A Really Simple Bruschetta

 All you need is some tomatoes  olive oil and garlic  along with a good loaf of Italian or even French bread.to create a good bruschetta. Basil is sometimes thrown in for color and more flavor but other ingredients can be added as well. 

A Wal-Mart Mother's Day haul brought some interesting goodies. I found an everything French bread there, which is more of an Italian style loaf with a topping of sesame  and poppy seeds along with dried onion flakes.

I had originally wanted to turn the peppers and tomatoes I had also bought into a kind of ratatouille but didn't;t have the time yesterday, What to do ?

Chop  up the veggies into small pieces and toss with some good Lidl olive oil , salt and garlic powder.

No it's not a traditional bruschetta. That's made with balsamic vinegar which would kill me. I'm allergic to it and red wine vinegar would have been too tart. I settled on a good dousing of olive oil followed by a healthy pinch of garlic powder and some salt.You could add shredded mozzarella to this if you want or onions to vary it.

The end result is a tasty  and quick lunch or dinner. It can also be served on crisped flatbread for an appetizer or hors d'ouevre. This simple  can also be a refreshing sides to burgers on the grill. 

All you need is some chopped tomatoes, and olive oil for a simple bruschetta. This fits the description perfectly. Try it with fresh veggies and spices for a tasty meal.

A South Of The Border Twist

 Tomorrow is Cinco De Mayo and that means an abundance of good Mexican food. Yet any dish can benefit from a little salsa, or a slice of avocado.it's just adding a Mexican twist on things.

Beans can easily be spiced up with a variety of different spices.I made an all bean chili dish that had chili spices in the,.This is what I got on my Lidl haul and thought it would be a fun and easy dish with Lidl's instant rice. Cumin and cayenne are what give Mexican food it's unique flavor. You can easily use these in a day rub for chicken or beef. You could also create a carne asada. which is a mix if any kind of citrus juice with a splash of soy sauce. Rich spices such a as cumin, paprika  and chili powder are added for more flavor. Olive oil is added for smoothness. A typical marinade time for carne asada is around twenty four hours.

Adding anything with avocados to a dish s always a good thing. I cannot resist Lidl's Avocado Fritters.These are tasty breaded strips that can easily be air fired

The photo is  a bit dark but you can see the fries Yet avocado can also be added to a ciambatta with tomatoes and onions .This is a recipe from the famed British chef and baker Mary Berry.Adding avocado gives a creaminess and balance to an other wise tangy sandwich. You could also add a layer of guacamole to any chicken or turkey sandwich too for something different. Salsa, another Mexican classic can be mixed in to any tomato sauce or bruschetta for a zingy twist on Italian classics.

It's Cinco de Mayo.Yet the Mexican influence can be used all year round. Try adding a dash of chili powder a slice of avocado or a splash of salsa to any  dish.

Last Minute Valentine's Treats

There's still time to celebrate this day of love  It's easy to do even without going to a fancy restaurant. There are plenty of savory and sweet  treats you can whip up. 

You may not have the time to run out and get a lobster and then cook it. However you could make a yummy, lush shrimp dish with just the air fryer. It's just spritzing the seafood with an olive oil spray and them dipping them into a quick mix of garlic powder, salt, pepper and oregano. It's cooking them for only eight minutes at 350 degrees Farenheit. Serve them on lightly oiled and toasted Italian bread slices.Those slices can also be covered with a simple bruschetta using plum tomatoes, chopped onions and chopped black olives. A charcuterie board is a lovely and romantic way to celebrate the night . Have a variety of different crackers along with  regular and Genoa salami, along with pepperoni. Spreadable cheeses are always a nice addition too, so have a wedge of Brie and Camenbert(don't worry about having too much, all of this will make a nice lunch for tomorrow). Cornichons and gherkins finish it off. An impromptu barbecue under the stars is a great  get together if you're in a mild climate. Just have two burgers and dogs. along with two cold beers - or upgrade it with a split of champagne.

