skillet or saucepan over medium heat. When it is hot, add the fresh mushrooms, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the mushrooms begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the leeks and cook until they soften slightly, about 2 minutes.
Add the quinoa, and cook, stirring occasionally, until it’s glossy and coated with butter and oil. Sprinkle with chili flakes, thyme, salt and pepper, and then add the parmesan rind, broth and wine. Continue to cook, stirring frequently and adding stock as necessary; the mixture should be neither soupy nor dry. Begin tasting the quinoa about 20 minutes after you added it; you want it to be tender but not mushy and to have released some of its starch. Once it reaches that stage, after about 25 minutes, remove the rind and stir in some grated parmesan cheese, along with a little more butter or oil if you like. Stir until the cheeses melt; taste and adjust the seasoning, and serve.

Jalapeno Kale Coleslaw

Serves 6

Ingredients for salad

1 head of green cabbage , finely shredded

1 cup of kale, remove ribs and finely shredded

1/2 cup red onion finely sliced

Ingredients for dressing

1/2 cup olive oil

juice of 4 limes

1 teaspoon fine sea salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 small jalapeno seeded and chopped

Directions

To make dressing combine all the ingredients in a food processor and first pulse and then mix until emulsified. Pour dressing over salad and mix well. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Spicy Zucchini Pineapple Salsa

As seen on “The Food Network Kitchen” by Geoffrey Zakarian

Serves 4 to 6

Ingredients

2/3 cup small- diced zucchini

2/3 cup small -diced fresh pineapple

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves torn

1 teaspoon finely chopped shallots

1 teaspoon finely minced jalapeno pepper

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon chardonnay or white wine vinegar

1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger ( optional)

fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste

Directions

In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Let marinate for at least one hour or refrigerate until ready to serve.

–

Lemon Ice Box Pie
CONTRIBUTED BY DAVID GUAS
TOTAL TIME: 1 HR PLUS 7 HR COOLING AND FREEZING
SERVINGS: MAKES ONE 9-INCH PIE
MAKE-AHEAD
STAFF-FAVORITE
This silken frozen pie is adapted from Clancy’s, one of David Guas’s favorite New Orleans neighborhood restaurants. (Recipe adapted from DamGoodSweet.)

Ingredients

14 whole graham crackers, broken
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Two 14-ounce cans sweetened condensed milk
1 1/4 cups fresh lemon juice, plus 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
8 large egg yolks

Directions
Preheat the oven to 325°. In a food processor, pulse the graham crackers with the sugar and salt until finely ground but not powdery. Add the butter and pulse until the crumbs are evenly moistened; transfer to a 9-inch springform pan and press into the bottom and two-thirds up the side. Set the pan on a rimmed baking sheet.
In a medium bowl, whisk the condensed milk with the lemon juice. In another bowl, using a handheld mixer, beat the lemon zest with the egg yolks until pale. Beat in the condensed milk mixture until smooth. Pour the filling into the crust.
Bake the pie for 25 minutes, until the center jiggles slightly and the edges are set. Transfer the pan to a rack; let cool for 1 hour. Loosely cover the pan with plastic wrap and freeze the pie for at least 6 hours.
Wrap a warm, damp kitchen towel around the side of the springform pan to release the pie; remove the ring. Using a hot knife, slice the pie, transfer to plates and serve.

Homemade Potato Chips

The perfect comfort food treat- homemade potato chips – make it interesting by using different varieties of potatoes, I tried purple fingerling potatoes and just loved the deep violet color. The skin is smooth and edible so no need to peel. This is perfect along side your favorite champagne, wine or well with almost anything.

From by the bay wishing you vivid homemade food memories!

