Appetizers Archives - Function Junction

Guacamole

4 avocados (pitted, scooped and mashed)1 lime (juiced)1/2 tsp fine sea salt1/2 tsp fresh black pepper (coarse-ground)2 tsp fresh jalapeno (seeded and finely minced)1/2 cup red onion (finely diced)3 tbsp fresh cilantro (chopped)1 Roma tomato (finely diced)Dash Tabasco sauce or other favorite hot sauce (optional) In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados.Add lime juice, salt and pepper. Mix in jalapeno, onion, cilantro and tomatoes. Add hot sauce if using.Place in airtight bowl for 1 hour to allow flavors to meld or serve immediately with fresh tortilla chips.About 10 ¼ cup servings. Recipe by Mary C. Merola - June 2010. Function Junction Culinary Studio

Jalapeno Poppers

18 Jalapeno peppers (large straight)6 oz cream cheese (softened at room temp for 30 minutes)2 oz sour cream¼ cup Colby or cheddar cheese (grated)¼ cup white center bread (torn into small pieces)1/8 cup red peppers (finely diced)1 tbsp sweet onion (grated)2 tbsp cilantro (finely chopped)¼ tsp oregano (dried)¼ tsp black pepper (fine)1/2 tsp sea salt1/2 tsp cumin1/2 tsp chili powder¼ tsp garlic powder Preheat oven to 375 degreesLine a jelly roll or half sheet pan with a silicone baking mat or parchment paperCut off the stem end of the peppersUsing a jalapeno corer, remove all membrane, pith and seedsMix half of the Colby cheese with remaining ingredients until well blendedStuff each pepper with the above mixture, leaving a...

Classic Middle Eastern Hummus

3 cloves garlic16 oz canned chickpeas (drained, liquid reserved)1 tsp sea salt2 tbsp sesame tahini paste1 lemon (juiced (be sure to remove seeds))1/4 c olive oil2 tbsp liquid from the chickpeas1/4 tsp Tabasco or other favorite hot sauce (optional)1/4 c minced flat parsley Peel and finely mince the garlic. Use a garlic press or the food processor fitted with the steel blade.Blend the tahini to mix the oil and solid paste.Add the garlic, chick peas, salt, tahini and lemon juice to the food processor and process until the hummus is coarsely pureed.Slowly pour in the olive oil while the processor is running.Check texture and add the liquid from the chick peas. Process to form a smooth...

Fresh Spring Rolls

4 ounces uncooked rice vermicelli8 rice wrappers (8.5 inch diameter)8 large cooked shrimp - peeled (deveined and halved, lengthwise)2 cloves garlic - peeled and smashed (optional)1 tbsp peanut oil1 cucumber (julienne cut including peel)1 small carrot (peeled, julienne cut)4 tsp Thai basil (chopped fresh )4 tsp mint leaves (chopped fresh )4 tsp cilantro (chopped fresh )3 leaves lettuce (chiffonade cut) Bring a medium saucepan of water to boil. Boil rice vermicelli 3 to 5 minutes (follow directions on the package) and drain. Rinse with cold water and place in bowl.Saute shrimp in peanut oil and garlic (optional). Do not overcook.Fill a large bowl with warm water. Dip three wrappers, one at a time, into the water for...

Hummus with Sun Dried Tomato and Harissa

3 cloves garlic16 oz canned chickpeas (drained, liquid reserved)1 tsp sea salt2 tbsp sesame tahini paste1 lemon juiced ( juiced)1/3 cup chopped sun dried tomato in oil1/4 cup olive oil2 tbsp liquid from the chickpeas1 tsp Harissa1/4 cup minced flat parsley Peel and finely mince the garlic. Use a garlic press or the food processor fitted with the steel blade.Blend the tahini to mix the oil and solid paste.Add the garlic, chick peas, salt, tahini and lemon juice to the food processor and process until hummus is coarsely pureed.Finely chop the sun dried tomato. Add to the mixture in food processor with its oil.Slowly pour in the olive oil while the processor...

One Bite Salad Appetizers – Caprese

Ingredients:

Fresh Mozzarella (in 1/2 inch cubes, or Fresh Mozzarella pearls)Cherry Tomatoes (halved if big, whole if small)Fresh Basil Leaves

Marinade for Fresh Mozzarella Cheese:

3 tbsp Olive Oil1 tbsp White Balsamic VinegarSalt and fresh ground pepper to taste Combine all marinade ingredients. Add the cubed fresh mozzarella, or mozzarella pearls to the marinade and let sit at room temperature for about an hour, or for 2 or more hours in the refrigerator.Thread the toothpick. Start with a basil leaf, a cherry tomato, a piece of the marinated fresh mozzarella, and another cherry tomato. Trim a little flat surface on the last cherry tomato before threading it on the toothpick if you would like...

One Bite Salad Appetizers – Greek Salad

Image shown with tomatoes

Ingredients:

Feta Cheese (cut into 1/2 inch cubes)English Cucumber (unpeeled, cut in ½ slices, then each slice quartered into triangles)Pitted Olives (large, green or black, cut in half)Mint Leaves

Marinade for Feta Cheese:

3 tbsp Orange Juice2 tsp Orange Zest2 tsp Fennel SeedsFresh Ground Pepper (to taste) Combine all marinade ingredients. Add the cubed feta cheese to the marinade and let it sit at room temperature for about and hour, or for 2 or more hours in the refrigerator.Thread the toothpick. Start with a mint leaf, a triangle of English cucumber, half an olive, and finally, a marinated feta cube. Do not press too firmly into, or all the way through,...