Starters | 20something cupcakes

Archives For Starters

roasted pepper + white bean dip.

February 20, 2012 — 18 Comments

This recipe is a perfect example of why blogging groups rock.

The Food Matters Cookbook is overflowing with recipes that I want to make. I’m elated when I receive email from fellow members that say, “Thank you SO much for starting this project. I can’t even begin to select a recipe because I want to make all of them!” That’s exactly how I felt, and I’m so happy we’re all in this together.

Not only for the biggest purpose to spread the word about the philosophy behind these recipes and this way of eating, but because flavor-bombs like this roasted red pepper pesto might have otherwise gone overlooked.

And not because it doesn’t look to be a delicious idea upon first glance – because it does. Moreso because of the overwhelming number of appealing recipes in this book. All of us, as both food bloggers and people who simply enjoy good food – yes, of course we have things in common, but we are also inherently different. Naturally, we’re going to be drawn to different recipes. That’s where the brilliance lies.

This was the first time I roasted peppers myself, and I was blown away by the difference between homemade and store-bought. There’s still a place in my heart – and in last-minute entertaining – for the jarred variety, but if you’ve got the extra time, there’s just no reason not to do it yourself. The difference in flavor is remarkable. And it’s super-easy to do.

In Food Matters Project, Healthy Eats, Starters dips + spreads, everything's better roasted, garlic, parmigiano-reggiano, roasted red peppers, vegetarian, walnuts, white beans

garlicky-parmesan popcorn.

February 13, 2012 — 8 Comments

When Kate said she had chosen popcorn for her first Food Matters Project recipe, I totally got it.

Why? Well, because stovetop popcorn is infinitely better than the bagged microwave variety, ridiculously easy to make, and there are unlimited ways to fancy-pants it up with other flavors and additions.

Yes, it’s also healthier – and the best part? It’s actually fun to make.

There’s something about popping popcorn in a big pot over the stove and shaking it around that feels old-school and, well, right. I do realize we’ve talked about this before (oh, hello truffled popcorn) but just in case I didn’t convince you the first time around, now you have a whole crew of people waxing poetic on the subject.

People need to know this stuff. If this little old blog can convince just one more person to try something new within the world of popcorn-making, then I’ve done my job.

In Food Matters Project, Healthy Eats, Starters garlic, movie night snacks, parmigiano-reggiano, popcorn

BLT wraps with basil aioli.

February 2, 2012 — 2 Comments

White bread. A thick smear of mayo, full-fat – preferably homemade. Crispy slices of thick-cut bacon. Cool, crisp Boston lettuce leaves. Thick, juicy bright red slices of heirloom tomato…well-seasoned, of course.

It’s a good time.

That folks, is a real BLT – a traditional BLT. It’s a truly perfect sandwich, if you ask me. The only problem with this sandwich is that it’s fairly limited by season. If you can’t get your hands on the perfect tomato, then you’re missing an imperative part of the sandwich. A BLT is the poster-child of simple food = beautiful food, and that means all of your ingredients must be, well, perfect.

Which is why I bring you this winter-friendly version of everyone’s favorite sandwich, the BLT.

In Fabulously Simple, Starters aioli, arugula, bacon, basil, lunching, sandwiches, sun-dried tomatoes

white bean + avocado dip.

January 31, 2012 — 11 Comments

I’ve always wondered if there was a way that guacamole could be improved upon.

I’ve discovered that there is. Well, that’s if you consider making it healthier an improvement. I do, when it still tastes just as good – if not better.

Question: Do you ever think it’s funny when you hear people say, “Oh, I make the best guacamole!” or “I don’t know what my dad puts in his guacamole, but it’s the best ever!” Now I’ve made guac many, many times. It’s, like, always good. I like to think I make the best guac, but in truth, I think pretty much everyone that takes a stab at it does a decent job.

This stuff is hard to mess up, peeps! Mash up some avocado, add lime or lemon juice to taste, maybe a chopped tomato if you’re in the mood, a little minced something from the allium family…are you WTF-ing over there? New vocab word of the day comin’ at ya: The allium family is made up of garlic, onions, shallots, scallions, leeks, and chives – yes, these little guys are imperative in the world of good eats when it comes to building and adding flavor. Lesson concluded.

Now back to the guac…seasoning! Seasoning can make or break your guacamole. And by seasoning, I mean salt. Add all of these ingredients – to TASTE, by the way, which anyone is capable of doing – and you too can make the very best guac that your mother, cousin, half-brother and his wife and kids have ever tasted.

In Healthy Eats, Starters avocado, basil, cilantro, dips + spreads, football fun-day, guacamole, lemon, mexican recipes, white beans

chipotle deviled eggs.