Maryann

Homemade Potato Chips

Ingredients

28 ounces canola oil
3-4 medium russet potatoes (about 1-1/4 pounds) or Blue Yukon
Fine sea salt

Directions

Pour oil into 4-quart saucepan about 3 inches deep. Use a thermometer and heat oil to 375º F. Scrub potatoes, remove deep eyes and blemishes from skin. Slice potatoes thinly, about 1/16-inch using a mandoline (manual slicer) . Place slices into a large bowl of ice water covering potatoes and let soak for 30 minutes. Drain water from potatoes and repeat placing potato slices in another bowl of ice water for 30 more minutes. Remove excess water by processing in salad spinner and then blot with paper towels to prevent spattering while frying. Line two baking sheets with paper towels. Deep fry potatoes in 2 to 3 batches, stirring potatoes occasionally, until light golden brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle hot chips with sea salt to taste; toss to coat evenly. Repeat with remaining potatoes. Before serving you can reheat the chips on an unlined baking sheet in a single layer in a 350 degree oven for 5 minutes.

Pumpkin Corn Bisque

This week is unique in that the first half of the week is summer and the second half is fall. The local farm stands look the same way, one side is the last corn of the summer and on the other side you the start of fall, filled with pumpkins and winter squash. This soup does the same thing by mixing the flavors of summer corn and fall pumpkin. It’s a perfect combination that you can celebrate this time of year.

From by the bay, wishing you pumpkin corn filled food memories!

Maryann

Pumpkin Corn Bisque

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 cups fresh corn kernels ( approx. three ears), or thawed frozen corn
1 small chopped onion
1(15-oz.) can organic pumpkin puree
2 cups unsalted chicken broth
1/2 teaspoon coriander
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup half and half

Optional : pinch of cayenne along with other spices

Optional : garnish shelled, roasted and salted pumpkin seeds, chopped chives

Directions

In a dutch oven or stock pot melt butter, add onions and saute until softened, add corn and saute another minute. Add remaining ingredients, except the half and half. ( include the cayenne). Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 20 minutes. Let cool, then puree in a food processor. This can be made head and refrigerate. When ready to serve heat, once heated add half and half. Stir and serve. Garnish with pumpkin seeds and chopped chives.

Jalapeno Hummus

Bring and party or barbecue to life with this easy hummus recipe, with just enough heat from the fresh jalapeno pepper. The fresh bright taste of these ingredients definitely say summer! Hummus is so easy to make just a few ingredients in a food processor . The taste is so much better than store brought! Serve with home pita bread and it’s a light summer meal!

From by the bay, wishing you Middle Eastern food memories!

Maryann

Jalapeno Hummus

15.5 ounces Chick Peas / Garbanzos , drained and rinsed

6 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 clove garlic, chopped

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Place all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth. Serve cold or room temperature with pita chips or homemade pita ( recipe below)

Home made Pita Bread

Adapted from mygreekdish.com as posted by Eli K. Giannopoulo

Ingredients

17 1/2 ounces all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dry yeast
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1 1/2 glass of lukewarm water (40C)

Instructions

To prepare this pitta bread recipe start by sieving the flour into your mixer’s bowl. Add the yeast, sugar and salt and blend with a spoon.
Add a little bit of water and start mixing, using the dough hook. Pour in the water a little bit at a time, at a steady stream, whilst mixing. Wait each time for the water to be absorbed and continue adding some more.
Depending on the flour, the dough may or may need a little bit less water than this pita bread recipe calls for. After mixing for a while, the dough for your pita bread should become an elastic ball. If the dough is still crumbled, you should add some more water. If it becomes too sticky, this means that you added more water than needed. In that case, add 1 tsp of flour and continue mixing.
When done, cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it sit in a warm place, for at least 1 hour, until it doubles its size. This is an important step for this pita bread recipe, so that the pita bread becomes fluffy and soft.
Take the dough out of the bowl and knead a little bit with your hands. Split in 6 evenly sized portions.
To form the pita bread, you can either use a rolling pin, or stretch it with your hands for a more rustic look (and my preference actually ), about 1/4 inch thick.
Heat an outdoor grill. Put the stretched dough on the grill and close the cover. Let bake a minute or two and flip the bread. Grill another minute and remove. If you don’t want to use the grill – heat a non-sticking frying pan to medium-high heat (with no grease) and fry each pita bread for about 3-4 minutes on each side, until slightly colored and still soft. To give more color, push the pita bread with a wooden spoon on the pan. Remove the serve.

