Browsing Tag

appetizers

Appetizers/Starters, Desserts, Dinner, Lunch, Savory Snacks, Sweet Snacks

Sweet/Savory Apricot Chili Rosemary Walnut Crumble Bars

I am the queen of crazy flavor combinations, right? But even this one seemed a little crazy to me. Last weekend, I found some Divina’s Apricot Chili Rosemary Spread. Not exactly a sweet jam. In fact, it has a bit of a kick mixed in with the apricots. But I decided to make some of my ever-famous crumble bars, this time: Sweet/Savory Apricot Chili Rosemary Walnut Crumble Bars. It was an experiment. I totally didn’t think that it would work, but you know what? It works. I am not advocating eating this as dessert, but added to a charcuterie board with cheese, salami and olive and grapes, these crumble bars are a perfect addition. I was shocked. Totally surprised. Totally good.

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18. July 2026
Appetizers/Starters, Dinner, Lunch, Soups

Maine Lobster Stew

There are times when I make something and I even stun myself at how good it is. This is pretty rare, I must admit, because I have insanely high standards and even when things are pretty spectacular, I will most often find fault with my own food. But this, this Maine Lobster Stew, this was perhaps one of the best things that I have ever made. It was spectacular. Now as a Mainer, generally I would say that seafood stews do not have potatoes — chowders yes, stews no and bisque definitely not. But I found these itty bitty (like 1/2 inch to 1 inch) mini red potatoes called Pee Wee Potatoes and they were just perfect for this, so I went with it and yep, they were great.

If you don’t want to make your own lobster stock, you can use the Better Than Bouillon Lobster Base for the stock, even though you add an additional tablespoon in the stew. Also, the mashed potato powder give it a lush consistency so I would highly recommend (just the plain flavor).

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7. January 2026
Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks

Prosperity Pig Parmesan Crackers

I may have mentioned this before, but pigs are a symbol of good luck in Germany … Glücksschweine. The origins are from medieval times, where if you had a boar or pig, you would survive through the winter. Often right around New Year’s little big symbols (fondant, marzipan, chocolate) are given as resents to wish good luck for the coming year. These Prosperity Pig Parmesan Crackers are right along those lines as well. You obviously could also make them just as regular square or round crackers, but this is much more fun.

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1. January 2026
Appetizers/Starters, Savory Snacks, Sides

Smoked Gouda Mac + Cheese Poppers

One more for the cheesy bit! The other day, I made these Smoked Gouda Mac + Cheese Poppers and I wasn’t sure that I was going to post about them, because they didn’t come out perfect (almost every one “leaked” some cheese whilst frying) but then I thought that that was stupid because not everything has to be perfect. And they were actually delicious, and the “leaky cheese” made them rustic anyway. I made them with smoked Gouda as a change of pace, but you could certainly make them with a sharp Gruyere or Cheddar as well. Dipping sauces are endless: this was a hot chili crisp, but a curry ketchup or spicy marinara or even an olive tapenade would be nice.

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3. March 2025