NHGR: Random Food Clicky

[thewop]

There is an appetizer contest for my work in a few weeks and I'm trying to decide what to make. I want to go for simple or a classic. Last year I won with Jalapeno Popper Spread.

Do you have an awesome appetizer you think would win and are willing to share?

[wawa]

People love guacamole, but a warm dip is flashier and will get more votes.

[mrsemilys]

I love guacamole but I'm picky about it and really only usually love my own.

[thewop]

Dec 6, 2012 10:11:37 GMT -5 mrsemilys said:

I love guacamole but I'm picky about it and really only usually love my own.

I know exactly what you mean. We're very particular about our guac too. Flavor and consistancy.

Looks like the spinach artichoke dip is getting all the love.

[emjacobs]

Personally I wouldn't eat either one but I voted for the warm one. I'm allergic to fresh tomatoes which are usually in Guac so by default the only one I could eat is the second, but I only like spinach fresh and cold

[wawa]

If you want to go with something other than a dip I think this is the app I've made taht got the most rave reviews. It's a little different than the usual, which is a good strategy for a contest as long as you aren't dealing with super picky eaters.

mygoodnessblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/07/pistachio-stuffed-dates/

you MUST do the bacon wrap though. without it they're just good. With it they're amazing.

[thewop]

emj- we don't do tomatoes in our guac :-)

[thewop]

Wawa- I'll have to look at that when I get home (blogs are blocked at work). Who doesn't love bacon?

[thewop]

Do you guys thing blueberry white cheddar dip is too out there?
www.howsweeteats.com/2012/07/hot-blueberry-cheddar-dip-with-toasty-bread/

[wawa]

Dec 6, 2012 11:11:00 GMT -5 thewop said:

Wawa- I'll have to look at that when I get home (blogs are blocked at work). Who doesn't love bacon?

vegetarians.

Which is funny because the first time i made those it was for a baby shower and the mom-to-be doesn't eat meat.

It's my (defunct) blog, so I'll just C&P the recipe for you.

Stuffed Dates adapted from One Hundred Eggs

1/2 cup almonds
3/4 cup pistachios (or other nut if you insist)
1/2 Tbsp brown sugar
4 Tbsp honey
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1 healthy pinch of salt
1-2 tsp rosewater
30 pitted dates
15 pieces of bacon, cut in half (Optional)

1. Toast your nuts. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F for 4-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them, burnt nuts are a horrible thing and cannot be salvaged.

2. Pulse the nuts in a food processor until finely chopped. Add the spices and sugar and pulse to combine. Add the honey (start with about half of it and see what happens) and the rosewater and pulse to combine.

3. Squeeze a pinch of the nut mix. If the clump holds together you are good to go. If not, add the rest of the honey (and feel free to consider adding more rose water as well. Taste it and see what you think) and pulse to combine. The resulting mixture reminded me of Floam, and started to climb the sides of the food processor.

4. Stuff the pitted dates with the nut mixture. Both the filling and the date are sticky enough that you shouldn’t have any problems getting the filling to stay put. Just put a spoonful in there and shape the date back into a football shape around the filling. You will get sticky; just go with it and remember not to lick your fingers until you are done. (to pit dates – cut a slit down one side of the date using a paring knife. Remove pit. Very easy)

5. (Optional) Wrap with bacon, using tooth picks if needed to hold the bacon in place. Bake on a broiling pan or rack above a cookie sheet at 375 degrees till the bacon is crispy. Let cool and eat. Tasty warm or at room temp.

The bacon-less version will keep for a couple of days in an airtight container at room temp. The bacon-ed version needs to be refrigerated to store and should be reheated for a few minutes in a warm oven. And should you be without food processor, this could all be done with some diligent knife work on the nuts, maybe a little smashing in a ziploc bag with a rolling pin, and then just stirring in the spices and honey by hand.

[wawa]

Dec 6, 2012 11:14:24 GMT -5 thewop said:

Do you guys thing blueberry white cheddar dip is too out there?
www.howsweeteats.com/2012/07/hot-blueberry-cheddar-dip-with-toasty-bread/

I don't think it's too out there. But I don't like blueberries with cheddar. I'd totally try it with chevre instead though. Or maybe some brie with the rind cut off?

[thewop]

Whoa. It's very gourmet sounding! Super delicious I'm sure, but I've found that my lame co-workers don't appreciate fine foods. I'm going to save the recipe for Christmas though. My family would appreciate them.

I found that out the hard way that my coworkers are lame when I made these awesome mousse filled chocolate cups (chocolate cups were even homemade), and more than half were left after the dessert contest. And the simple apple pie won that year This past year a plan 'ol german chocolate cake recipe won. My Guinness cupcakes with Bailey's frosting were too indimidating I guess. SO....that's why I want to go with something a little less fancy.

[wawa]

ah! ok...well in that case - I go back to my vote for the artichoke dip. Everybody loves warm dip.

I've got a recipe bookmarked around here somewhere for a Rueben dip that looked really good if you think that'd fly with this crowd.

[munkii]

I voted for spinach dip, but another suggestion based on simple+classic+lame: something retro? You could do mini-cheese balls or deviled eggs, for example, and maybe change the traditional flavor profile to something more modern.

Here are some examples:
weheartthis.com/2009/08/11/retro-appetizer-bonanza/
www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/817573/Retro-Hors-d-oeuvres/page:2
www.hillonhollywood.com/2012/01/retro-appetizers.html

[wawa]

Ohhh....everybody loves deviled eggs.

[salsaverde]

I am the *self-proclaimed guacamole expert* and NO tomatoes please!

To answer your question, I like chips and guac in the summer, but prefer a warm spinach dip this time of year.

Unless its the superbowl, all bets are off, I like it all.

[floridakat]

I want to work somewhere that has appetizer and dessert contests!

[thewop]

Dec 6, 2012 14:10:27 GMT -5 floridakat said:

I want to work somewhere that has appetizer and dessert contests!

This is one of the only GOOD things about my job. I hate it everyother day. Like I'm mildly depressed because of my job. It sucks.

[floridakat]

Dec 6, 2012 14:28:51 GMT -5 thewop said:

Dec 6, 2012 14:10:27 GMT -5 floridakat said:

I want to work somewhere that has appetizer and dessert contests!

This is one of the only GOOD things about my job. I hate it everyother day. Like I'm mildly depressed because of my job. It sucks.

Oh, that does suck. I hate being somewhere where I'm miserable every day. All the guacamole in the world doesn't make up for that!