My Best Easter Recipes

Sharing my best Easter recipes to plan your holiday menu, you’ll find you will use these recipes again and again as I do.

From by the bay wishing you , a happy spring and holiday!

Maryann

Natural Egg Dye Recipes

Red Beets / Pink Eggs – Grate 4 tablespoons of red beets and add to a heat safe container. Add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 cup boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs to dye.

Red Cabbage/ Blue Eggs – Add 3 tablespoons chopped red cabbage to a heat safe container. Add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and 1 cup boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs.

Annatto Seeds/ Reddish Golden Color – Add 2 tablespoons annatto seeds ( achiote seeds) to 1 cup of water, bring to a boil for about 5 to 7 minutes. Strain. Add eggs to the dye.

Red Cabbage and Turmeric Powder/ Green Color – Add 3 tablespoons chopped red cabbage and 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder to a heat safe container. Add one cup of boiling water. Let sit for 1 hour, strain and add eggs. The result is a speckled color.

Turmeric Powder/ Deep Gold Color – Add 2 teaspoons ground turmeric powder to a heat safe container. Add 1 teaspoon white vinegar and one cup of boiling water. Once dye is cool add eggs . Rinse off any residual powder.

Paprika Powder/ Light Orange – Bring one cup of water and 1 tablespoon of white vinegar to a boil, add 1 tablespoon paprika and continue to boil for 15 minutes. Place in a heat safe container, add eggs to dye while warm. Rinse off any residual powder.Here is the post to make red dyed eggs:https://blog.entertainingbythebay.com/2012/04/03/easter-eggs-with-natural-red-dye.aspx

Herb Crusted Leg of Lamb

Serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

1 leg of lamb approximately 9 pounds, bone in
1 teaspoon olive oil, plus 1/4 teaspoon
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 medium head garlic
1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
zest of 1 lemon
1/4 cup chopped parsley
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/3 cup chardonnay
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 tablespoon chopped rosemary
Directions

Let leg of lamb stand at room temperature for one hour. Preheat oven to 325 degree F. Rub lamb with 1 teaspoon olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt and 1/4 pepper. Place into a heavy roasting pan. Meantime, rub head of garlic with 1/4 teaspoon olive oil, wrap in aluminum foil and roast in the oven for about 1 hour until very soft. Let cool. Cut off the head of the garlic and squeeze cloves into a bowl. Use a fork to mash garlic into a paste. Add the remaining olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, oregano, parsley, thyme leaves and remaining salt and pepper. Mix well and place to the side. Place lamb into the oven and roast for approximately 1 1/4 hours. Rotate pan and roast another 30 minutes. Remove lamb and slather it with the roasted garlic and herb mixture and place back into the oven to roast another hour or until thermometer inserted at the thickest part reads 160 degrees for medium and 170 degrees for well done. Remove from oven and let rest for 20 minutes. Transfer lamb to cuttting board and cover with foil. Pour off fat from the roasting pan and place on medium heat. Sprinkle in flour and stir with wood spoon. Pour in chardonnay to deglaze pan, scraping up the brown bits, reduce liquid to 1/2 and then add the chicken broth, stirring to combine. Add rosemary and salt and pepper to taste. Slice the lamb and serve with the gravy to the side.

Minty Spring Pea and Ramp Salad
Serves 4

Ingredients
1 bunch ramps
2 pounds fresh or frozen baby peas
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon champagne vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
fine sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

Directions
Trim roots from ramps; finely chop white bulbs. Slice green leaves into 1/4-inch strips. Blanche peas by adding into a pot of boiling water for 1 minute, strain and place into a bowl of ice water to stop cooking. Once cooled, strain peas and place into a bowl. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add white part of ramps and cook 1 minute. Add ramp greens and saute until greens are slightly wilted about another minute. Remove from heat and add to peas. Stir in remaining olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Add mint and toss. Serve immediately or at room temperature.

