Appetizers & Snacks
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Easy Italian Stuffed Peppers is a delicious & cheesy dish that is sure to become a staple in your family’s dinner rotation. The Easy Cheesy Italian Stuffed Peppers recipe is packed with flavor and is simple to create. So, let’s get started!
Cheesy Italian Stuffed Peppers
Serves 4 – 6
4 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), sliced horizontally and free from seeds
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 Carrots, diced
3 Celery Stalks, diced
1 lb. ground meat of choice, beef, chicken, or turkey
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup rice, cooked
1 cup Ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 Tablespoon Italian seasoning, dried
Salt and pepper to taste
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan and cook until the onion is soft and translucent about 3 – 5 minutes.
- Add celery and carrots and continue to cook until vegetables are soft.
- Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned.
- Add 1 can of diced tomatoes for about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice, Ricotta cheese, ½ cup mozzarella cheese, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste.
Prepare the Peppers
- Cut the bell peppers in half and remove the seeds and membranes. Place in a baking dish.
- Once the filling is ready, spoon the filling into each of the Bell Pepper cavities.
- Sprinkle shredded Mozzarella on top of each Bell Pepper.
- Cover the Stuffed Bell Peppers with oil-sprayed aluminum foil.
- Place the Stuffed Bell Peppers in the oven and bake for 20 – 30 minutes or longer if the filling is cold or from the freezer.
- Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with Fresh Parsley and serve the stuffed peppers.
Game Day Sliders
Game day doesn’t have to mean boring snacks! Spice up your next gathering with two delicious slider recipes everyone will love: meatball sliders and Italian cold-cut sliders. The meatball sliders are the perfect combination of classic Italian flavors. For a unique twist on the classic slider, try Italian cold-cut sliders. These gameday sliders are sure to be a hit with your guests. They are simple to prepare yet packed with flavor. Enjoy!
Italian Meatball Sliders
Ingredient amounts will vary to how many sandwiches you are making and the amount you prefer.
Meatballs
Tomato Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese, shredded
Parmesan Cheese, grated
Fresh Basil, chiffonade
Hawaiian Dinner Rolls, cut in half widthwise
- Spread Tomato sauce over the bottom layer of dinner rolls.
- Place 1 meatball per roll.
- Add more sauce on top of the meatballs.
- Add Mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and sliced basil all over the meatballs.
- Place the top layer of dinner rolls on the meatballs.
- Brush melted butter on top of the rolls.
- Cover with foil and place in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes, depending on the temperature of the meatballs.
Italian Sliders
Ingredient amounts will vary to how many sandwiches you are making and the amount you prefer.
Mortadella
Dried Salami
Soppressata
Roasted Peppers
Pepperoncini
Provolone Cheese Slices
Hawaiian Dinner Rolls, cut in half widthwise
Dressing
¼ cup Mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons Lemon Salad Dressing
- Blend to combine.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Spread Mayo dressing all over the bottom layer of dinner rolls.
- Layer the meats; Mortadella, Salami, and Soppressata
- Layer the Roasted peppers and Pepperoncini.
- Layer the Cheese
- Place the top layer of dinner rolls on top of the meat and cheese.
- Brush on the remaining mayonnaise sauce.
- Cover with foil and place in the oven for 25 – 30 minutes.
Italian Meatballs
These are the most delicious, authentic Italian meatballs. This recipe is easy to follow, and the meatballs come out juicy, flavorful, and tender. Perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion, this dish will impress your guests. All you need is a few simple ingredients and a bit of patience to make these mouth-watering meatballs. Whether you serve them with spaghetti, or as a standalone dish, they are sure to be a hit. So, grab your apron, and let’s get started!
Original Italian Meatballs Easy Recipe
Serves 4 – 6
Meatball Ingredients
¾ Cup Breadcrumbs
1 pound of Beef, Ground
1 pound of Italian Sausage, Ground
1 pound of Turkey, Ground
½ Cup Parmesan Cheese
½ Cup Cubes of Day-Old Bread, softened (see the video if unsure how to do this)
1 Egg
4 Cloves Garlic, Minced
2 tablespoon Parsley
1 Teaspoon Oregano
½ Teaspoon Salt
¼ Teaspoon Pepper
Sauce Ingredients
1 Onion, diced
4 cloves Garlic, minced
2 48 oz cans of Tomato Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste
- In a large bowl, add all of the Meatball Ingredients and mix to evenly incorporate all the ingredients.
