Starters Archives - Page 2 of 8

Curried Red Lentil Hummus

October 17, 2022 1 Comment

Hummus is a staple food in this house. My fridge feels naked without it, truth be told. And no, it’s not always a from-scratch gourmet situation. I’m not above grabbing a tub at the grocery store, particularly when I make the mistake of shopping while hungry. But when my stomach isn’t roaring and I have the gift of time and forethought, I prefer to make my hummus from scratch. And if I’m feeling adventurous, I like to fiddle with it quite a lot. Not all my hummus adventures are noteworthy. Some of them are noteworthy for less than positive reasons. But today’s Curried Red Lentil Hummus is a winner through and through. So let’s jump right in!

Snacks, Starters, Vegetarian

Roasted Red Pepper Labneh with Charred Corn

September 12, 2022 No Comments

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I realize we’re inching our way into fall and today’s Roasted Red Pepper Labneh with Charred Corn has summer written all over it but I don’t care. I can still sit comfortably on my back patio, and corn is sweeter and more plentiful than ever. And even the calendar is behind me. It’s summer until the 22nd and if current temperatures persist, I’m not even willing to accept that date as summer’s end. I’m not going to go on the ever-trendy tirade against pumpkin spice because I like pumpkin spice and I’m not against anything people find joy in. But I would like to live in this summery moment a little longer. So let’s temporarily banish thoughts of Halloween and dig into this labneh.

Breads & Rolls, Sides, Snacks, Starters

Apricot and Olive Focaccia with Honey & Pistachios

August 18, 2022 1 Comment

Apricot and Olive Focaccia with Honey and Pistachios

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Summer may be winding down but I’m going to keep the picnic and patio food coming. As a Canadian, I am hearty when it comes to cold weather. I will gladly sit on a patio deep into November. And if apricots were in-season that far into the fall, I would happily eat this Apricot and Olive Focaccia while I did it. This bread is studded with fresh apricot wedges and Kalamata olives before being baked to golden perfection. It is then glazed with honey while it’s still hot and sprinkled with crushed salted pistachios. Focaccia may be traditionally billed as a starter but this focaccia eats like a meal. In fact, I ate half of this for dinner and it was a solid choice all around.

Salads, Sides, Starters, Vegetarian

Watermelon Wedge Salad with Falafel Spiced Chickpeas

July 31, 2022 1 Comment

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I have a weakness for American salads. And when I say weakness, I don’t necessarily mean I find them hopelessly delicious, although I do feel that way about some of them. No, what I find appealing about salads from the United States is how varied and out-and-out creative they are. Who else would plunk miniature marshmallows in the middle of lime Jello and call it a salad? Who?! And ambrosia salad? How wild is that? While today’s Watermelon Wedge Salad doesn’t pay tribute to the more outlandish dishes claiming to be salads. Today’s recipe gets its format from a particularly beloved slice of Americana, or perhaps I should say wedge.