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Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets

August 5, 2017

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tarlettes

I have been experimenting a bit with different Quinoa recipes, and made Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets.   Quinoa is gluten-free and it much healthier than other options.

Quinoa

I like the Trader Joe’s Organic Quinoa that you get in the frozen section.   However, you can find organic quinoa in other brands as well that require cooking it on the stove.

Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tarlettes

You need a mini tart pan which you can find almost any where these days.

Print Recipe
 Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets
Quinoa Jalapeno Popper Tartlets have just the right amount of spice.
Course Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Course Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings
people
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. If you buy the quinoa that needs to be cooked, follow the package instructions. Usually it takes about 15 minutes to cook. If you buy the organic quinoa that is already cooked from Trader Joes, just heat up according to box instructions.
  2. Once the quinoa has been cooked or heated up, place in a large bowl and immediately add the cream cheese so it melts and mixes easier.
  3. Add all the other ingredients except the eggs and mix together.
  4. Beat eggs together and then pour into quinoa mixture and mix well. The eggs help bind the mixture together so that it does not fall apart.
  5. Spray your mini tart pan with cooking spray and then fill with the quinoa mixture.
  6. Cook at 350 in the over for 20 minutes and let cool for about 5 minutes.
  7. Use a knife around the edges to help get the tartlets out without breaking them and serve on a platter.
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Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Gift Ideas

Fig Jam

August 3, 2017

Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate

Fresh figs can be found this time of year in the produce section at some gourmet groceries stores or farmers markets.  Believe it or not there are about 6 different types of figs:  Black Mission Figs, Brown Turkey Figs, Adriatic Figs (also called white figs), Calimyrna Figs, and Kodota Figs which are less sweet than the other figs.

Figs in basket

I found the Brown Turkey Figs, and they are very sweet.  Figs are one of those fruits that can be used for so many things.  You use them in a salad, on a cheese platter freshly cut or in jam form like this recipe.  you can also use it to baste on a pork tenderloin or chop.  It would also be really great with lamb.  And of course my original intent when I bought the figs was to braise them in a port and serve over ice cream, but I decided I would make this jam instead.

Figs with Sugar for Jam

I hope you enjoy this recipe!  If you like it, I would love to have you comment on my blog post for this recipe.

 

Print Recipe
 Fig Jam
Fig Jam
Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate
Course Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
cips
Ingredients
Course Appetizers, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings
cips
Ingredients
Gourmet Girl Does Real Estate
Instructions
  1. Cut the top part of the stem off of the figs and dice.
  2. Place the figs in a large bowl with the sugar and mix. Set in the refrigerator for one hour.
  3. Place the fix and sugar mixture in a sauce pan and turn on medium to medium low heat.
  4. Add the zest of the 2 lemons along with their juice.
  5. Add the rest of the ingredients and cook for approximately 30 minutes or until the mixture thickens. Frequent stir until done.
  6. I personally like to keep the jam chunky, but if you wanted it more smooth you could put the jam in a food processor to puree if you wanted.
  7. Once done, you can store in mason jars and refrigerate. The jam should last like most other jams because of the acidity of the lemons and balsamic vinegar.
Recipe Notes

Ways to use my fig jam:

  • Serve with a cheese platter
  • Serve over ice cream
  • Serve on toast
  • Make PBJs
  • Baste over pork or lamb
  • Great gift idea in mason jars
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Appetizers, Desserts

Grilled Peaches Marinated in Chocolate Balsamic

July 12, 2017

Grilled Peaches with Buratta Cheese

Every year my husband and I go to Lake Arrowhead for the 4th of July weekend with our family.  My sister-n-law has a beautiful house there overlooking the lake.  We spend our time on the lake, but we also spend a fare amount of time cooking, eating, drinking and hanging out on the patio.

I love to experiment with new foods together, so I came up the this yummy appetizer where I grilled peaches marinated in chocolate balsamic vinegar.

Fresh Peaches

What can go wrong when you put fresh peaches in anything right?  I served the grilled peaches with buratta cheese and candied pecans with a small amount of honey drizzled on top.  I served it with some cranberry and pumpkin seed crackers, but you can pretty much serve this with any type of cracker and it would taste great!

I love buratta cheese because it’s creamer than traditional mozzarella cheese and it has a richer flavor.  If you have never tried it, I highly recommend it.  I use it a lot when I make my Caprese salad as well.

Buratta Cheese

You can find buratta cheese in most stores, but if you cannot find it traditional mozzarella would taste great with this too.  Or if you are feeling more adventurous you could also try ricotta cheese which I almost tried.  I will save that for another time.

Cranberry Crackers

These raincoast crisps are one of my favorite crackers.  This particular brand is harder to find, but you can usually find similar ones in most stores.

Print Recipe
 Grilled Peaches Marinated in Chocolate Balsamic
Grilled Peaches are good without anything added to them at all, so just imagine yummy chocolate balsamic on them!
Course Appetizers, Desserts, Sides
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Course Appetizers, Desserts, Sides
Cuisine American Food
Prep Time 15 Minutes
Cook Time 15 Minutes
Servings
People
Ingredients
Instructions
  1. Cut peaches in half and pit.
  2. Place peaches in a bowl and pour the chocolate balsamic over it and mix well. Let soak for about 10 minutes or so.
  3. When the grill is ready grill the peaches on medium heat for approximately 15 minutes. Make sure to check frequently so that they don't get too mushy.
  4. When the peaches are done, take off grill and place on a platter.
  5. Add the buratta cheese to the platter, and then drizzle the honey and add the candied pecans.
  6. You can add the crackers to the platter or put in a separate dish.
Recipe Notes

How to make your own candied pecans:

I have done them a few different ways using either regular refined white sugar, raw sugar and brown sugar.  I have also made them with and without butter.  If you don't use butter, using the refined sugar because it melts much better than brown sugar.  All you do is add the pecans in a skillet at medium heat and sprinkle whatever sugar you want to use in the pan (usually about a cup).  If you decide you want to use butter, add the butter first.  I usually use about a tablespoon of butter for a full bag of pecans.

 

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