- On a baking sheet, begin to roll the meatballs in even amounts of meat and place on the sheet pan until ready to cook. Note: dampen hands in water to avoid the meat from sticking to your hands. Set aside when completed.
- In a large high-sided sauté pan or sauce pot, place a few tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and cook until translucent.
- Add Tomato Sauce and stir to incorporate.
- Once the sauce is hot, begin by placing the meatballs in the pan. Shake the pot a bit if you need the meatballs to reposition themselves. Do not stir as it will break the meatballs. Once all the meatballs are in the pot, cover and have the heat at medium-low heat. After about 15 minutes, the meatballs should be set and they can be gently moved around with a spoon.
- Taste for doneness and any additional salt and pepper in the sauce.
- Enjoy!
Easy Pizza Bites
Get ready for the ultimate snack with these delicious pizza bites! Made with mini pizza crusts, marinara sauce, and your favorite toppings, these bite-sized treats are perfect for parties, game day, or any time you’re craving a little pizza. Follow our easy recipe and have fun customizing with your favorite toppings. These pizza bites are sure to be a hit with family and friends!
Pizza Bites
Serves 4 – 6
Pizza Dough
½ cup of Pizza Sauce
1 ½ cups Mozzarella cheese, grated
½ teaspoon Oregano, dried
½ cup Pepperoni, diced, optional
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
- Roll out the pizza dough on an oiled base about ¼” thick.
- Cut into vertical and horizontal stripes creating 1” cubes. Place in a bowl.
- Add Sauce, Cheese, Oregano, and Pepperoni in the bowl with dough and toss to evenly incorporate.
- In a greased muffin tin, add the pizza dough filling the cups about ¾ of the way full.
- Place in the oven and cook for 20-30 minutes or until they are golden brown and cooked through.
Cauliflower Side Dish Recipes
These are 2 of the Best Cauliflower Recipes that I make for my family. They are Fail-Proof Easy Cauliflower recipes that come out Perfect every time. If you are looking for a stress-free Easy recipe that you can add to your Holiday Dinner Side Dish Menu or want to change up your routine nightly side dishes, then you need to try these!
Baked Cauliflower
Serves 4 – 6
1 head of Cauliflower
1 (12 oz) Bag of Frozen Corn, thawed
4 Eggs
¾ Cup of Milk
1 Cup of Heavy Cream
½ Cup Butter, melted
⅓ Cup Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Pepper
Garnish
Fresh Chives, minced
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Place a pot filled with salted water over medium-high heat to boil.
- Separate the cauliflower florets from the stem.
- Once the water is boiling, add the Cauliflower Florets to the salted water and cook for about 3 minutes.
- Drain the Cauliflower and set aside.
- In a blender add the remaining ingredients. Blend until all the corn is pureed.
- In a greased 9 x 13 pan, add the drained cauliflower and blended corn puree. Make sure all the cauliflower is covered.
- Garnish with fresh chives and cracked pepper.
- Place in the oven to cook for 35 – 40 minutes or until golden brown on top.
- Cool before serving and enjoy!
Cauliflower Antipasto
Serves 4 – 6
1 head of Cauliflower
1 Red Pepper, Roasted and diced
½ cup Kalamata Olives
¼ cup Fresh Parsley, chopped
1 Lemon, Zest
Salt and Pepper to taste
- Place a pot filled with salted water over medium-high heat to boil.
- Separate the cauliflower florets from the stem.
- Once the water is boiling, add the florets to the salted water and cook for about 5 – 7 minutes or until the cauliflower is to your liking.
- Drain the Cauliflower and place it in an ice-cold water bath to stop from cooking. When the Cauliflower is cooled, drain again to remove all water.
- Once the Cauliflower is cool and drained, add it to a large bowl. Add the Red Peppers, Olives, Parsley, Lemon Zest Dressing, and Salt and Pepper. Mix to evenly coat the Cauliflower with all the ingredients.
- If serving this as a salad, it can be placed in the refrigerator to chill or kept at room temperature for a side dish.
- Enjoy!
Dressing
½ cup Olive Oil
1 Lemon, juiced (about 3 Tablespoons)
1 Tablespoons Mustard
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Pepper
- Place all in a bowl and whisk until emulsified.
