GetCookingSimply » Appetizers

Asparagus with Warm Angostura Mayonnaise

Rita's Kitchen — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 20:02:55 +0000

The vegetables for this tasty side dish may be cooked in an iron frying pan or on a stovetop griddle, or on the barbecue or roasted in the oven – whichever is most familiar and easiest for you. read more

More Tapas for Holiday Appetizers

Rita's Kitchen — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:46:38 +0000

Patatas Bravas (Roasted Potatoes with Spicy Tomato Sauce), is probably the most common tapas dish in Spain. Its status has been elevated in recent years by upscale chefs who create their own unique, signature variations. Sometimes the sauce is mixed with the potatoes; sometimes it is served on the side as a dipping sauce. And a creamy white sauce for patatas bravas is not uncommon.
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Holiday Appetizers, Spanish Style

Rita's Kitchen — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 01:23:42 +0000

Spain’s famous finger foods, are delicious and incredibly versatile for winter holidays or any time of year. Tapas are great for parties, as everyday teasers before dinner, or even for midday snacks. Ingredients can be mixed and matched, or served alone, such as thin slices of Serrano ham, whole almonds, small wedges of cheese, or an assortment of olives. The flavor combinations are sensational and the possibilities endless.
Here are three super-easy tapas that use seasoned rice vinegar for a tangy flavor boost. Look for more of my tapas next week — Patatas Bravas and Gambas al Ajillo!
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Marinated Chorizo & Olive Skewers
Allow one hour for sausage to marinate in the rice vinegar.
Start with fully-cooked links of Spanish chorizo.* If chorizo is not available, use Portuguese linguica. Cut sausage into 1/3-inch thick slices, and fry over medium-high heat until browned on both sides. Cool 5 minutes then remove from pan and place on paper towels; pat tops with paper towels to remove a bit of the fat. Place sausage in a shallow bowl and generously sprinkle with seasoned rice vinegar. Cover and let stand 1 hour. Drain sausage and thread onto to toothpicks along with an olive or two.
*One 3-1/2 oz link will make 10 to 12 slices or tapas, or 20 tapas if slices are cut in half. read more

Whoa! Wasabi Dipping Sauce

Rita's Kitchen — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 01:18:44 +0000

Shorter daylight hours usually means more TV watching, especially weekend sports. And that often calls for munchies. Here are two versatile, Asian-leaning dips that fill the bill. The first is a simple mayonnaise dip laced with ginger and fiery wasabi (photo). The second is a soy sauce and rice vinegar-based dip for pot stickers and egg rolls. (Being practical, I usually buy these pre-made at my local Asian grocery store. There are also plenty of frozen choices in supermarkets that simply need to be pan-fried or heated in the oven.) read more

Melon Cucumber Salsa with Jerk Shrimp

Rosie's Kitchen — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 01:11:08 +0000

The Perfect Artichoke

Rita's Kitchen — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 18:44:10 +0000

This artichoke is so beautiful I just had to show you. Rarely are they so “picture perfect.” Depending on the weather, April is the last month for local artichokes from Castroville. This coastal area, between San Francisco and Monterey, grows some of the best artichokes in the world. Take a tour of an artichoke farm at www.artichokes.org.
My very simple dip for steamed artichokes won over my skeptical Italian mother-in-law some years ago. She frowned at the thought of anything but stuffed, baked chokes. That is, until she tasted my concoction. From then on, wintertime Sunday dinners were not complete without artichokes for starters. read more

Darn Delicious Dips!

Rosie's Kitchen — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 16:22:37 +0000

For this coming weekend, we tapped our friend Peggy Fallon, author of Great Party Dips, for a couple of super easy dips. Peggy is the author of eight cookbooks including Great Party Fondues, another terrific cookbook for easy entertaining. Hope these tasty recipes come in handy for game day or any party day! read more

Grilled Portobello Mushrooms with Fontina Melt

Rita's Kitchen — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 05:09:22 +0000

Skewered Sesame Ginger Shrimp and Blackberries

Rosie's Kitchen — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 04:42:40 +0000

Home-made marinades and sauces add pizzaz to plain foods with just a few ingredients that you probably have on hand. Basic oils, acids, herbs, spices and aromatics (see our Pantry Essentials list) create flavors from Italian to Thai without cluttering your refrigerator with bottles and jars.
Like Rita’s Grilled Rosemary Chicken marinade, this recipe for a sesame-ginger-soy glaze is a simple blend of ingredients. Buy toasted sesame oil in the Asian foods section of the supermarket, then store it in the refrigerator as it may last you a while. Use in small amounts to inspire Asian flavors on green beans or bok choy, in stir-frys, salad dressings, sauces and marinades.
Skewered Sesame Ginger Shrimp and Blackberries makes a light meal or an impressive appetizer. Fresh peaches can be substituted for the mango but the blackberries are a unique twist on a kabob, so give it a try! Serve with a refreshing Strawberry Watermelon Aqua Fresca. read more

Versatile strawberry salsa

Rita's Kitchen — Tue, 04 May 2010 21:08:26 +0000

: Delicious with grilled seafood, pork and poultry too.

Strawberries are in full bloom in California! Mostly grown in the Watsonville area (between San Francisco and Carmel, near Salinas but inland from the coast a few miles), strawberries enjoy a long season here. Because they are so plentiful, I eat strawberries often and am always looking for new ways to use them, like this versatile salsa. Yes, salsa with red onion and cilantro! It’s an easy, yummy appetizer with tortilla chips or a tasty accompaniment for seafood, chicken and pork. Try experimenting with different fruit combinations such as pineapple, or peaches and nectarines when in season. All taste great with strawberries. A sprinkle of sugar (or honey) may be needed with fruit that is not ripe and sweet. Take a look at the abundant strawberries at my local farmers market (below). And this is just one Watsonville farmer! There are other strawberry growers at the same market.

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