Appetizers

December 12, 2007 8:45 AM

Need an appetizer that can be made ahead and reheated on short notice - smallish, only feeding 6. Only trick is, it can't contain tomatoes, strawberries, shrimp or fish, or cheese in deference to our hostess' diet.

Don't want leftovers as I'll be out of town right afterwards and there will be no one to eat them

posted by chickaboo to food & drink (11 comments total)

hummus and carrots.
posted by sulaine at 8:52 AM on December 12, 2007

Chicken satay and peanut sauce!
posted by brain cloud at 8:52 AM on December 12, 2007

- 2.2 pounds red bell peppers, about 5 medium-large ones, firm and unwrinkled
- 1 1/3 cups walnut halves
- 1 cup shelled cashews (unsalted)
- 2 teaspoons whole cumin seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked salt (or regular salt + smoked paprika)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground chile powder or more, to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled, germ removed if any
- 2 teaspoons walnut or olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses (substitute balsamic vinegar)

Makes about 2 cups (the recipe can be halved, but it freezes so well I don't see why you would); best made a day ahead.

Roast, peel, and deseed the bell peppers using your favorite method. Let cool completely.

Toast the walnuts, cashews, and cumin seeds in a dry skillet until fragrant. Let cool.
In the bowl of a food processor or blender, combine the flesh of the bell peppers with the rest of the ingredients, from walnuts to pomegranate molasses, and purée until smooth, scraping the sides of the bowl regularly. Taste, adjust the seasoning, and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with fresh pitas, lavash, or baguette or veggies.

Freezes well.
posted by crush-onastick at 9:00 AM on December 12, 2007 [3 favorites has favorites]

Devilled Eggs?
posted by Steven C. Den Beste at 9:16 AM on December 12, 2007

Spinach dip and some good crackers - fast and easy, and you can make as much (or as little) as you need.
posted by jquinby at 9:17 AM on December 12, 2007

prosscuitto & melon?
or honey roasted figs with proscuitto?
or little you-bake-em grocery store crescent rolls with a dab of jam inside?
posted by twistofrhyme at 9:21 AM on December 12, 2007

Pakoras with Raita! NOM.

Potstickers, spring rolls (fresh or fried), or other dim sum would be great.

A nice assortment of olives, pickled veggies, hummus, babganouj, olive oil and good bread or pita is delicious.

7-layer dip w/o cheese? Guacamole, Beans, Salsa, Sour Cream, Black Olives, Green Onions... Basically just make a nacho toppins parfait and serve with chips.
posted by Ambrosia Voyeur at 9:40 AM on December 12, 2007

Rumaki!
posted by GarageWine at 9:45 AM on December 12, 2007

Bruschetta?
posted by exceptinsects at 10:57 AM on December 12, 2007

That is, the roasted garlic one on that page, not the tomato one.
posted by exceptinsects at 11:00 AM on December 12, 2007

Pitted dates wrapped in bacon. Pop in the oven until bacon is crisp and serve warm.
posted by Faithos at 12:30 PM on December 12, 2007