Cheesy Artichoke and Chicken Tart
Serves 4 – 6
1 sheet Puff pastry, thawed
1 Egg, beaten (use some for puff pastry and use the rest for filling)
½ cup Ricotta cheese
4 oz Mozzarella, shredded
¼ cup Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Fresh Herbs of choice, Parsley, Thyme, Oregano, Chives, chopped, plus garnish
1 teaspoon Salt
½ teaspoon Pepper
½ cup – 1 Cup Chicken, shredded or cubed
1 – 14 oz can Artichoke hearts, canned, quartered
1 Tablespoon Capers, drained
Parmesan, finely grated (optional)
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
- Place a sheet of puff pastry on a piece parchment paper, each about the same size. With a rolling pin, lightly press the puff pastry to even the dough out. Using a paring knife, gently score a 2-inch border around edges of the puff pastry. Brush the outside border of the puff pastry with the egg wash. Transfer the puff pastry to the baking sheet pan.
- In a bowl, add the remaining Egg, Ricotta Cheese, Mozzarella Cheese, Sour Cream, Chopped Herbs, Lemon Zest, Salt And Pepper and thoroughly mix to incorporate.
- Place all the cheese filling in the center of the puff pastry. Using an off-set spatula, evenly spread the cheese filling inside the border. Ensure that the outside border has only the egg wash on it.
- On top of the cheese filling, add the artichokes, chicken and capers.
- Place in the oven and cook for until the bottom and top of pastry is golden brown, about 30 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes.
- To finish off the Cheesy Tart, garnish with Parmesan Cheese, Fresh Parsley, Drizzle of Olive Oil, and Finishing Salt.
- Transfer to a cutting board, cut into pieces, and serve.
Easy Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a classic stew made from the summer harvest of vegetables. This is a perfect meal as everything is made in one pot. Easy Ratatouille is a colorful combination of tomatoes, eggplant, garlic, onion, zucchini, bell pepper, and fresh herbs. A perfect way to display your garden harvest. Ratatouille can be served in so many ways. It can be the main meal, served as a side dish with grilled steak, oven-roasted chicken, used as a filler for crepes, omelets, or just a fantastic-tasting vegetarian dish with a side of fresh bread. The possibilities are endless.
Easy Ratatouille
Serves 4 – 6
Olive Oil, as needed
4 Small Zucchini. cubed
2 Small Eggplants, cubed
4 Large Ripe Tomatoes, seeded and cubed
1 Onion, diced
2 Bell Peppers, cubed
3 Garlic Cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon Tomato Paste
1/2 Cup Liquid, i.e. Broth, Wine Or Water
Optional
Capers
Kalamata Olives
Fresh Herbs, i.e. Basil, Oregano, Parsley
- In a sauté pan over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add zucchini to the sauté pan with some salt. Cook for about 5 minutes. Once the zucchini is cooked, place it in a large bowl and return the sauté pan back to the stove.
- Repeat this process for the Eggplant and Tomatoes.
- Add a little bit of Olive Oil, Onions, Garlic, and Salt to the sauté pan. Cook for a couple of minutes and then add the Bell Peppers. Continue cooking for about 5 minutes.
- Add Tomato Paste and cook for a minute or so to evenly incorporate throughout the vegetables.
- Add the rest of the cooked vegetables and add to the sauté pan. Gently stir to evenly incorporate and continue to finalize the cooking process for a few more minutes. Taste for Salt and Pepper.
- When ready to serve, add to your plate and garnish.
Zucchini Fritters
EASY Zucchini Fritters are a quick dinner. Common Zucchini questions people ask me is, why are my Zucchini Fritters falling apart? Are Zucchini Fritters healthy? How do you keep Fritters crispy? What can I serve with Zucchini Fritters? Why is my Zucchini dish watery? These EASY Zucchini Fritters are a QUICK HEALTHY DINNER that is unbelievably easy to make, low carb, and a great way to sneak in some veggies! In this video, I will be answering all these questions.
Zucchini Fritters
Serves 4 – 6
1 pound Zucchini, grated
10 oz bag of Riced Veggies, drained
1 Carrot, grated
½ Bell Pepper, diced
½ small Onion, diced
¼ cup Flour
¼ cup grated Parmesan
1 large Egg, beaten
2 cloves Garlic, minced
Salt and Pepper to taste
Olive Oil, for frying
- Place grated zucchini and rice veggies in a colander over the sink. Add salt and gently toss to combine; let sit for 10 minutes. Using a clean dish towel or cheesecloth, drain the zucchini completely.