Sweet treats are also a welcomed gift. Chocolate fondue is a fun sweet, perfect for two. It's just melting dark chocolate with whole cream until it becomes satiny and smooth. Use fondue forks or even skewers to dip in everything from marshmallows to strawberries. Also have pound cake chunks and plain vanilla doughnut holes too.Sharing a hot fudge sundae is another romantic treat. The sauce is a delicious mix of dark chocolate chips evaporated milk, butter and a dash of vanilla. Spoon it over coffee ice cream and top with a good dollop of Reddi Whip for a frozen mocchaccino taste. You can also make the traditional hot fudge sundae with vanilla ice cream , sauce and whipped cream. Add sliced strawberries and bananas for more flavor. You could also layer on salted peanuts for a tin roof. If you're outdoors, think about a more sophisticated version of a s'more. Use good Valrhona dark chocolate with the marshmallows and place on chocolate graham crackers. You could add a sprinkle of candied ginger for heat and to cut the over sweetness.

Celebrate your love with the love of good foods. You have time to create these simple yet lush treats. Enjoy the night with them.

It's Party Time Again

 Things re getting back to what we remember before the pandemic. With that small parties are coming back. It's time for a refresher in how to create a fun little do.

Small parties are allowed right now. They're a great way of easing into bigger ones later on. That means getting the right amount of food and ingredients. Don't go overboard. You may have a fridge full of leftovers later on.As with all get togethers ask your guests what they'd like. This is their party too and it would be extra special to welcome them back  with favorite recipes. Everyone loves burgers. You can have the regular beef along with Beyond or Impossible Burgers. Customize them for your guests. Add a slices of avocado  and tomato. Create a special sauce along with having barbecue sauce, ketchup and mustard. Also have slices of everyone's favorite cheeses for tasty cheeseburgers. Make smaller amounts of potato and macaroni salads. If you feel the last may be too much work, then buy them at  your grocery store. As for chicken and ribs, again don't go overboard. Figure about five to six wings per person and two to three for kids. You could also buy breasts and legs too and marinate all in a traditional barbecue sauce. As for ribs, most people usually go through five to six ribs with kids having one or two.

Many are craving fancier dos. You can easily do this with a smaller crowd. Think individual plates full of hors d'ouevres. Bruschetta is always a must. It's easy to make  with chopped tomatoes mixed with olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or red wine if it's too intense) and garlic. You can vary it by mixing cherry and grape tomatoes with plum. You can also add a layer of prosciutto or salame to give ti some oomph. Small squares of the Greek spinach pie , spanokopita are also good to serve. Many home chefs find this a bit labor intensive but there are short cuts. Use frozen puff pastry along with frozen spinach to make them. It also requires sauteed chopped onion but you can also use onion powder too.Mini quiches are another tasty and elegant bite. You can easily buy these in any grocery but you can also make these at home. Again there are shortcuts for these. Use frozen pie crust and then mold it in mini muffin tins. Have fun with the fillings. Try the traditional ham for mini quiche Lorraines or veggie ones with broccoli and asparagus. You can also have Gruyere cheese and bacon too. Since it is a party., serve plastic flutes filled with champagne to celebrate .your reunion.

It's time to party again! Serve good old fashioned barbecue fare or something more elegant. Just serve! It's time to enjoy good food and good friends again.

Birthday Feasts At Home

 There are still birthdays. There are still reasons to have fancy foods and cake. The best part is that you don't have to cook or bake any of it. There are restaurants that can handle everything for you. Que Pasta in Saddle Brook New Jersey is one eatery to take care of birthday feasts.

The restaurant has been known for their delicious pastas and sauce for twenty-five years. They've also been catering fantastic parties, full of all sorts of Italian classics for that long too.. We had a party , thanks to them - at home.

                                      We ordered their Megapack which has one baked dish, salad, bruschetta, garlic bread and brownies. 

It was baked penne which went in a heartbeat along with the included garlic bread , also devoured in a second.

With this came bruschetta and an ample house salad with balsamic vinegar. These were heavenly too, perfect with the cheesy, saucy penne, Dessert was bite sized brownies.

These were the perfect ending. The best part was that this entire feast was only $39.95 for four people. It can be stretched to five.They have a Monsterpack for ten dollars more with a chicken dish  such as francese , Foresto ,(with artichoke and spinach) Marsala or Parmesan Other restaurants are offering party packs, Take advantage of these. They're a great way of celebrating at home. Some even offer delivery.

Birthdays will still happen. Celebrate the way we used to in our favorite restaurants. Order the party packs and enjoy a festive feast.

Fortifying Yourself

This is the season for colds and sore throats. These can be a real pain , especially if they keep recurring. What to do? Fortify yourself and your system with good foods. Forget comfort bites this winter . It's time to go to strength foods.

