appetizer

Apple Butter Brie

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In one week I will be attending the fourth Big Summer Potluck!!! This is actually going to be my first experience attending and I can’t wait to go.
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Prior to BSP4, Musselman’s is holding a recipe contest using their Apple Butter. Not only do I love apple butter, but I was up for the challenge!
Apple Butter Topped Brie
Ingredients:
  • 1/2 cup of Musselman’s Apple Butter
  • 1 wheel of brie
  • 2 Tablespoons chopped pecans
  1. Preheat oven to 350. Place wheel of brie on an oven safe dish. Top with apple butter and pecans and bake for 20 minutes.
  2. Brie should be very soft and apple butter will be caramelized.
  3. Serve with crackers and enjoy!

 

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While this recipe is very easy, it is simply delicious! The brie becomes so deliciously gooey, paired with the sweet apple butter that melts into the brie, topped with the crunchy pecans!
Whether you make this simple appetizer for the next gathering you have or whip it up for some unexpected guests, everyone is sure to love Musselman’s Apple Butter Brie!

Artichoke, something green. Happy Birthday, SWEET SIXTEEN!

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Happy Sweet 16 to my cousin Margaux – a fun, beautiful and brilliant girl.  It is hard to believe that I can actually remember her being born and celebrating her first birthday when today it doesn’t feel like we are that many years  apart.
Our love of clothing, makeup, photography and of course, cooking, is what brings us together.  Whenever we get together we swap favorite makeup brands, latest finds and what’s cookin’ .
There is one recipe in particular that Margaux has been begging me to cook, post and share with her:
Artichoke Dip
Preheat oven to 350
You will need:
•14 oz. artichokes in water
•1/2 cup light mayo
•1/2 cup sour cream
•1/8 tsp. Tabasco Sauce
•1/3  cup grated parmesan cheese
1.) Begin by draining artichokes and finely chopping. 
2.) Next, add the remaining ingredients and stir thoroughly.
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3.) Bake for 20-25 minutes until bubbly around the edges and the dip begins to brown on top.

As you can see this recipe is simple but the results are so delicious.   The sweet, tender artichoke hearts melt perfectly into the creamy dip that pairs well with crackers or  bread.  It is a recipe that you can whip up if company is coming unexpectedly or if it is just simply your 16th Birthday.
Happy Birthday Margaux, here’s to many, many more.

Hey Tyson Grilled & Ready

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Dear Tyson® Grilled & Ready®,
Ever since I was asked by the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program if I wanted to try your products, I became a little curious. Of course I wanted to try! I was really excited when I was sent a coupon to purchase either chicken or steak products and I quickly began dreaming of delicious things I’d create. Pasta, sandwiches, salads…my creativity was working overtime. But then it came to me. Create my favorite part of a meal…an appetizer!
So here is my creation. I hope you like what I’ve done with you. I’m not too worried because everyone raved about how delicious you tasted!

Grilled Chicken Artichoke Pepper Crostini
Yields: 30 appetizer bites
Preheat oven to 350°
You will need:
•1 baguette
•4 TBS EVOO
•¼ cup light mayo
•6 oz. of roasted red peppers
•6 oz. of quartered artichoke hearts
•About 10 strips of chicken
•1 yellow onion
1.) Begin by slicing the baguette in thin slices. I had around 30 pieces. Place them on a baking sheet and drizzle EVOO on bread. Bake for 12 minutes or until crispy.

2.) Meanwhile, combine mayo and roasted red peppers in a food processor. Make sure the peppers are dried well to prevent the spread from becoming too runny. Taste to make sure there is a good balance between the ingredients. Next, add the artichoke hearts. Cover and refrigerate until ready to assemble crostini.

3.) Put chicken in a sauce pan until evenly heated. While the chicken is getting ready, slice the onion into thin rings. Sautee onions with cooking spray and remove once they are golden brown and soft.

4.) To assemble, begin by taking a piece of the bread, adding enough of the pepper spread to evenly coat, top with half of a chicken strip, then the onions.

So, Tyson® Grilled & Ready®, what do you think? I love how easy you are to prepare and that you are 98% fat-free and contain no preservatives. Not to mention that I could have eaten all of the Grilled Chicken Artichoke Pepper Crostini! My only complaint? I wish you had been around when I was in college!