- In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and season with salt and pepper, to taste.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Scoop tablespoons of batter for each fritter, flattening with a spatula, and cook until the underside is nicely golden brown, about 2 minutes. Flip and cook on the other side, about 1-2 minutes longer.
- Garnish with Sour Cream and serve immediately.
Eggplant Rollatini
If You Have Eggplant Make This EASY Side Dish. EASY Stuffed Eggplant Rollatini is one of my favorite Eggplant dishes to make. I love it as a side dish as well as the main dish. It also makes for the PERFECT appetizer. Eggplant Rollatini is so creamy with the combination of the ricotta and mozzarella cheese and the lemon gives the eggplant a fresh spring taste. You will love how easy and delicious this is!
EASY Stuffed Eggplant Rollatini
Serves 4 – 6
2 Large Eggplants
1 ½ cups marinara tomato sauce
15 oz container of Ricotta Cheese
1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese. Grated, plus additional for topping
¼ Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 Egg
1 Lemon (zest and juice)
1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
½ tsp Salt
Italian Parsley, fresh rough chop for garnish
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
- Slice eggplant into 1/2-inch vertical slices and place on an oiled baking sheet. Once all the sliced eggplants are on the baking sheet, drizzle or brush a little more olive oil on each top piece of eggplant and sprinkle salt. Bake for 20 minutes or until eggplant is pliable. Once cooked, remove the eggplant from the oven and leave it to cool for a few minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, add Ricotta, Mozzarella, parmesan, Egg, Lemon zest and juice, Italian seasoning, and salt. Mix until all evenly incorporated.
- In a baking dish, line the bottom with about one cup of tomato sauce.
- Place an eggplant slice on your workbench and using a spoon, scoop out the cheese mixture and place it on the eggplant slice. Spread it evenly to cover most of the eggplant. Leave about 2-inches on the closing end of the eggplant.
- Roll the eggplant slice toward the closure part that has no filling. The filling will begin to spill on the sides and push toward the end of the eggplant.
- Place the eggplant, seam side down, in your baking dish. Continue doing this until all the eggplants are filled.
- Top each eggplant roll with tomato sauce. If the tomato sauce is not seasoned, sprinkle salt and pepper on top to give the sauce some seasoning.
- Top each roll with additional mozzarella cheese.
- Cover with foil and bake for about 20 min or until the sides are bubbling.
- Option, you can remove the foil and place the dish back in the oven under the broiler until the mozzarella cheese is golden brown.
- Garnish with fresh parsley
- Serve as the main entrée, with a side salad or meat or vegetable of your choice
How To Make EASIEST Mushroom BACON Appetizer
Bacon in anything is always a hit appetizer. I will show you how to make the EASIEST BACON mushroom appetizer for your holiday or party event for your guests.
Mushroom Bacon Appetizer
½ pound Mushrooms, small diced
1 Leek, thinly sliced
2 Garlic Clove, crushed
2 Tablespoons White Wine, Dry
2 slices Bacon, cooked and diced
¼ cup Parmesan Cheese
2 Tablespoons Heavy Cream Baguettes slices, toasted Mascarpone Cheese
Garnish
Toasted Pecans, finely chopped
Fresh Thyme
Freshly Ground Pepper
1. In a saute pan, add few tablespoons of olive oil, mushrooms, and ½ teaspoon salt. Cook for a few minutes.
2. Add leeks and garlic. Continue to saute until leeks are soft.
3. Add wine cook for another couple of minutes to reduce some of the liquid.
4. Add Cooked Bacon, Thyme and season for Salt and Pepper.
5. Remove from heat and add Parmesan Cheese, Heavy Cream.
To Serve:
6. Add a layer of Mascarpone cheese to the Bruschetta.
7. Add a Tablespoon of Mushroom Bacon filling.
EASIEST Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry
Learn how to make the EASIEST Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry. These Ham and Cheese Puff Pastry Croissants are fast and easy to make. Great for a grab and go snack, light lunch or dinner that pairs perfectly with a salad. These Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry can be made ahead or frozen for a quick bake whenever the craving strikes. You can customize these with whatever meat and cheese you have on hand and fill them with whatever the desired amount of ingredients you would like.
