We met with friends the other night for a Merlot tasting party. The main dish was grilled salmon and I was tasked with bringing an appetizer. I decided to bring prosciutto wrapped prawns. It was a beautiful hot summer evening and I wanted something that was quick, easy and would compliment the wine and our dinner. I’ve made this recipe by wrapping prosciutto, pancetta or even thinly sliced bacon – it’s all good!  I was...

Last night, we had dinner with a group of friends for a "blind" wine tasting of cabs. Everyone brought wine, which was later "bagged and tagged" for the tasting, and a dish.  My dish assignment: appetizers. And since the main dish was a delishous prime rib, beef was out of the question for my dish.  I would up deciding two bring two dishes…in hindsight, for our group of eight, just one of these appetizers...

Cut one jalapeno in half and remove the stem and seeds (carefully!) and add to food processor with a bunch (roughly a cup) of cilantro leaves. Chop for 10 – 20 seconds in food processor. Add juice of one lime and some salt and pepper to taste and give a couple pulses to mix.  NOTE: the next time I make this salsa, I think I'm going to finely grate some of the rind off of the lime to add to the salsa. Add 5 medium tomatoes roughly...

We are so lucky to have a bounty of tomatoes from our patio garden this year! After a few summers of dismal results, we are determined to not let any tomatoes be wasted. We always enjoy bruschetta but now my new favorite thing to make with our tomatoes is jam! I actually posted this first on Facebook "live" and I've been tweeking the recipe a little every time I make it. I used small canning jars that have been cleaned and...

I've had this vision of watching Napoleon Dynamite and serving gourmet tator tots.  Well that combo hasn't happened yet…but last night, when we were having a couple of New York steaks for dinner and I forgot to pick up a side at the store, I had my chance to create my gourmet tots. Embarassingly easy and very tasty! I start with: ORE-IDA Tator Tots Crispy Crowns.  I sprinkled them with some truffle salt and fresh...

I think just about anything is better when it's wrapped in prosciutto… I picked up some fresh figs that were on sale at Metropolitan Market in West Seattle the other day. When I got home, I wondered "now what?!!"  I decided to grill them and this recipe is very easy, delicious and forgiving.  Heat up your grill nice and hot (I used gas, for ease, but the Big Green Egg would do nicely too). The idea is to quickly...

  I have this in the "appetizer" category, however hubby and I actually enjoy this for dinner (and desert) too!.  Start with your basic bruschetta and top with… Pictured left:  Fig jam, proscuitto or seranno ham, thin slice of manchego cheese, mint and a drizzle of balsalmic vinegar. In the center, melt blue cheese or gorgonzola (I did this on the grill that was still warm from toasting the...

We're planning a high school graduation party for my son this weekend. Here's the menu: Pulled pork sliders Cole slaw Teriyaki Meatballs  Mexican Layer Dip and Chips Three-Cheese Mini Macs Antipasto Pasta Salad Deconstructed Ceaser Salad (centerpiece for a veggie tray) Sliced melons with berries What am I forgetting?  We'll find out soon!  Desert will be s'mores by the fire and chocolate cake.  Seattle...

This is a delicious easy appetizer that I whipped up last night.  I've been pleasantly surprised to see Chanterelle's at reasonable prices and they're in season so I couldn't resist picking some up even though I wasn't totally sure what I was going to do with them. First I chopped pancetta into small bite sized pieces and brown in a non-stick pan.  Metropolitan Market happened to have a small portion in...

Stephanie Dawson is a real estate agent at John L. Scott’s Kent North office.  She also creates beautiful handmade cards and other hand crafted items.  I had the pleasure of devouring one of Stephanie’s pickles at a planning meeting for the next Seattle RE Barcamp. I was delighted when she told me she has her recipes on video!   Check out her crispy pickles! ...

I almost can end my post right there…this recipe is so simple! Soak some wooden skewers in water. Take raw large prawns, I buy mine devined and shelled, and put in a bowl. Grate some fresh lemon zest over the prawns–you really don't need too much.  Drizzle a little olive oil in the bowl and gently toss the shrimp.  Let it sit while you wash & dry the basil. Wrap the shrimp in a fresh basil leaf and then wrap a...

 Not "really" a recipe…this is just what I "assembled" to go with our Washington Merlot virtual wine tasting on Twitter last night. Metropolitan Market's mini-hamburger buns, or you can use small dinner rolls. Fry pancetta or bacon in a non-stick pans.  I used sliced pancetta. In a separate pan, saute sweet onions in a pan with olive oil until soft and golden. I used Kobe beef but any...

Our family recently vacationed in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.  One of the restaurants we had lunch at, Zippers, offered grilled jalapeno's as an appetizer.  They were fantastic!  So simple and so good. I'm going to give this a try on the Big Green Egg soon…I'll be sure to report back when I...

I promised this post a while back and with "the big game" yesterday, I finally made stuffed poppers on the big green egg and boy oh boy, they are delish.  I used my basic cream cheese stuffing recipe and added a couple tablespoons of Anne's Pesto Sundried Tomato. I also placed thinly sliced bacon in a mixture of molasses and brown sugar to marinate while I mixed the cream cheese and prepared the jalapeno.  During...

This is so simple–I almost shouldn't call it a recipe. Slice a loaf of ciabatta bread in half lengthwise. Spread with your favorite pesto sauce (I've used traditional basil pesto and sundried tomato with equal success)…make it fresh or buy premade. Top with sliced fresh mozzarella. Bake in 375 degree oven until the cheese melts. Add sliced tomatoes (optional). ...

Editors Note: This is another reprint from my main blog…but I thought with all the upcoming football games–this is a must share!  I understand you can grill these up on a Big Green Egg…which I PROMISE I will try soon! For the first time, I made stuffed poppers and they were delish (if you like spicy food).  They were devoured while we watched the Seahawks beat the Indians yesterday! I learned through my experiment,...

I origally had this recipe posted here…I was reminded about it since my in-laws hinted they would love me to bring this (again) for Christmas Eve. This is the dish I'm requested to make for just about any family gathering…including Thanksgiving.   It works year round and you can easily substitute various ingredients (for example, bacon instead of pancetta or Gouda instead of goat cheese).  It's quick, easy...

Let’s hope they win…Seattle is in dire need of a sports team we can cheer for!  I’m just home from the store and have purchased about 3 pounds of organic chicken wings.  The organic wings seem to be meatier and better tasting IMO.  (I do prefer organic foods whenever possible).   I have generously spiced  them using Emeril’s Essence (Bayou Blast).   And the Big Green Egg is heating...

We love to grow our own tomatoes in pots (since we don’t have a yard).  Once the tomatoes are ripe enough to eat, chances are they’re going on bruschetta.   Here’s a super simple recipe that’s so basic, I’m almost embarrassed to write a post about it. Bruschetta is a great use of day old bread.  A bagette is ideal, however I’ve used many different types before.  Slice bread into...