After the holidays we need to become serious about citrus fruits. One, they're a refreshing change up from all those sweets and treats and two, they are strength foods, meaning they'll strengthen our immune systems.Citrus fruits such as oranges increase our white blood cells which are used in fighting infections.Even lemons and limes do this as well. Unlike oranges, it's hard to eat both on their own, thanks to their tartness. What you can do is sub in lemon or lime juice for vinegar in vinaigrettes. This makes for a zingy and fun dressing that works for everything from a simple salad to a veggie and fish laden Nicoise. Lemons also can be used to marinate different vegetables , giving them a summery, bright taste. Add a squeeze of lime to guacamole or salsa to elevate flavor. Lemon and lime juice can be added to green and black teas for more taste too. Grapefruit is the mega strength food of all the citrus. It not only boosts immunity but also has antioxidant properties that help fight harmful bacteria and viruses. Again this may be too tart . Drizzle dark honey on top for a tasty breakfast or dessert.

Citrus isn't the only strength food There are veggies that can help fight off colds and sore throats too. Red bell peppers are one, thanks to the infusion of Vitamin C.It's also a rich source of beta carotene which is good for your eyes. Red peppers are versatile. Sliced, they can be added to a salad for some color and sweetness. Cooked, they liven up everything from stir fries to meat loaf. They're also good stuffed with Beyond Meat and onions.Another strength food? Broccoli. Again, the florets are good hot or cold. A side of broccoli with just a lemon and butter sauce is great with chicken breasts or even lam chops. A broccoli salad jazzed up with another immunity booster garlic is a great side with everything from pizza to steak. As for garlic, try to cook a lot with it during these germy times. Use a liberal dose of it when you make homemade sauce . Better yet try that light Italian classic aglia olio, the garlicky oil sauce that's delicious with angel hair  pasta or spaghetti.It can also be drizzled on bruschetta too.If you want a bit more spice but with the same immunity booster, then use ginger, especially if you have a sore throat. Brew ginger tea with freshly cut slices of it to reduce a sore throat 's inflammation.

Get yourself and your immune system fortified by adding strength foods to your diet. You won't be a victim to colds and flu anymore. You not only feel healthy but be healthy too.

A Gourmet's Halloween Party

The usual Halloween party consists consists of cocktail wienies with dough wrapped around them and some drink died vampire blood red. Yet you can still have a themed party with good and fun to eat food. It's just getting creative with top notch ingredients.

Popcorn is a party must and it can be upgraded to scary good. First pop it in olive oil. This is easy to do if you have a Colonel Popper type of microwave popper. The olive oil gives the corn a rich flavor. After popping add sea salt and rosemary for more flavor. Cheese is another must serve and you can cut out the words BOO or create little ghosts from the delightfully smoky Gouda cheese. You can also cut them in jagged tooth shapes and rename them "vampire fangs" or "monster molars". Bruschetta get'a a cool but frightening renaming, Make the tasty tomato mix as more of a dip and rename it Deadly Nightshade Dip. The plant along with its' cousin , eggplant are from the deadly nightshade family. You can also combine the two along with onions into a "Risky Ratatouille". Serve with slices of crispy, warm baguettes , with the ends cut to resemble the ends of bones. Keep in mind that both the bruschetta and ratatouille can also top both pizzas and flat breads.

If you want to go ultra gourmet think lobster or even shrimp fra diavolo , done in the style of the devil monk (now that's a hair raising thought). The sauce is crushed red pepper cooked in a classic tomato sauce. Add some cayenne for eye watering heat. Another main dish idea is vampire fighting chicken cooked with forty (!) cloves of garlic. This classic French dish combines chicken with butter, chicken broth and white wine with those forty (!) cloves into a tasty main meal, perfect with sliced baguettes. Serve with graveyard moss - spinach with mushrooms. A sinfully sweet dessert is the perfect end to any of these dishes. Candy apples are always a Halloween must but grow it up a bit with a candy coating of brandy, apple cider and red hot cinnamon drops  cooked with the usual sugar. Put the apples on sturdy rwigs instead of tongue depressors. Cookies and cupcakes are nice endings too. Think dark chocolate skeleton cookies made with 90 per cent dark chocolate bars and cupcakes done in the Mexican hot cocoa style  baked with fiery spices.

Halloween can be a time for gourmet fun. Bring out the lobster and rich chocolate. This a tasty trick or treat for the sophisticated palate.