EASIEST Ham and Cheese in Puff Pastry
Makes 4 pieces
1 Package of Puff Pastry, thawed
1 Egg Yolk
Ham Slices, quality as desired
Mozzarella Slices, quality as desired
Fresh Thyme, quality as desired
Black Pepper, quality as desired
Preheat oven 400 degrees
1. In a small bowl, add an egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water and mix until well incorporated. Set aside.
2. Roll out each sheet of pastry sheets to about 1/8” and cut in half vertically and horizontally to make 4 square pieces out of each sheet of puff pastry.
3. Brush the edge of each piece with egg wash.
4. On each square, stack Ham, Mozzarella, Thyme leaves, and Black Pepper.
5. Place a sheet of puff pastry that does not have egg wash on top of the stacked Ham and Cheese.
6. Seal along the edge of the pastry using a fork to crimp the edges.
7. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Repeat until all four puff pastries are complete.
8. Brush egg wash all over the sealed puff pastries and sprinkle black pepper on top of each.
9. Place in oven and cook for 20 – 25 minutes or until puff pastry is golden brown.
How to Make Best Tuscan Flatbread
Tuscan Grape Focaccia is a rustic snack traditionally made during wine harvest, with grapes that would be discarded. This is what the farmers would feast on to celebrate the end of the season. This traditional dish is called Schiacciata con l’uva which translates to Crushed with Grapes
Serves 8-10
1 Egg White
1/4 Cup Sugar
1/4 Cup Olive Oil
1 1/2 Cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
1/2- 3/4 Cup of White Wine or Water, Enough to Make A Smooth and Workable
1 Pound Grapes*, Halved
1/2 Cup Walnut, Chopped
Zest of 1 Orange
Sugar
Egg Wash (1 Egg Yolk and 1 Teaspoon Water)
Preheat oven to 400 F
1. Mix the egg, sugar, flour, olive oil, baking powder, and enough wine or water to obtain a relatively soft dough. Knead until it is smooth and roll (about ¼ inch thick) out to make a sheet large enough to line a cookie sheet pan.
2. Grease a cookie sheet pan and line the bottom of it with half the dough.
3. Fill the container with about 3/4 of the drained grapes; gently squeeze some between your hands as you add them. Sprinkle sugar, walnuts, and zest over grapes.
4. Roll out the remaining dough to cover the grapes. Try to get the dough to be about the same shape. Place rolled out dough on top of grapes and sealing the edges.
5. Brush egg wash on top of “Schiacciata.”
6. Spread the rest of the grapes on top of the “Schiacciata.” Lightly press them into the dough.
7. Top with a sprinkling of sugar.
8. Bake for about an hour, or until the crust is browned.
9. When it is done, it will be approximately 1 ½” thick; the dough is primarily a container for the grape filling. *You can vary the recipe. Some cooks use considerably more sugar, and others put chopped walnuts within the Schiacciata and sprinkle them over it. Still, others sprinkle anise seeds or rosemary leaves over the Schiacciata. In contrast, walnuts and rosemary are sometimes used together, anise seeds are used alone.
How To Make EASY Quick Healthy Italian Appetizers
Tired of serving the same types of appetizers? Let me teach you how you can make this really EASY and FLAVORFUL appetizer that will have your guests asking for MORE!
Italian Sausage and Bean Bruschetta
1 lb Ground Italian Sausage, or any ground meat or vegan meat of choice (if using ground meat with no seasoning, add ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp Italian Seasoning, ¼ tsp pepper)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 cloves Garlic, minced
½ Purple Onion, finely diced
4 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
1 – 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes
¼ cup Liquid (Red Wine, Broth, or Water)
1 (14 oz) can White Beans, rinsed and drained Salt and Pepper, to taste Thinly sliced toasted baguette (see video how to infuse garlic flavor to baguette slices) Garnish Fresh parsley, finely chopped Shaved Parmesan Cheese
1. In a sauté pan, add ground meat, garlic, and any additional seasonings if necessary. Continue to sauté until meat is cooked.
2. Add Onion and Balsamic Vinegar. Start with 2 Tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar, cook down, and add more if preferred in 2 Tablespoon increments.
3. Add diced tomatoes and break tomato chunks into smaller pieces. Cook for about 10-15 minutes.
4. Add about ¼ cup of liquid of choice.
5. Take the drained White Beans and smash half of the beans with a fork and add all the beans to the sauté pan.
6. Add a few tablespoons of chopped parsley as well as more balsamic vinegar if more flavor of depth is preferred.
7. Now the Sausage and Beans are ready, it can be spooned onto each baguette slice topped with fresh parsley and shaved parmesan cheese.
