Appetizers

Easy Garlic Biscuits

IMG_5972One day I will write a blog about all of my crazy ideas and half-homemade recipes that I made with pop can biscuits. You know the ones, they last in the fridge for awhile. I tend to stock up and use them in creative ways. I wanted to make an easy twist on garlic bread with these biscuits.

  • 1 pop-can of ready to bake biscuits
  • 3 tbsps of chopped garlic
  • 3 tbsp of finely diced onion
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1/2 cup of chopped chard or kale
  • 2 tsp of parmesan cheese
  • Black pepper
  1. Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees
  2. In a small skillet, cook garlic, onion, chard in a little olive oil. Cook for about 5 minutes until soft.
  3. Place biscuit dough on an ungreased cookie sheet and press down the middle of each biscuit.
  4. Add a 1/2 spoonful of the garlic mixture, sprinkle with black pepper and parmesan cheese
  5. Bake for 12 minutes until golden

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Chicken Pot Pies

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So I had this idea to make pie-less chicken Chicken Pot Pies by using pre-made croissant dough bought at the grocery store.  I hoped it would work out and it made for some great very yummy hand-held snacks.

  • 1 pkg of croissant dough in a tube (6-8)
  • 1 grilled chicken breast, diced small
  • 1/4 cup or less of chopped onion
  • 1/4 stick of butter
  • 1 stick celery diced
  • 1 cup boiled and diced potatoes
  • 1 cup of cooked butternut squash
  • 3 tbsp of milk or water
  • salt/pepper to taste
  1. Add butter to a medium skillet, sauté the onions and celery for a couple minutes.
  2. Add milk and let boil.
  3. Add potatoes, cooked chicken and squash and cook until mixture becomes thick and is done. About 15-20 minutes. Make sure it is not too wet. If it is, add a little flour to thicken it up.
  4. Add salt and pepper to taste

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  1. Folding the Chicken Pot Pies, When you unwrap the croissant, they make long triangles.
  2. Lay them out on a lightly greased cookie sheet and place the mixture close to the longer straight side of the triangle.
  3. Fold smaller side over to cover like a stuffed croissant or turnover.
  4. Heat over to 400 degrees and cook for 15-20 minutes or so. Because they are stuffed, you need to add 5-7 minutes to the package directions and watch them get golden brown.

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Panko Fried Zucchini Rounds

IMG_9066Panko Fried Zucchini Rounds were a hit around here and super easy to make. They are a balance between healthy and tasty fried snack. Consider each portion to be 1/2 to 3/4 of a medium zucchini (5-7 pieces), makes about 4.

  • 2-3 medium to large zucchini, cut into rounds or sticks for fries
  • 3 tbsp of flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 1 tbsp of water
  • 2 cups of panko bread crumbs
  • Olive oil or pam spray for frying
  • Optional: Cracked Salt
  1. Cut zucchini into rounds or sticks for fries. Set up your bowls like shown.
  2. First step, put the flour In a small round container, dip both sides of zucchini in flour lightly.
  3. Second – Add beaten egg and little bit of water to next bowl. Dip each piece of zucchini covered in flour in the egg liquid.
  4. Then put the zucchini in the panko crumbs soaking up all of the moisture. Make sure it’s well covered in crumbs patting them into the zucchini. You can dip them twice, but they tend to be very bready.
  5. Then add to an oiled pan or these can be baked. I use a medium frying pan with a little oil and add them on medium low heat. I don’t like them too oily and sometimes use pam cooking spray, it’s up to you. I use the top to cook them inside and hot with a fry/steam type thing. They take about 7 minutes per side t get golden brown.

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Kale and Cheese Won Ton Bites

IMG_7948With company on the way, I thought of a great idea. I had some kale in my garden and decided to make a fried appetizer. I used the same Won Ton wrappers as I used before.

  • 1 tsp olive oil (for kale)
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic or garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup sautéed kale
  • dash of cracked salt and pepper
  • 2 large tbsp of cream cheese (I use greek yogurt cream cheese or low fat)
  • 10-12 Won Ton Wraps
  • 1 egg white
  1. In a small pan, I heated the olive oil and added the garlic and after a couple minutes, added the kale and sautéed until softened.
  2. Remove from pan and put in a food processor or finely cut by hand.
  3. Heat Cream Cheese in microwave for 15 seconds or put into the hot kale mixture and melt together. Add a dash of cracked salt and pepper and mix throughly.
  4. Brush the won ton with the egg white on the entire inside surface.
  5. Add a very small amount of the kale and cheese mixture and fold in half. Pinch all sides firmly, letting the middle bubble out a little.
  6. Add 2-3 tbsp of oil to the pan and on medium heat, fry the wontons until crispy on both sides. I do one side for 4 minutes and then the other for about the same. Trying not to flip too much, but keep an eye on them.

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Ginger Shrimp Won Tons

I love Won Tons. Both fried and in soup, so when I found these wraps at Safeway, it inspired me to try a couple new recipes. They were located in the vegetarian/tofu area of the produce department and only $2.00. I am using these wrappers to try out with new recipes, so you’ll see me use them often in my next few posts. IMG_7842So for my first experiment with these wraps, I decided to make Ginger Shrimp Won Tons, made about 10-12 Won Tons.

  • 4 Large Tiger Prawns, Uncooked
  • 1 tsp olive oil
  • 1tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp grated ginger or ginger powder
  • 1 tsp diced green onion
  • 1 tsp chopped cilantro
  • 1 egg white

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  1. In  a small pan, I fry all of the ingredients on medium until cooked thoroughly.
  2. Then took the mixture and put it in a small food processor and diced small. You can also do this by hand with a knife if preferred.
  3. I arrange my working station, as shown below. I use an brush to put the egg white on the surface of the wrap.
  4. Then put a small amount of the cooked mixture in the middle. Fold in half, bringing the two ends together and pulling the front up tight and closed. It’s supposed to resemble a nurse’s hat.  It’s important not to “stuff” too much in there, as they will explode later. Practice makes perfect.

IMG_7899 Once you got your won tons ready, you can either fry them or make a soup with them. When I fry them, I use just a small amount of oil, on medium heat and flip often. I will follow this post with my Wor Won Ton Soup recipe.

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Steak Wrapped Asparagus

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This idea is so simple and can be done with steak or bacon. It’s a great idea for a barbecue appetizer or a side dish.

Simply pre-steam the asparagus, unless you want them to be crunchy. They are much better if they are cooked yet still have a crispness to them.

Wrap thin slices of meat around the Asparagus spears. Sometimes it’s best to use two stalks if they are skinny. try not to wrap it too much, so that the meat gets cooked throughout.

Cook on Medium for about 8 minutes, rotating after 2 minutes on all sides. You can go more or less depending on your meat temp preference.

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Fried Egg Over Asparagus

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It’s very simple, but the flavors work very well together. It also makes a nice plate.

  1. In one pan, add water about 1.2″ high. Add asparagus and boil by turning. Leave somewhat crisp, although cooked.
  2. In another pan prepare a fried or poached egg. I prefer to leave mine as runny as possible. 
  3. Plate the asparagus, add shredded cheese or parmesan and plate the egg on top.
  4. Add salt and pepper to finish
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