Lemon Pound Cake

Ingredient

1/2 pound butter , at room temperature
3 cups cake flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
5 egga, at room temperature
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
zest of one lemon
Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. In a bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. Grease and flour one 10 inch tube pan. In the bowl of an electric mixer cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs yolks, lemon juice and zest scraping down the sides of the bowl. In a separate bowl, beat the whites until fluffy, continue beating until stiff peaks form. Gently fold some of the flour mixture into the yolk mixture, then some of the whites, and continue alternating this way until you have a well-combined, smooth, fluffy batter. Pour the batter into the tube pan. Make sure to avoid air pockets. Place on baking sheet in the oven for 55 to 60 minutes, until a tester comes out clean. Remove and cool for 10 minutes then invert on rack to finish cooling. Once cool remove from pan and place on tray and serve.

Five Ways to Celebrate Spring

It’s been a very long winter, I’m so ready for spring! This is how I am celebrating Spring by the bay!

1. Enjoying the crocus I planted last year

2. Putting bowls of lemons around the house

3. Planter filled with pansies on the front porch

4. Bread, butter, baby radishes and sea salt!

Simple Radish Crostini
Serves 4
Ingredients

2 fresh radishes
2 tablespoons salted butter
4 slices ciabatta bread
Coarse sea salt

Directons
Clean radishes and using a mandoline slice the radish into rounds. Keep radish slices in iced water until ready to use. In a 400F degree oven, place 4 slices of ciabatta bread on a baking sheet in the oven until the bread starts to brown, flip bread over and toast the other side, 2-3 mins per side. Let toasted ciabatta bread cool a little, then spread with the best salted butter you can buy. Take radish slices out of the water and dry with a paper towel before layering the rounds on top the bread and butter. Sprinkle with coarse sea salt and serve.

5. Fresh asparagus crostini – oh my!

Asparagus Puree with Lemon Ricotta Crostini
Serves 4
Ingredients

16 very thin asparagus spears or 8 asparagus thicker spears
2 tablespoons fresh mint
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
¼ pound fresh ricotta cheese
4 tablespoons grated pecorino cheese
4 slices ciabatta bread toasted
Coarse sea salt
Fresh ground black pepper
Directions

Clean asparagus, remove the tender tips and place to the side. Snap off woody stems and discard. In to food processor add asparagus stalks broken into pieces and coarsely chop. Add the following to the asparagus: mint, olive oil, lemon juice and 2 tbs. grated pecorino. Pulse a few times. In a separate bowl combine the ricotta cheese, lemon zest salt and pepper. On hot toasted ciabatta bread layer the ricotta cheese, puree asparagus, grated pecorino cheese. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and add asparagus spear to the top.

Avocado Hummus

It’s seems like an endless winter , every weekend seems to have some sort a storm where you end up staying indoors for part of the weekend watching TV. The wintery weather is perfect for TV binge-watching especially with the latest release of “House of Cards” on Netflix. Here is a perfect dip for chips or vegetables to go along with the binge-watching – avocado hummus. It’s a cross between guacamole and hummus. The avocado makes the hummus even creamier and the jalapeno adds just the right amount of heat. You and your guests will love this dip!

From by the bay wishing you great binge-watching food memories !

Maryann

Avocado Hummus

Ingredients

15.5 ounces Chick Peas / Garbanzos , drained and rinsed
2 Hass avocados, peeled and chopped
1/2 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon chopped jalapeno
2 tablespoons lemon juice
11/2 teaspoons sea salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
optional: jalapeno rounds to garnish

Directions

Place all ingredients into a food processor and process until smooth. Serve cold or room temperature with corn chips or pita chips.

Top Super Bowl Sunday Recipes

Enjoy watching the Super Bowl with these favorite recipes!

From by the bay, wishing you super food memories!