Note: this can be made ahead of time and reheated. Any leftovers would go great addition to eggs, pasta, or soup.
Easy Zucchini Quiche Recipe
EASY Zucchini Quiche recipe is perfect for breakfast or brunch, plus perfect for lunch leftover. This Zucchini Quiche is creamy and healthy with lots of zucchini. This can also be made with or without a pie crust.
Pie Crust pre-made or video link
Filling
2 Zucchini, sliced
1 Tomato, sliced
5 slices Mozzarella Cheese
1 cup Heavy Cream
4 Eggs
¼ cup Parmesan
¼ teaspoon Italian Herbs
½ teaspoon Salt
¼ teaspoon Pepper
Preheat oven 350 degrees
1. In a bowl, add heavy cream, eggs, parmesan cheese, salt and pepper and mix until thoroughly combined. Set aside.
2. In a pie dish, place the pie crust and form the dough to fit inside the pie dish.
3. Place a single layer of sliced mozzarella cheese to cover the bottom of the pie.
4. Place a single layer of sliced tomatoes. Sprinkle salt evenly over salts and Italian herbs.
5. Layer the sliced zucchini in an overlapping, side by side circular pattern creating an outer layer and then and inner layer.
6. Pour the egg-cream mixture over all the zucchini.
7. Add additional grated parmesan cheese all over the top.
8. Place in the oven for 50 – 60 minutes or until the center is set and no longer giggly.
9. Let cool for 10 – 15 minutes before cutting.
EASY Pea and Mascarpone Appetizer Recipe
If you are looking for a QUICK, EASY and SUPER delicious appetizer, this is it. The Pea and Mascarpone Appetizer is the PERFECT start to your holiday event. The peas give a FRESH taste, the mascarpone adds richness and the toasted baguette slice gives the PERFECT crunch of satisfaction. This is an appetizer that everyone is surprised by how much they enjoy.
Pea and Mascarpone Appetizer
2 cups of Petite Peas, Frozen, plus 1/4 cup for garnish
4 oz Mascarpone
1 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon each of Chives, Mint, and Thyme
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Baguette Bread, sliced
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
1. On a cookie sheet, place 1/4″ sliced baguette and bake in the oven until bread slices are toasted. Set aside until ready to use.
2. In a food processor, add all ingredients and puree until blended.
3. When ready to serve, spoon a small amount of pea mixture on top of each slice of toasted baguette.
4. To garnish, add a thinly sliced parmesan cheese, topped with a couple of peas or fresh herbs.
EASY Stuffed Mushrooms Bacon Mascarpone | BEST Party Appetizer
Super EASY and delicious BACON, Mascarpone Stuffed Mushrooms are always the first to be devoured. It is a show-stopping party pleasing appetizer! They are best eaten when they are served warm. This is an EASY recipe to make ahead and pop in the oven 20 minutes before you want to serve them.
Easy Stuffed Mushrooms with Bacon & Mascarpone
Yields: 16
2 Slices of Bacon, chopped
½ small onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
Salt and pepper to taste
4 oz Mascarpone Cheese
1 Tablespoon Parmesan Cheese, grated
1 Tablespoon Parsley, chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
1. In a medium sauté pan, add bacon and cook for a few minutes.
2. Add onions and garlic to bacon and continue to cook until onions are translucent. Add extra olive oil if bacon did not render enough fat to sauté in.
3. Remove the stems from the mushrooms. Place the whole mushrooms, cavity side up, onto a lined baking sheet. Take out the stems of the mushrooms and finely chop, then place the chopped stems in the sauté pan with bacon and continue to cook. Once cooked remove from heat and place in a large bowl to cool.
4. In the meantime, prepare mascarpone filling. In a bowl, add soft mascarpone, parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper and mix to combine. Add about a teaspoon of filling into each mushroom cavity.
5. In the large bowl of cooled bacon mixture, add cheese, breadcrumbs, olive oil, and salt and pepper and stir to evenly incorporate.
6. To complete stuffing the mushrooms, take a spoonful of breadcrumb mixture and pile on top of mushroom to create a dome shape of filling. Continue until all the mushrooms are filled.
7. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil, sprinkle more parmesan cheese, parsley and serve.
