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Archive for the ‘appetizer’ Category

spinach and artichoke dip

I never really watch sports on TV. While I enjoy going to the occasional game it’s never really been one of my bigger interests. I will make the exception on occasion and did so a couple of months back and went to a friend’s place for a game. I actually think I ended up leaving before the beginning of the game, but before I left I ate some of the most delectable vegan spinach and artichoke dip.

I knew I had to have this dip recipe for myself. So I did. And I’ve made it several times tweaking a little here and there (it always comes out delicious). Once I even made it for a party and then “forgot” to bring it so I could save most of it for myself.

I made it again for the super bowl on Sunday. This recipe makes quite a bit of dip, but it was basically all gone by the end of the game. And that’s probably only because I didn’t put out the last quarter cup or so of what was left (shh)…

This is seriously the best spinach and artichoke dip ever. I’ve always liked artichoke and spinach dips at restaurants. But they’re often overly heavy to the point where the flavor almost seems dull. Or the cheesy flavor overpowers the flavors of the vegetables in it. Even so, I was always a fan. But this dip outshines all other spinach artichoke dips of my past. I don’t know if it’s that vegan mayo is superior to the traditional egg-based mayo or if it’s the tangy sun-dried tomatoes or what. But you have to make this. Enough said.

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mini deep dish pizzas

Last week, I made these mini-deep dish pizzas for a chicago-themed dinner party. In the chicago deep dish tradition, these little guys were stuffed with cheese and filling and topped with a layer of tomato sauce. They were a huge hit, with people trying to take more than their share, getting into epic battles over the last ones… Okay, I exaggerate, but they really were popular! And I can see why. We had stuffed them with a homemade giardiniera, which is a very popular condiment in Chicago.

These were super easy to make, though I guess a little more work than just making one large pizza, but as an added bonus, they are extremely cute! They make perfect appetizers, side dishes, or snacks. The mini pizzas were so tasty that I had to share them (that is to say, they were so good I had to make them again immediately). (more…)

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When I was a kid, probably about 9 years old, I wanted to start a garden. I begged my mom to help me make one in our yard, and tried to convince her that I would take care of it (plant, weed, water, you know, the usual). I doubt she actually thought I would do all of those things at such a tender age, but I guess I convinced her that I wanted one badly enough.  I think my interest lasted long enough to watch as she dug up the earth and plant some flowers. I’ll be honest, I don’t actually remember participating in the actual gardening at all (but who knows, maybe I just have a fuzzy memory).

Time passed. We moved across town. I went to college, then graduate school… Come this year, I learn that my mom has nurtured the sweetest herb garden in our yard. What, you thought I would have a garden?? Psh, please. I’ve killed a third of the plants I’ve tried to raise this year. Maybe someday I will be brave and start a windowsill herb “garden.”

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Crispy, crunchy vegetable pancakes are summertime fried into pure comfort food. The fresh sweetness of the shredded vegetables is complemented by the electric zing of a creamy lemon-garlic sauce. Together, the latkes and white bean sauce make a complete and satisfying light meal or snack.

This recipe has been several years in the making. The first batch of vegan latkes I attempted were an unmitigated disaster. Weighed down by too much matzoh meal, they were too chewy, not very crispy, and a most unappealing shade of grey to boot. After slaving away on the recipe, shredding the potatoes by hand on a grater–these were my pre-food-processor days–it was a major disappointment.  I swore I would never attempt another latke again, and we resigned ourselves to clearly inferior packaged latke mixes around Hannukah.
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When we were in college, my then-boyfriend (now-husband) and I used to order in Chinese food to our dorm room every week at the end of the semester. The cafeteria was closed Friday and Saturday nights. The problem sets would pile up. The city of Boston with its lights twinkling outside the dorm window seemed distant, the walk to a restaurant insurmountable. Ah, campusfood.com, how I loved you. General Gao’s vegetarian-chicken, some steamed dumplings, white rice, a Buddha’s delight. And scallion pancakes. Josh always ordered the scallion pancakes.

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