My food related memories of the '60s also include cocktail parties, where my parents and their friends consumed mysterious drink concoctions with enticing names like "manhattan" or "rob roy." I loved these parties because I could sneak in unnoticed and help myself to "pigs in a blanket" or other form of cocktail frank, deviled eggs, spinach balls, onion dip, stuffed m...

What is tapas? - Where did it originate? - What does the word tapas mean? This article was sent to me from Steve and Carole at Proper-Spanish-Tapas.com. Their web site is dedicated to describing the history of this famous Spanish cuisine and provide recipes, ingredients, cooking methods and lore. If you are interested in learning more about Tapas, this is a great sta...

My food related memories of the '60s also include cocktail parties, where my parents and their friends consumed mysterious drink concoctions with enticing names like "Manhattan" or "Rob Roy." I loved these parties because I could sneak in unnoticed and help myself to "pigs in a blanket" or some other form of cocktail frank, deviled eggs, spinach balls, onion dip, stuf...

"Beans and tortillas. Soulfood from the gods. This is one you think about for days until you remember to soak the beans the night before. Pinto beans covered in water, 2 sprigs of green onions, one half bun of garlic and low slow heat. Salsa to be made and tortillas to roll out. Ice cold Extra Coronas served in the bottle with lime. Dinner will be early tonight." Enj...

This recipe was sent to me from Chef Enedina Andrews of The Clandestine Chef Experience out of Denver, Colorado. I interviewed Chef Andrews as part of my Novice2Pro Chef Interviews. This is one of her favorite recipes.

Very simple to make but very elegant, brie en croute is one of my "go-to" appetizers for special occasions such as a romantic Valentine's meal. This version uses store-bought puff pastry and apricot jam. You can use any jam or preserve of your choice.

These hot wings are very similar to the original Buffalo-style hot wings. These differ in that, after tossing in the sauce, you bake them. This reduces the sauce to a glaze and intensifies the flavor. Paired with homemade blue cheese dressing, this is a real winner for a tailgate party. Or any party.

Classic chicken liver pate flavored with rosemary, sage and truffle. Rich and flavorful, it is perfect for a dinner party appetizer. You will most likely convert even the most diehard liver haters with this recipe.

These Chinese dumplings made with ground pork and shrimp are sure to please. And the dipping sauce is simply addictive.

Crisp and airy, these gougeres are simple flavored with Swiss cheese. They are the perfect bite to serve before dinner, maybe with a glass of champagne.

Part of a classic Italian antipasto course, Crostini Tosani are thin, crisp toasts liberally slathered in chicken liver pate. If you think you don't like liver, this dish will make you change your mind. It certainly changed mine.

Making deviled eggs couldn't be easier and I have found when we make them for parties at our house or bring them to a friends, they are usually the first to go. There's something about these ageless appetizers that make them a hit at every occasion. My wife Meg is the deviled egg maker in our family although the girls are getting quite proficient after years of helpi...

Making these dumplings was a great family cooking experience and the dumplings are easily the best I've ever eaten: as good as Susanna Foo's.

When you are looking for a really quick and easy appetizer, make these ahead of time and freeze them for those times when unexpected guests show up. This recipe comes from my good friend Margie who taught me a lot of what I know about cooking when I lived in New York City. She is a very talented home cook. These freeze well, so make a double batch & keep on hand...

Party Time Hors d'oeuvres By Contributing Writer: Mark R. Vogel Whether you call them appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, canapés, amuse-bouches, or amuse-gueules, they are the scrumptious little morsels served before the start of a full course meal. They can vary from simple presentations such as cheese and crackers to complex preparations with exquisite ingredients requi...

Hors d'oeuvres should be small, one or two bites. They should be flavorful and well seasoned, but not overpowering to shut down taste buds. They should also be visually attractive and compliment the meal to follow, or other hors d'oeuvres to be served.

Another appetizer my sister-in-law whipped up last weekend for our family gathering involved steaming mussels in some white wine and topping them with a simple salsa made with corn, tomato, and a few other ingredients. They were a real treat, easy to prepare and a huge success.

Just in Time For Spring - Baked Pork Spring Rolls Finally, the days are starting to get longer. And while many people don’t like the artificiality of Daylight Savings Time, I appreciate that Ben Franklin came up with it. Having more daylight in the afternoons and evenings is invigorating, and I tend not to feel rushed since we’re not eating dinner in the dark. W...

It's pumpkin carving time and we all know what we get when we carve pumpkins with the kids? No, not a big mess. Pumpkin Seeds! Don't throw them out. Here's how to make a delicious and nutritious snack with those slippery little seeds.

There is something about meat, particularly red meat, and hot peppers that I find irresistibly enticing. Turn those flavors into meatballs swimming in a spicy beer-based sauce, and I'm completely sold.

Summer rolls are a type of Vietnamese spring roll. They are made from rice paper wrappers and are not fried. They are served cold and as the name implies, are a warm weather favorite. While the fillings can still be diverse, they tend toward the vegetable realm and often contain thin rice or mung bean noodles.