Hearty grilled polenta cakes topped with spicy tomato salsa and sour cream make a truly crowd-pleasing appetizer — includes a delicious wine pairing.
Category Archives: Entertaining Apps
Parsley-Orange Chicken Sticks with Tzatziki Dipping Sauce
Grilled chicken gets a flavor update with a bright citrus marinade and cool, creamy tzatziki sauce. Best of all, it’s on a skewer — who doesn’t like meat on a stick?
Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Dates
Baked stuffed dates are edible jewels. They’re crispy-bacon-coated, tender mouthfuls of salty-sweet, savory treats. The dates are like smooth caramels, and the surprise cheese filling is the “oh-yeah” factor. I like to make a platter full, set them on the counter, and let my guests help themselves. They’re not shy.
Tagged Amy Taber, baking, BOV800XL, Ovens, Paul Kalemkiarian, Smart Oven Leave a comment
Classic Cheese Soufflés in Individual Ramekins
Soufflés, gratins, and terrines are ideal first-course appetizers that can set the tone for a unique evening. There is something special about offering your guests delicious food in individual ramekins or dishes. It’s like presenting a small gift to each of your friends.
Tagged Amy Taber, baking, BOV800XL, Ovens, Smart Oven Leave a comment
A World of Possibilities with Baked Crab Dip
Served warm, this luscious dip features crab’s delicate yet distinctive flavor. And paired with a light Sauvignon Blanc, it makes a knockout first impression.
Tagged Amy Taber, baking, BOV650XL, BOV800XL, Ovens, Paul Kalemkiarian, Smart Oven 1 Comment
Hot Gingered Prawns
Pairing Shrimp is easy. Pairing Shrimp with Thai sweet chili sauce and ginger is way more complicated. Wine does not go together naturally with sweet flavors unless it is dessert wine, so picking the right wine to go with this Hot Gingered Prawn recipe could be challenging.
Tagged 800GRXL, BGR820XL, Paul Kalemkiarian 3 Comments
Baby Octopus with Chili and Garlic
Choosing the right wine would be easy if you were pairing it with octopus in its basic form like sushi or a sashimi. But when your recipe includes flavors of chili and lime, it’s a little more difficult to pick that perfect bottle of vino. Chose something to compliment the spiciness of the chili.
Tagged 800GRXL, Cooking, indoor grill Leave a comment
Not Quite Grandpa Tony's Stuffed Mushrooms
My Grandpa Tony was a larger-than-life character. No one has ever been able to replicate his mushrooms. But these are darned good.
Kick Off Your Meal with a Tropical Treat — Mango Salsa
What’s great about a mango salsa is that it runs a gamut of flavors and is totally versatile. It’s great as a cold appetizer or to flavor a poultry or seafood entree.
