recipe project

Makes 21/2 cups.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread 21/2 cups unblanched almonds on a rimmed baking sheet; toast until fragrant, about ten minutes. In a large bowl combine 1/4 cup sugar, 1/12 tsp coarse salt, and 1 tsp cayenne pepper.

2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook 1 tablespoon each honey and water with 1 tsp olive oil, stirring until combined, one minute. Add almonds and toss to coat.
.
3. Transfer nuts to sugar mixture (do not scrape extra glaze into bowl) toss to coat and cool in a single layer.

Posted by Nita at 2:27 PM | Permalink
Posted to: Appetizer

Use dough of your choice.

Spoon in dollops on top:
Chopped fresh tomatoes mixed with ~6 Tbsp canned tomato puree

Spread over the entire surface:
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/3 cup grated fontina cheese
2 Tbsp grated pecorino cheese

Top with:
1 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp ground black pepper

Sprinkle on top:
1 Tbsp olive oil

Pizza is done when the top is bubbling and the cheese is melted. Garnish with:
5 fresh basil leaves, torn by hand.
Serve immediately.

Posted by Becky at 8:32 PM | Permalink
Posted to: Appetizer , Becky , Main Course

1/2 bunch cilantro leaves, chopped
1 chopped green bell pepper
1 red onion, chopped
3 tomatoes, chopped
1-2 minced, seeded jalapenos
dash of oregano
salt to taste
fresh ground pepper to taste
1/4 cup white vinegar (a little less)
1 tsp. sugar
juice of one lime

Combine last six ingredients and pour over chopped vegetables. Let marinate for several hours and serve with tortilla chips. Nice in the summer.

note: This recipe came from TR Evenson, hostess extraordinaire! It didn't sit well, however, with the Bartles and Jaymes bottled margaritas that I brought...don't want to talk about it.

Posted by Nita at 7:40 PM | Permalink
Posted to: Anita , Appetizer , Condiment

(for the salad)
6 cups spinach
2 cups halved strawberries
2 tbsp toasted slivered almonds

1. Combine & shake vigorously:
   1/4 cup sugar
   2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
   1 1/2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
   1 1/2 tsp olive oil
   3/4 tsp poppy seeds
   1/4 tsp sweet paprika
   1/8 tsp salt
   
2. combine spinach and strawberries
   
3. pour dressing over salad and toss to coat (don't do too far in advance or spinach gets soggy)
   
4. top with almonds

(for the bruschetta)
3 oz goat cheese
6 1-oz slices bread

Toast french bread and spread goat cheese over slices.

Serves 6

Posted by Becky at 1:36 PM | Permalink
Posted to: Appetizer , Becky , Salad

2 ripe avocados, peeled & pitted
3 Tbsp peeled and diced tomatoes
1 small jalapeno, seeded and minced
2 Tbsp finely chopped onions
1 tsp minced garlic
juice of one lemon
juice of one lime
2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro
hot sauce to taste
salt & pepper

Becky's notes:
I made this when we lived in Korea. It was a long drive to Lotte Mart to get the avocados (and they weren't cheap!), but it was always worth it. The best tortilla chips were the ones we made ourselves (cut up corn tortillas, fry in oil until crisp, lightly salt).

Posted by Becky at 9:49 AM | Permalink
Posted to: Appetizer , Condiment