Too Hot To Cook

We are in the middle of a heat wave. Temps will raise in the upcoming weeks. Cooking will be impossible. What to do? Not cook.

In this day and age, it's easy to get take out food. Despite all the uproar about eating burgers and fries,  they're handy and they are filling. What can be done is careful choosing. Luckily all chains list their calories on their online menus. You can choose wisely and have a low calorie, no fuss meal. Burger King offers the Morningstar Farms veggie burger which is only 390 calories. Have their onion rings which are only 150 calories for a small serving. Panera is another chain that delivers and they have healthy choices for the whole family. You can customize  salads with ingredients you like. Try their Caesar salad which is only 390 calories or their garden salad. Toss in some avocado and almonds for more flavor and protein. Panera's sandwiches are also light - perfect for these steamy days. Order a few of their Mediterranean veggie sandwiches. Tasty tomato basil bread holds hummus, and a slew of veggies like tomato , cucumber and onions. A plus is that Panera also has low calorie drinks too. Their iced teas are zero calorie while their prickly pear hibiscus agua fresca is 90 calories for a 20 fluid ounce glass.

Of course you can make no cook dishes. One of the easiest is hummus. It should be made with chickpeas, tahini sauce , garlic and a squirt of lemon juice. It's then mashing it or using an immersion blender to get a creamy texture. Hummus is one of those recipes that can be varied. Since I don't I usually add cannellini beans. Garlic is kept to a minimum and I usually nix the tahini. The flavor is actually milder without all the seasoning and to me more palatable. Cut pita into triangles, and serve with the hummus. If you can stand a little heat , place the pita triangles in a 350 degree F toaster oven for five minutes. Brush both sides with olive oil for a crispy ,crunchy  chip. Other spreads like cream cheese salad can make for a tasty and satisfying dip or sandwich filler. Add chopped green olives and pimentos for color and flavor or minced garlic for tang. Scallions and chives would also make for a colorful addition. The cream cheese spreads would also be perfect for Sunday morning bagels too.Another easy to make spread is bruschetta. Cut up Roma tomatoes and mix with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.Garlic and fresh basil are also added for spice and zest. Serve on slices of Italian bread.

It's hot . It's a chore to cook. Go for the no cooking option for a cool way to eat.

A Fancy Barbecue

Could a barbecue be  elegant? Can  lobster and London broil replace dogs and burgers?The answer is yes. It's just a matter of elevating the menu and adding a fancy spin on backyard dining.

First of all establish some sort of dress code for the guests. The best bet is looking to beach weddings for inspiration. A semi formal look would be fine. It's not overly formal, and comfortable enough to relax in. Think slacks and a button down shirts for men while any summer dress and sandals will do for women. As for the host's end, if you're doing the grilling , grill in old clothes, then change.If it's too much serve food that can be made in advance.What do you serve at this sort of gathering?Good food , but not the usual messy fare. The best way to decide on a menu is think of what you would have at an indoor party. One of the easiest paths to take is having a buffet.It's a no brainer to set up tables at your yard's parameters , leaving the space in between for tables and chairs. Have chilled bruschetta topping just warmed Italian and French bread slices.You can do a different spin on it , by putting swirls of basil or kale pesto on the slices.Polenta rounds  topped with sauteed cremini and shiitake mushrooms are another lovely opener.  Try cherry tomatoes stuffed with minced mozzarella - a perfect warm weather treat, especially when paired with champagne.

What about the main fare? Serve spiral ham and London broil along with roast turkey.  All can be grilled, the turkey  does need to be tented with aluminum foil when cooking outside. Another idea is barbecued shrimp which can be put on mini skewers for easy  no mess handling . Want to add another level of elegance? Then think of serving barbecued lobster tails. Surprisingly , they're easy to cook on the grill. Start with a lemony marinade of lemon juice, zest and olive oil - or canola oil for a lighter touch. Best of all the tails are a fast cook - only taking ten to twelve minutes . They can be cut into nuggets for easier, no fuss eating. Scallops are another elegant choice. Soak them in a lime marinade for something different. As far as sides, think classic yet simple.An avocado mousse, made with cream and spiked with chili peppers is a good choice,perfect with chicken or seafood. A Spring greens salad is also an ideal foil for any red meat main dish. As for ending the meal, place plates of petit fours and fancy homemade shortbreads on the table.Confectioner's sugar dusted cupcakes are another lovely way to end. Serve coffee and tea in fancy plastic cups that you can buy from Amazon. These come in silver or gold and provide a classy touch.

