We’ve been cooking like crazy in the Test Kitchen and last week I really did not feel like making dinner (and, I couldn’t figure out what I wanted to eat either). So my husband and I went to one of our favorite local restaurants. At dinner, I still couldn’t make up my mind so I ended up ordering a couple of appetizers.
And that got me thinking. Why do we always need to come up with a big meal for dinner? Wouldn’t it be fun to do an “apps for dinner night” right at home?!
Dee Robinson’s Chicken Bites with Honey Mustard would be perfect for this and are bite-sized chicken yumminess. “The honey mustard sauce is great,” says Dee. The Kitchen Crew would agree with that. We couldn’t stop munching on these delicious chicken bites. When you make these, make sure to make plenty.
Not only are J White Harris’ Shanghai Lumpia yummy, but they can also be prepared in advance! “Lumpia is a hands down favorite treat for my family. It is a variation of egg roll from the Philippines,” explains J White. Once prepped, this is a quick and easy dish your family can munch on.
“I love Jalapeno Poppers but find them somewhat messy. I came up with these quick easy finger snacks [and] now my co-workers ask for them all the time,” says Dawn Cordova. I loved her Jalapeno Popper Roll-ups – great pops of flavor. Really how can you go wrong with crescent rolls, bacon and cream cheese! This one is a guaranteed people pleaser.
Didi Dalaba’s Tiropitakia are so savory, creamy and delicate. I do love most everything about phyllo dough, and this recipe did not disappoint me. “This a very old passed many generations down Greek recipe,” says Didi. “Whether you make larger pieces as a main dish, or smaller pieces as appetizers… you can rest assure, guests and family will completely devour your plate!” I know I did.
Devon Delaney’s Cowboy Pork Tenderloin on Texas Toast with Horseradish Ranch Sauce is a mouthful of flavor! “I love bold flavors to shine when I grill, so this represents the best of the west,” says Devon. The rub in this recipe is delicious. It blended so well with the flavors of tomato, blue cheese and horseradish. The Kitchen Crew couldn’t get enough of these!
I do like a little kick in my recipes, and Adriana Torres’ Flaky Chorizo Potato and Cheese Empanadas are perfectly spicy and 100% delicious! “Empanadas can be made in many different ways,” says Adriana. “Here, I skipped the sugar in the dough and prepared a savory chorizo and potato filling with cheese.” We love the combination of flavors and can’t wait to make this recipe again.
This week, put a twist on your traditional dinner and try one of these yummy appetizers. I’m sure your family will enjoy mixing things up a little.