Cheesy Chipotle Bacon cups

Makes: 30 Bacon Cups

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Cooking Level: Easy

Ingredients

·         2 1.9 oz packages frozen, fully cooked mini phyllo shells

·         3 oz block-style cream cheese, room temperature

·         1/4 cup chive and onion cream cheese

·         1 egg

·         2 tsp fresh lime juice

·         2 tsp all-purpose flour

·         1/4 tsp ground cumin

·         1 tbsp chopped chipotle peppers in adobo sauce

·         1/4 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese

·         3 tbsp chopped fully cooked bacon

·         2 tbsp chopped cilantro

·         Garnish cilantro sprigs and lime wedges

Method

1.    Heat oven to 350 degrees.

2.    Arrange the frozen shells on a baking sheet and set aside.

3.    In a mixer bowl, beat both cream cheeses, egg, lime juice, flour, and cumin until smooth.

4.    Fold in the chipotle peppers and spoon the mixture evenly into each shell.

5.    Sprinkle each shell evenly with cheddar and bacon. Bake until filling is set, about 15 minutes.

6.    Remove from oven and sprinkle each with some chopped cilantro.

7.    Place shells on serving platter and if desired, garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges. Serve at once.

Bruschetta with Smoked Salmon Recipe

Yields: 4 (lunch or supper) or 24 Appetizer portions (depending on how you cut the bread)

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Level: Medium

Main ingredients

• Loaf of crusty French, Italian, or "artisanal" bread
• 4 cloves (cut in half ) garlic
• 4 - 6 tablespoons of olive oil
• 4 ounce package (cut into small 1" by 2" pieces) of smoked salmon,
• 4 ounce package of soft chevre, or goat cheese

Optional

• Up to 24 - 32 arugula leaves
• 2 tablespoons capers
• Sprigs of fresh dill
• Up to 24 - 32 basil leaves

Directions

1.    Set your broiler to high.  

2.    Cut  the bread into thick slices - about 3/4" to 1" thick

3.    Toast the bread under the broiler until golden brown - about 1 minute on each side. 

4.    While the toasted bread is still hot, rub it with the cut sides of the garlic cloves to release the garlic scent.  

5.    Drizzle or brush one side of the toasts with the olive oil.

6.    Top each piece of bread with either a piece of smoked salmon, or a thin layer of the goat cheese.   

7.    Continue adding your other topping ingredients - the arugula, parsley sprigs, dill sprigs, and capers.   Have fun and be as creative as you'd like!

8.    If you're serving the bruschetta for a family lunch or supper, just put out the ingredients and let everyone assemble their own!

Antipasto Platter

Antipasto Platter

Serves:12

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Cooking Level: Easy

Ingredients:

• ½ pound capocollo
• ½ pound salami
• ½ pound sopressata
• ½ pound prosciutto
• ½ pound mortadella
• ½ pound smoked ham
• ½ pound roast beef
• ½ pound pepperoni
• ½ pound provolone
• ½ pound smoked and fresh mozzarella
• ½ pound brie
• ½ pound gouda
• Peperoncini
• Shrimp (optional)
• Pickles
• Roasted peppers
• Marinated tomatoes
• Giardiniera (mixed pickled vegetables)
• Marinated artichokes
• A selection of good olives
• Hearts of palm
• Marinated mushrooms

Instructions:

1. Roll each slice of meat and cheese into little tubes.
2. Arrange on a platter, trying to mix colors for an attractive presentation.
3. The pickles, peppers, and tomatoes can be placed in small bowls to prevent the liquids from seeping into the other ingredients.
4. You may want to increase or decrease the amount of meats and cheeses you use depending on the number of guests you are expecting.