Yes, a barbecue can be classy and elegant. It starts with smartly dressed guests dining on fancy food on fancy plates. What a great way to start the summer grilling season.

Farm Fresh Desserts

Imagine desserts that are bursting with fresh flavor and fresh fruits of the season. It would be a different spin on classics and much loved treats. Thanks to a new cookbook , it's now easy to incorporate any harvest into tasty desserts and snacks.

Farm-to-table Desserts ( Skyhorse Publishing 2017) is an interesting cookbook written by Lei Shishak,best known for her Beach House Baking and Beach House Brunch.Ms. Shishak has written a book to cover all seasons which are delineated in her book. There are recipes for the four seasons that highlights the harvests of each particular one. right from the start she recommends heading to the local farmer's market.Her reasoning makes sense. Produce begins to lose its' nutritional value soon after its' harvested and continues to decline as time elapses. Fresh picked fruit and vegetables still have the highest amount of vitamins and minerals. She also explains why we should support our local farmers and buy from the farmers directly, giving them the full price. She also is a big believer in cooking and baking with organic fruit too. It  has no chemical pesticides and genetic modifications.
There's also a handy conversion chart for overseas home bakers too that converts tablespoons and teaspoons into grams and milliliters.

One of the best parts of the book is the recipes divided by season. For Spring home bakers can try such treats as maple creme caramel or rhubarb mint ice cream. Since late Spring is the time for cherry  and peach harvests there are the white peach and cherry crumble and apricot peach crostata. The summer and fall recipes really shine . A chilled cantaloupe soup would be the perfect end to a hot night of barbecuing, A homemade mango granita would be a great cool down during a heat wave.Every kind of berry is also featured and Ms. Shishak has a delicious recipe for a berry Pavlova, a yummy meringue filled with blackberries, blueberries and raspberries.Fresh mint decorates these elegant little bowls.Strawberry shortcake, a summer classic is turned into a roll with roasted (!) strawberries transformed into a jam, Fall brings roasted grape bruschetta and pear cake,baked with a cornucopia of  spices such as allspice cloves and cardamon, Yes, there's a baked apple recipe, and this time it has a homemade butterscotch sauce. Winter brings banana and lemon recipes like banana souffle,  and a Meyer lemon cake  both perfect for the holidays.

Farm-to-table Desserts is a must for any home baker longing to cook with fresh ingredients. It is chock full of recipes for any time of the year. They are delicious ways to enjoy organic fruit.

Quick Dinners

There are those days when we come home too hungry to cook. It's usually after a hectic work day, or a day full of chores or activities. What to do - act quick. You can have meals that are easy and fast  to make.

The most obvious answer to a  quickly had meals would be take out. Unfortunately, there is a wait time for pizza and Chinese, unless you call from the office and car. Even then, there's some kind of prep and cooking time , especially if the restaurant is having a busy night. There is also the fast food joints, but again there are lines , and the off chance of having a very greasy supper. The best bet is stocking your fridge and pantry with ingredients that cook up quickly. One of my favorites is instant rice. Boil it with any kind of bouillon - beef, chicken or vegetable, add some butter and even a sprinkled of Parmesan and you have a kind of poor man's  risotto. Pasta, too , is a quick make. Again add butter for pasta con burro or minced garlic and oil for aglia e olio. Fresh veggies can be also be mixed in for a pasta crudo. Even jsliced grape or cherry tomatoes mixed with vine ripes make for  an interesting "raw" sauce.

If you want something more substantial, then get out the frying pan.One of my favorites is an easy spin on beef with scallions. It's sauteing soy meat  crumbles (Morningstar Farms has the best) and chopped scallions. A slug of Kikoman soy sauce adds flavor and zest. As this is cooking, cellophane noodles are being boiled  and are then mixed with the meat . Real beef and chicken can be subbed in for a more substantial dinner. Another quick meal is a one egg frittata or omelet. These are wonderful because you can add all sorts of extras in them to make them more satisfying. Chop up ham and American cheese  for a Western Omelet, Serve it on toast for a sandwich.Think a fritatta zinged up with chopped vine ripe tomatoes and Parmesan cheese for an Italian spin . Have slices of toasted Italian bread with it for a heartier meal. Italian bread can also be the base for bruschetta. The tomatoes can be made the night before or earlier in the day. It requires the plum variety but vine ripes work well here too. It's then mixing in oil, balsamic vinegar and basil  together to be spooned on slices of Italian bread or even sliced ciabatta rolls for a speedy and delicious dinner.Add minced Italian cold cuts such as pepperoni or soppressata for more substance.