2 ingredient Ricotta Cheese | GreenOlive Cooking
I think that ricotta cheese is one of my favorite cheeses because of its versatility in meals whether savory or sweet. As a child, I would love to spread it on toasted bread and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. It didn’t matter if it was breakfast, lunch or dinner; it was my go to food. I also love having a dollop of ricotta on my red sauce spaghetti, so creamy – Yum! In this video, I share with you how easy it is to make homemade ricotta cheese with only 2 ingredients. Once you start making your own and see how simple it is, you will never want to buy store bought again. This ricotta is so creamy and delicious!
HOMEMADE RICOTTA CHEESE
Yields about 7 oz
1 Quart Whole Milk
1 Lemon, Juiced
1. Place milk in a pot. Heat the milk until it is almost too hot to touch – just before simmer stage. Do not have milk boil.
2. Add the juice of 1 lemon and quick stir the milk. The lemon juice will begin to curdling process. This process should take about 2 – 3 minutes.
3. Once the milk starts to curdle, place a lid on the pot, turn off the flame and let rest for 30 minutes.
4. While waiting for the milk to curdle, prepare a strainer to place the ricotta cheese in. It can either be a fine net strainer or a colander lined with cheesecloth.
5. At the end of the 30 minutes, the whey and curds should be separated. With a slotted spoon or a strainer begin to scoop out the cheese and place in in the strainer previously prepared.
6. Let the ricotta drain for about ½ hour then place into a container and refrigerate.
Mangia (eat) and Enjoy!
MOM’S STUFFED ZUCCHINI
This is an easy baked stuffed Zucchini recipe that is healthy, tasty and perfect if you are looking for a vegetarian idea. In this video, my mother and I are making the best stuffed scrumptious zucchini dish along with my 94 year old grandmother Grace. With the abundance of zucchini growing in the garden, I wanted to make a tasty and healthy alternative to the tons of Zucchini bread I have been seeing a lot of lately. This is such a versatile recipe that you can add pretty much any additional sautéed vegetables or cooked meats to the zucchini. This is great served with a salad or a side of grilled meat.
MOM’S STUFFED ZUCCHINI
Serves 4
2 Zucchini, ends trimmed off
1 small zucchini, grated with skin
½ onion, diced and sautéed
1 egg
¾ cup Ricotta Cheese
2 tablespoons Parmesan Cheese, plus additional for garnish
Mozzarella, fresh Bocconcini balls or if unavailable, cubed mozzarella
Salt to taste
Preheat oven 375 degrees
1. In a stock pot, add enough water to cover zucchini, place over high heat until water comes to a boil. Once water is boiling, add zucchini to stock pot, lower to medium-low heat and parboil zucchini for about 5 minutes.
2. Once Zucchini has come out of the hot water and cooled, cut zucchini in half-length wise. Gently scoop out the center, without damaging the zucchini “boat” we are trying to make. Chop zucchini centers until in a very small dice.
3. In a large bowl, add grated small zucchini, about half of the diced zucchini, egg, ricotta and parmesan cheese and mix well.
4. In a baking dish, place scooped out zucchini boats. Drizzle olive oil and salt in each zucchini boat.
5. Place 4 – 6 Bocconcini balls in each zucchini boat. The amount can vary depending on zucchini size or amount of cheesiness desired.
6. Evenly divide filling amongst the zucchini.
7. Final drizzle of olive oil and sprinkling of parmesan cheese on top.
8. Bake for 40 minutes.
9. Cool before serving. Mangia (eat) and Enjoy!
How to Make Biscotti
Yields: Approx. varies on personal cut size
Ingredients:
3 cups All Purpose Flour, might need more if too sticky
3 Eggs
6 tablespoons Milk
6 tablespoons Vegetable Oil
6 tablespoons Sugar
3 tablespoons Baking Powder
1 Lemon, zest (you can also add the juice for more flavor or if dough is too dry)
Preheat oven 350 degrees.
1. In a bowl, blend together flour, sugar and baking powder. Set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl, add eggs, milk, oil, and zest. Beat until combined.
3. Once liquids are combined, add dry ingredients.
4. Add flour to a flat surface and roll dough out to knead.
5. Dough may be a little sticky and that is okay. Don’t add too much flour at this point or the cookies will be tough, not light and fluffy.
6. Roll dough out into a rectangle about ¼” thick. (use a ¼ in rolling pin spacer) Cut dough into rectangles about 3” x ¾”. Place on a lined cookie sheet.
7. Sprinkle sugar on each cookie.
8. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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