Showing posts with label appetizer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label appetizer. Show all posts

12.23.2014

Easy Cheezy Party Appetizers

Party season once again, and many homes will surely be open to welcome family and friends to celebrate the holidays. Usually, I find myself stressing out on what to serve our guests whenever we host get-togethers at home. I want to keep things simple and hassle free, especially for me. I'm really just a lazy cook. More often, we just order so it's fast and convenient. On top of delivered meals, I add one or two finger foods to complete the buffet.


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5.04.2012

Foodie Friday: Kani Salad Roll-Up with Wasabi-Mayo

First Friday of the month:  Food / Recipe


We're all feeling the heat wave in this country and I just want to drink and eat something cold, or light and refreshing every single day.  There's no surprise to this post since the title said it all. And as I celebrate my 3rd blog anniversary this May, I thought it's nice to start the month with an ode to one of my most popular food posts -- kani salad (which, by the way, is currently #1 on Google search for 'kani salad'! Woot!)




In my recent trip to the grocery, I spotted a pack of tortilla and dropped it in my cart, not knowing what to do with it. When I got home, I found all the ingredients to make our favorite kani salad, which I already featured here, and planned to serve it for dinner. But I had another idea. Tortilla + kani salad... eureka!

It's gonna be a wrap for dinner! =) The whole family can help prepare this super simple and delicious roll-up -- no cooking required!  Just by looking at the photos, I'm sure you already know what you need and how to do this.

KANI SALAD ROLL-UP with WASABI-MAYO

Soft tortillas
Kani sticks (Japanese imitation crab meat), cut in half, length-wise
Cucumber, cut in sticks
Fresh ripe mango, slice vertically and scoop out
Washed lettuce
Japanese mayonnaise (I use Kewpie brand)
Prepared wasabi (hot/spicy Japanese condiment of horseradish and mustard mix)
Homemade or bottled herb vinaigrette, optional dressing (I use Gourmet's brand)



For the wasabi-mayo:
Mix 1 part prepared wasabi + 2 parts Japanese mayo (1:2)
(Or you can do 1:3 if you want the spice to be mild.  Adjust proportion according to your taste.)

To prepare:
Lay tortilla flat on a board and spread some wasabi-mayo mix on the center
Layer 2 - 3 lettuce leaves over the wasabi-mayo, which acts as a glue
Add more wasabi-mayo over the lettuce and assemble all the filling on top
Carefully flip lower end of the tortilla over the filling and roll over tight
Wipe some mayo on the top edge of the tortilla to act as glue and secure your roll-up


You can make as many rolls as you want. 1 roll is good for 1, or maybe not enough! =) Press together and hold 2 or 3 rolls and, with a sharp knife, carefully slice into 6 or 8.

A perfectly balanced combination of juicy kani, crisp and cool lettuce and cucumbers, spicy dressing, sweet and succulent mangoes, all wrapped in soft and chewy tortilla.

You can use more of the wasabi-mayo as dipping sauce -- it tastes fantastic with that extra kick!  I forgot to add some nori strips with the filling though, and for sure, it would have added another dimension to the flavor of this refreshing salad roll-up.

Serve on a bed of lettuce, with extra dressing on the side. Dip or drizzle before you pop a slice in your mouth.  A drizzle of the herb vinaigrette adds some tang to the sweet-cool-spicy taste. But you can just stick with the wasabi-mayo for extra creaminess.


I always loved the combination of sweet mangoes and kani! With the tortilla, I now have a more filling alternative to the usual kani salad that I often prepare with our dinner.  This kani salad roll-up is great as appetizers too, or served as hors d'oeuvres during parties.  Try this perfect summer salad roll-up  now!

Care to share your summer-inspired recipes for my Reader's Nook?
Have you tried any of the featured recipes from this blog?
Tweet me your food shots if you did, I'd love to see your version! :)


I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
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6.03.2011

Foodie Friday: Garlic Mushrooms

First Friday of the month:  Mom-Cook / Recipes


"Oooh, my favorite... mushrooms!"
That's what you'll hear from my girl whenever I serve this super simple starter.  Well, we actually eat this with plain steamed rice!


Whenever I am short of one more viand to serve, or when I feel that what I've prepared were not enough, I can always, always, depend on this quick and yummy mushroom dish. So this is gonna be a short quick food post too! :)

This is one of my "instant" recipes since it does not require much time to prepare and cook. Plus, you only need a few ingredients for a juicy and tasty dish that can go as an appetizer or simple side dish. That's why I always keep stock of canned mushrooms. I just wouldn't know if this would work with other edible fungi. If you have tried others, do share.

GARLIC MUSHROOMS

1 can whole button
2 tablespoons olive oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoons Knorr seasoning
1/2 teaspoon Balsamic vinegar
1/2 teaspoon Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce
pepper
Spanish paprika
parsley, chopped (optional)
cayenne pepper, chili flakes (optional)


To prepare:
Mince garlic. Set aside.
Heat pan and pour in oil.
Open and drain a can of whole button mushrooms.
Slice in half if mushroom pieces are large. This will help absorb the flavors more.

To cook:
Saute garlic in oil until lightly toasted, then add mushrooms.
Season with Knorr, balsamic vinegar, worcestershire sauce, pinch of paprika and ground pepper.
Add ground cayenne pepper or chili flakes if you prefer hot and spicy.
Saute for just another minute or 2, making sure the mushrooms are well coated and evenly flavored.
Toss in parsley.

Serve immediately.
Good for 2 to 3.


ALL my measurements above are approximate as I just eyeball everything while I cook this. I season straight from the bottles. So adjust taste to your liking -- especially the saltiness, while some may want more balsamic vinegar.

Quick, simple, mouthwatering. Just the way we like it!
This dish was inspired by a favorite order from Dulcinea, a local cafe.

If you like this dish, you might wanna try this pasta gambasetti!
Get more simple recipes here.

Happy express cooking!

I'd love to know your thoughts on this post.  If you enjoyed this, feel free to share it!
Get instant updates:
My Mom-Friday on Facebook
Follow me on Twitter
Also on Google Friend Connect, or Subscribe Via Email.
I try my best to reply and answer any questions you may have on each entry so check back if you've left one. Thank you and do visit again!
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