A quick dinner can be made , without having to resort to take out or drive through. Cook up some rice or pasta, Create a tasty Chinese beef or omelet. Enjoy a frittata or bruschetta in minutes. These are easy meals, perfect after a busy , hectic day.

A Comfy Oscar Party

Oscar night means Oscar parties. For many of us  - including those who weren't nominated  - it means watching them at home,with a favorite meal or snack to nosh on.Nothing beats enjoying favorite nibbles while watching favorite stars win.

Pizza is always a fun party food.It's so much better coming straight from the oven.If you don't want to  go through all the steps, there are the instant ones like Celeste's that offer pizzas for one. These are big enough to be shared for two.For those who love the idea of a fresh from the oven pie, try Pilsbury's pizza dough. It's already made and just needs to be rolled out, topped and baked, Top with such toppings as an all meat that includes salami, pepperoni and capicola, or a veggie one that has peppers onions and olives.another variation is English muffin pizzas. These are super easy to make and super fun to eat.These can be made in a toaster oven although they do come out crisper if they're baked in the oven. Want something a tad more glam? Think bruschetta. This is an easy make that just involves cutting up plum tomatoes and mixing them with basil, olive oil and garlic. You can add a dash of balsamic vinegar for some tartness. serve o toasted rounds of Italian and French bread.

A fun home party food is pigs in blankets. Take regular hot dogs and cut them into thirds. Wrap a crescent roll around them and bake  for thirty minutes. dip into sauces such as forty karat mustard , made extra golden like Oscar himself with the addition of curry. Also try a homemade honey mustard one made with wildflower honey and a spicy barbecue one. One of the easiest and tastiest - and my favorite is homemade guacamole and chips.Use the blackest ones  to create the dip. These are the ripest and will produce an ultra creamy dip . I like to use vine ripe tomatoes for a dash of color
and a jolt of needed sweet and tart. Remember to drizzle some olive oil in to give the texture some smoothness. Of course, the night is all about movies and that means popcorn. Go old school with air popped , then bathed in real butter. A sweet fun variation is kettle corn.It's an easy recipe that just involves adding sugar to kernels and oil and then popping over a low flame.Use white sugar for a popcorn ball taste or brown sugar for a caramel corn one.

Oscar nights mean Oscar treats, full of fun and flavor.Make your faves or try something new and adventurous. sit back, nosh, and root for your favorites to win.

An Elegant Super Bowl Affair

Tomorrow  millions of Americans will be awash in greasy chins and Doritos fuzz all over their fingers.Most see Super Bowl parties as an orgy in snacks and fun foods. However there are some foodie snobs out there who will balk  at the idea of heroes and pizza washed down with beer. There can be an elegant side to a Super Bowl party, It can be so elegant that you'll think you're at a Downton Abbey finale.

Sandwiches can be served but think elegant, not the overstuffed kind dripping with oil and cheese. Have homemade loaves of white bread cut , and crustless if you want to go that extra mile. Have fresh roast turkey , roast ham and roast beef along with chicken.(hiring a waiter  to do this is recommended so you can time chatting with your guests.) Also a whole cold chicken or turkey, sliced to what guests what is also a nice turn.Have little bowls of tarragon mayo and mustard around for guests to delicately slather on their sandwiches.Cucumber salad makes a nice change from potato and macaroni salad.It's an easy recipe with sliced cucumber dressed with a simple sour cream and dill dressing. You can sub in plain Greek yogurt for lighter fare.If you want to add a dash of the exotic then serve bruschetta on toasted Italian bread. Again this is so easy to make , with just coarsely chopping tomatoes and onions in a food processor , and then  adding some parsley and rosemary for flavor. The base is slices of Italian bread that has been brush with olive oil and rubbed with garlic cloves.A slice of prosciutto can be added for more flavor.