Maryann

Guacamole
Serves 4

Ingredients
3 Haas avocados, ripe
3 tablespoons lime juice
1/4 cup scallions, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
1 teaspoon sea salt

Directions
In a medium bowl add the lime juice and sea salt , let the salt dissolve. Cut and remove flesh from avocado and place into bowl with lime juice /salt along with scallions and mash with fork. Add ingredients listed below depending on the version you are making and mix well. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Jalapeno Burger

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 1/2 pounds ground beef chuck ( each pattie 6 ounces)
4 ciabatta rolls
8 slices bacon
4 slices colby cheddar cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons jalapeno rings, coarsely chopped
Directions

In a food processor add mayonnaise and jalapeno. Process until well blended. Refrigerate until ready to use. Make 4 patties from the ground beef, shaping into ovals. In a medium sauce pan, fry bacon until crispy, place on paper towel to drain. Build a medium-hot fire in a charcoal grill, or heat a gas grill to high. Season one side of patties with salt and pepper; place on grill, seasoned side down. Grill until lightly charred on bottom, about 4 minutes. Season other side, turn, and top with cheese. Grill to desired doneness, about 4 minutes longer for medium. Transfer burgers to dish and let stand for 3 minutes before serving. Meanwhile, toast buns on grill on until the edges start to brown. Remove bottoms of each bun and add cheese to tops to melt. To assemble burger take toasted bottoms, spread jalapeno mayonnaise on each bottom. Add the burger, the bacon and then top with bun with melted cheese. Serve immediately.

Bloody Mary Mix with Candied Bacon

Makes approximately 32 ounces of mix

Ingredients

1 (25-ounce) jar tomato passata, preferably San Marzano or best quality tomato juice
3 tablespoons freshly grated horseradish or best quality prepared grated horseradish
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice from 4 to 5 lemons
3 celery stalks, cut into 1 inch pieces
1/2 cup water
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon fine grey sea salt
1 teaspoon celery salt
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
8 slices bacon, 1/4 inch thick, best quality
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
Directions
Place tomato passata in a bowl. In a food processor add the celery and 1/4 cup water and blend. Strain liquid into a cup. You should have about 1/4 cup liquid. Discard the solids and add the celery infused water to the tomatoes. To the tomato base add horseradish, lemon juice, remaining 1/4 cup water, vinegars, salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and cayenne. Refrigerate until ready to use. About an hour before serving preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place bacon, brown sugar and 1 teaspoon black pepper in a bowl. Mix well. Place slices bacon flat onto the parchment paper. Sprinkle any remaining sugar on the bacon. Cover bacon with a second sheet of parchment. Place a second baking sheet on top of the parchment. This will keep the bacon flat while cooking. Place in the oven and bake for 20 minutes, remove top baking sheet and parchment paper and let continue to bake another 10 minutes or until crispy and a dark brown color. Remove from oven and place on rack to cool immediately.

CRISPY BAKED HOT CHICKEN WING RECIPE
Adapted from Bon Appetit Test Kitchen

INGREDIENTS
HONEY BUFFALO SAUCE
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup honey
WINGS
3 pounds chicken wings, tips removed, drumettes and flats separated
1 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 teaspoons fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°. Set a non stick wire rack inside each of 1 large rimmed baking sheet lined with foil. Place all ingredients in a large bowl; toss to coat. Place wings on the prepared rack and spread out in a single layer. Bake wings until cooked through and skin is crispy, 45–50 minutes. Remove wings from oven place in bowl, pour sauce on top toss and place back in the oven. Bake for 10 minutes until it starts to brown. Serve immediately.

Orange Cranberry and Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes 2 1/2 Dozen cookies

Ingredients
1 cup all purpose flour, plus two tablespoons
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
1 teaspoon orange zest
1 teaspoon orange juice
1/2 cup dried cranberries

Directions
Preheat over to 375 degrees F. In a large bowl add the butter, sugars and vanilla. Use an electric mixer and beat ingredients until light and fluffy. Add the egg , orange rind and juice and beat in well. In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda and salt. Add to the butter mixture slowly and mix at a low speed. Next add the chopped chocolate and dried cranberries and combine. Drop in rounded teaspoons of dough onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes, until slightly brown on bottom. Remove and cool on wire racks. Store in air tight containers.

entertaining by the bay

casual cooking and living

Category Archives: appetizer

Award Winning Party Foods

Caramelized Onion Dip

My Five Favorite Recipes of 2015!

Homemade Potato Chips

Pumpkin Corn Bisque

Jalapeno Hummus

Ingredients

Instructions

My Best Easter Recipes

Five Ways to Celebrate Spring

Avocado Hummus