Tag: appetizer
Spiced Grapes
Spiced Grapes
Spiced grapes might not sound too exciting, until you give it a try. While there are only 5 ingredients to this recipe, it has a complexity of flavors. Sweetness from the grapes, sourness from the lemon, earthiness of cilantro, a hint of spice from the chili powder, and salt to bring out all of the flavors. What you’ve really created is a bowl of candy, because that’s how you’re going to think of this after consuming. Spiced grapes pair well with any Bengali curry, acting as a palate cleanser.
Ingredients
- 2 cups green grapes sliced in half
- 1/2 lemon juiced
- 3 tbsp cilantro chopped
- pinch Kashmiri chili powder
- pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Toss the grapes with the cilantro. Squeeze the lemon juice over.
- Add a pinch of chili powder and sea salt to the grapes.
Ham and Cheese Bread Rolls
Ham and Cheese Bread Rolls
While marijuana is highly illegal in the Philippines(punishable for up to life in prison, just for using), it is still very widely consumed. It’s apparently grown in mountainous regions. I bring this up because there is no way a stoner didn’t create this recipe. These ham and cheese bread rolls are one of genius that only the influence of THC could conceive. First you flatten slices of white bread with a rolling pin. This keeps the bread from tearing when you roll it. Spread your favorite jam on each slice of bread. I had leftover pineapple glaze for ham. Why not. Lay a couple slices of ham on the bread. Put a chunk of cheese on the bottom edge of the bread. I used pepper jack. Kind of a sweet/salty/spicy concoction going on. Roll up the bread. Then give each roll and egg wash. Then roll the rolls in breadcrumbs. That’s how I roll. To cook these artery cloggers, heat up 1/4” deep of oil in a sauté pan. Fry the rolls on all sides for 8-10 minutes in total. Place the rolls on a wire rack to drain the grease. If you place them on paper towels, the bottoms will get soggy. Nobody wants soggy rolls.The bread rolls are a great appetizer and snack for large groups of people, or just for yourself if you want to be fat. These bread rolls aren’t just limited to ham and cheese. A few ideas that can be rolled into the bread include sausage and peppers; pepperoni, mozzarella, and tomato sauce; Canadian bacon and pineapple; bacon, eggs, and cheese; hotdogs and cheese. The possibilities are endless.
Equipment
- rolling pin
- wire rack
Ingredients
- 4 slices white bread
- 4 tbsp fruit flavored jam strawberry, raspberry, pineapple
- 8 oz ham thinly sliced
- 6 oz brick cheese cheddar, pepper jack, mozzarella; cut into 4 equal chunks
- 1 large egg beaten
- 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- With a rolling pin, flatten the slices of bread.
- Spread a tbsp of jam on each slice of bread.
- Place a couple slices of ham on each slice of bread.
- Place a chunk of the cheese on top of the ham on the very bottom of each bread slice.
- Carefully roll up the bread.
- Dip each bread roll in the egg on all sides.
- Roll the bread rolls in the bread crumbs.
- Fill up a large sauté pan with a 1/4” of vegetable oil over medium high heat.
- Place the bread rolls in the hot oil.
- Fry on all sides for 8-10 minutes in total until all sides are brown and crispy.
- Place the bread rolls on a wire rack to drain any grease.
Langostino Ceviche
Langostino Ceviche
Langostinos are a crustacean that’s related to the hermit crab, but are more like a cross between a shrimp and a lobster. Sweet in flavor, langostinos make a great ceviche. The problem is finding good quality langostino. Unless you live on an ocean coastline in South America, you are going to have a hard time trying to find fresh whole langostinos. You can find big bags of tail meat at Costco in the frozen section that is good quality. If you have uncooked tail meat, you can simply drop the langostino in boiling water for no more than 30 seconds, then shock in an ice bath to stop the cooking. They cook that quick. If you have cooked tail meat, skip this process. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and let marinate for 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Serve the ceviche with plantain or tortilla chips.
Servings: 2
Equipment
- mandolin slicer
Ingredients
- 8 oz langostino meat
- 1/4 medium red onion sliced 1/8” thick on a mandolin
- 5 limes juiced
- 3 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 serrano pepper thinly sliced
- 3 tbsp cilantro chopped
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Placd the sliced red onions in a bowl of salted warm water for 10 minutes.
- Bring a small pot of water to a boil. Boil the langostino meat for 30 seconds.
- Scoop out the langostinos and place in ice water to stop the cooking process.
- Drain the red onions and the langostino meat. Placd in a bowl with the lime juice, garlic, serrano, cilantro, and salt. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Place the ceviche in a serving bowl. Mix in the olive oil.