All SuperBowl games are usually away in beer and later there's some kind of drinking game that involve tequila. Rise above this with glasses of champagne served in elegant flutes. Champagne cocktails can also be served. This is placing a sugar cube well soaked in Angostura bitters at the bottom of a flute and then filling it with your best vintage. Garnish with a lemon or orange rind. Of course martinis are the ultimate sophisticated party drink. This is pouring 2  1/2 ounces of gin and 1/2 ounce of vermouth  into an iced filled mixing glass. Stir for a brief thirty seconds  and then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. You can garnish with the usual three olives or lemon wedge, depending upon your guests tastes. A variation is the Gibson , which is decorating the drink with a cocktail onion.Nibble foods should be on hand but not the usual greasy chips or guac. Think spicy nuts and savory shortbreads.The first is taking any kind of nut and lightly baking them with a light dusting of cumin or  finely ground chile powder (don't go too wild with the spices because they'll leave guests with stained fingers- an evening affair taboo). Shortbreads are baked the usual way but with less sugar and more grated Parmesan and rosemary added.


Yes. you can throw an elegant Super Bowl party. Make a roast , open up a few bottles of champagne and enjoy the game in a civilized manner. It's a different kind of fun and a different kind of taste.

Stepping Up Those Sides

Now that it's picnic and barbecue season, it's time to bring out those sides. Ribs and sandwiches call  for an accompaniment of salads and slaws - and everything in between. Yet these can get boring - even cloying.It's time to shake them up and  make them a little more zestier.

Cole slaw is a big hit right now. It's a snap to whip up and goes with everything from hamburgers to kebobs to heroes. Yet a simple mayo one can be a snore , especially if it's made with run of the mill mayonnaise. Zing it up with some tarragon  or even the addition of sliced radishes. These add bite and color along with a nice crunch. Apple slaw is something different and would work well with grilled pork chops. You still need the cabbage but also both Granny Smith and any kind of red apple is used too. A pinch of brown sugar can be added along with some red peppers.Cole slaw can be made with a vinaigrette too. In fact this is lighter and much more tastier version  being lower in calories. To give it a little lift try a flavored vinegar such as a pomegranate or blueberry infused one.You could also add coarsely ground peppercorns to give it a little heat as well. Tomato salad is another warm weather fave. This can be made a variety of ways, from just simply slice tomatoes with oil and garlic to a Neapolitan bread salad which features chunks of marinated Italian bread and tomatoes slices or quarters. This is a great side to any steak or even fish.

Bean salads are a picnic must.Every year the family recipe is trotted out.This is usually a mix of kidney,green and wax beans.It's then drenched with  a sweetened oil and vinegar dressing poured on top  and then left in the fridge to marinate for a few hours. The result is an often soggy , overly sugared side that has little or no appeal. Instead mix up the recipe. Have a Mediterranean style salad with the kidney beans now being mixed with garbanzo and cannellini beans. Keep the oil and vinegar but nix the sugar. Add a good dose of both oregano and rosemary. You can even serve it on grilled Italian bread for a kind of bruschetta.String bean salad is another picnic and barbecue chestnut that ought to be reinvented - and it can. Use balsamic vinegar this time ,instead of the traditional red wine for dressing.,Toss in some chopped onions or shallots and then sprinkle some freshly ground Parmesan on as a finishing touch. For a more Gallic spin just serve the green beans with a punchy Dijon dressing.This is just simply Dijon mustard thinned with olive oil and some capers Dress the beans while they're still hot so that the dressing clings to them. Cherry tomatoes can be added for color and more flavor.

Sides don't have to be boring. Liven them up for an interesting picnic or barbecue. They'll add zest and flavor to a traditional cookout

Holiday Nibble Time

These next two weeks are going to be filled with all sorts of parties from tree trimming to at home office gatherings. It's the time of the year to dust off all those hors d' oeuvre recipes and pick out what works. After all, a full blown sit down dinner is a bit too fusty for all that mingling. The best bet is to serve trays of nibbles, first savory and then sweet with coffee and liqueurs afterwards.

Savory appetizers are easy to serve and to make. They also go great with everything from non alcoholic punches and sodas to champagne. One of the easiest is bruschetta . This is just simply toasted rounds of sliced Italian and/or French breads with a scoop of chopped tomatoes , olive oil and spices. You can vary the recipe by placing slices of Italian cold cuts such as Genoa salami or soppressata under the tomatoes. For healthier fair try inch long celery bits stuffed with a mix of cream cheese and chopped hard boiled egg. These are tasty and fun without being oh so decadent.Another idea is getting trays of frozen nibbles. There are some great ones out there,especially from Target's Archer Farms brands. Try crab or chicken puffs which are easy to dip and easy to maneuver. Themed savories such as Japanese or Mexican also make for fun eating.