January 29, 2012 — 7 Comments

Have you ever been to a party where the deviled eggs weren’t the first thing to go?

Chipotle Deviled Eggs

There’s just something about them. Which is why when I made them the other day, I couldn’t take them out of the fridge until our guests arrived. They’re just too easy to pop into your mouth and if you put ‘em out too early, before you know it, the deviled eggs are donezo.

In a lot of cases, it’s hard to improve on the original and classic recipe. But I think chipotle is a sequel we can all get behind. You need to like a little spice in your life, yes – and who doesn’t like the smoky flavor of chipotle?

In Dinner Party Worthy, Starters chipotle, deviled eggs, football fun-day, hard-boiled eggs

easy homemade ceviche.

December 29, 2011 — Leave a comment

Making ceviche at home might be one of my new favorite activities.

Now, that I’ve finally discovered a fresh seafood market just minutes away… I mean, come on…we only live in the boating capital of the world. You’d think someone would have had this covered sooner.

This place is seriously awesome, and if you happen to live in Fort Lauderdale, I highly recommend it. Not only do they have an incredible selection of fresh seafood, they’ll even cook it for you, if you ask! Now that doesn’t really interest me, because you know I want to take it home and soak it in a big bowl of citrus to make ceviche…but, it’s a nice idea, don’t you think? And if all of that wasn’t enough, this place even sells baguettes from my favorite Las Olas bakery - making it a total and complete one-stop shop. Boom!

In Fabulously Simple, Starters fish, healthy, mexican recipes, rick bayless, seafood

sun-dried tomato + pesto torta.

December 21, 2011 — 10 Comments

Guys…what if I told you I had found the single greatest Christmas appetizer you could ever wish for?

Because I did.

This is a torta. What’s a torta, you ask? Why, many people think of a torta as a cake! And it kind of is…only this is a cake made out of sun-dried tomato, pesto, and cream cheese – okay, and a smidge of butter. Does this sound like your kind of cake? Trust me when I say, this is everyone’s kind of cake.

It’s definitely Santa’s type of a cake. Does it get more festive than these beautiful shades of white, red, and green? It does not, I can assure you. But more importantly – it doesn’t get any more delicious, either.

In Starters basil, celebrate, christmas recipes, cream cheese, dips + spreads, pesto, pine nuts, sun-dried tomatoes

super-easy baked salsa + goat cheese.

November 14, 2011 — 3 Comments

Have you ever considered tossing a container of salsa over a mixture of goat cheese, cream cheese, and toasted pine nuts – and then baking it off in the oven until heated through?

If not, I invite you to try it. It’s probably the easiest and quickest appetizer ever to exist, and it’s also super-delicious.

Now, you know I don’t usually condone using store-bought salsa, but here that’s the route I like to go. It makes this dip *that* much easier, and when you’re working with a recipe as simple as this one, it just doesn’t make any sense to complicate things.

In Fabulously Simple, Starters cream cheese, dips + spreads, easy appetizers, goat cheese, pine nuts, salsa

simple guacamole, rick bayless-style.

November 1, 2011 — 2 Comments

Can one ever have too many recipes for guacamole?

I’ll give you a hint: It’s the same answer you’d receive if you were to ask me if one could ever have too many margarita recipes.

Duh.

These types of things just aren’t possible. So, I invite you to try this simple guacamole recipe from the wonderful Rick Bayless. Because…well, he may kiiinda know a thing or two about good Mexican food.

In Fabulously Simple, Starters avocado, guacamole, mexican recipes, rick bayless

halloween party recipes.

October 27, 2011 — 1 Comment

Last year, I hosted a pretty ridic Halloween party. Well, it was more like a pre-party, but I still had a lot of fun doing it. I made several of these recipes I posted from last year – the witches’ brew, the cupcakes, and the cheese ball. I also forced 7 of my closest girlfriends into dressing up as Trolls.

Yeah…so we won the costume contest. Duh. Ladies, if you’re aware of any contests where you can make beaucoup bucks, and you’re willing to rock one of these not-so-flattering bodysuits, I strongly encourage you to go for the Trolls. It’s a statistical fact that you’ll win.

I was a bit exhausted after organizing last year’s festivities, so this year there won’t be a Halloween party. Instead, we will do a light pre-game at a BFF’s, where we will have witches’ brew and maybe an app or two, before heading to our party at the W. But, in case you’re feeling like making something spooky this weekend, I thought I’d share some of the most amazing ideas I’ve seen around the web with you.

In Starters appetizers, candy corn, celebrate, cocktails, cupcakes, halloween