Nibbles aren't only relegated to the salty and savory. There's nothing like ending the evening with tiny bites of sweetness. A fun ender is stuffed dates. These are easy to make, with stuffing pitted dates with either creamy or chunky peanut butter and then rolling in granulated sugar. You can also make mini brittles which is forming small clusters or hills of nuts and then pouring a heated sugar syrup ove r them. Spiced nuts are also good. All it takes are any nut of choice and then dipping them in egg white. Later roll in a mix of cinnamon and sugar or for more zip and zing nutmeg and mace . Bake for twenty minutes for 25 minutes. Mini tartlets or galettes are a great dessert. These can be made with biscuit dough cut in small squares and filled with pie filling. Of course there are the traditional cookies and bars too. If you're serving these , then vary it with a melange of shortbreads, bars, sugar cookies and chocolate chips. You can add some sophisticated types such as madeleines and macarons.

This is the time for fun eating and fun parties. Try a night of nibbles to satisfy guests . Nothing beats a bize size treats to get a gathering going!

Appetizing Appetizers

How do you start off a meal? Serve appetizers to whet the appetite as well as to quell any hunger pains. What's great about them is that you can make them as simple or as elaborate as the occasion calls for. Sometimes all it requires is just fancy cheese on crackers , sometimes it's more complicated and involves ingredients used in making a meal. Either way you can be creative and have fun with them.

Appetizers have been around since Roman and Greek times. The ancient Athenians loved to have them served in a buffet where everyone could taste and sample delicacies and favorites. Today's restaurants offer this wide range. You can choose everything from jalapeno poppers to shrimp kabobs along with today's most popular , bruschetta. Restaurants can make any appetizer in large quantities and they are easy to serve. If you're having a large party or affair then ask your caterer to create your favorite restaurant appetizers. After all no one can make 300 bruschetta , fried zucchini or deviled eggs in their kitchen. Let the professionals do the big quantities.

If you're having a small , cozy party then think about just having an appetizer bar. This cuts out the time and hassle of having full courses and lets you have more time with your guests. You can create platters of mini quesadillas and tacos for a Mexican themed one. Tartlets, whether they be filled with Gruyere cheese, spinach or shredded chicken and turkey are also good starters. I love mini quiches in a variety of flavors. These are not only fun to eat but also go well with a host of wines and champagnes. Bruschetta is another favorite of mine but I prefer a vegetable one that also has minced artichoke hearts, cauliflower and broccoli in it. Serve this on slightly oiled and toasted Italian bread and it's a superb hors d' ouevre. You can also add salami to give it more oomph if it's the only appetizer being served.

Appetizers are a fun way to start any meal whether it be in your favorite restaurant or at home. Enjoy them. They make any party more fun and are a great introduction to a good meal.

The Newest Italian Phenomenon - Bruschetta

There's nothing like a good brushetta. That age old Italian hors oeuvre has hit American shores with a big wallop. Now it's all over from pizzerias selling it as a topping to homemakers incorporating it on their holiday menus. It's one of the easiest dishes to make and the most tastiest.

Bruschetta is nothing new. The Italians have been making it since the 1500s. The name comes from the Roman dialect "bruscare" or to be roasted over coals. It's just simpkyslices of oil brushed Italian bread roasted over a fire. Bruschetta means the whole slice but in the US its' meaning has shifted to also mean the topping. The Tuscans call it fettunta meaning oiled slice. In the southern Abruzzi region it's known as ventricina and covered with a raw spiced pork paste and then grilled.

Americans usually like their bruschetta with equal parts mozzarella and tomato.Basil is added to give it a woodsy "green flavor" You can also buy a veggie mix known as vegetable bruschetta which can be slathered on hot grilled Italian bread slices. To mix it up, make your bruschetta with a base of any Italian cold cuts from soprasutta to salami. You can also sub the mozzarella with Parmesan cheese and add chopped peppers to the tomato mix,. Olive, whole or minced are another good topping.


Bruschetta may be a new phenomenon here in the States but it's got old country goodness added to it. It's the perfect pre-meal appetizer to feed hungry guests and the perfect hors d'oeuvre for holiday get togethers.