Sunday Dinner

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Mini Fig and Blue Cheese Tarts

Roast Chicken

Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes

Bibb Lettuce Salad with Bacon and Croutons

Caramel Butterscotch Pudding

With the food train still rolling through the end of the holiday season, I thought I would post a recipe for the appetizer table.  These mini tarts pack a ton of flavor and are just the right size for someone whose other hand is occupied with a beverage at, say, a New Years party.  Savory blue cheese, sweet fig preserves and a nutty crunch all nestled in a flaky tart with a balsamic reduction drizzle is a winning combination of flavor and texture.  They pair nicely with a variety of wines and are substantial enough to provide a proper prelude to a main dish.  

Other bite-sized appetizers that you might enjoy...

Blue Cheese and Walnut Dusted Grapes

Blue Cheese Tart with Cranberry Chutney

Brie, Apricot, and Pistachio Phyllo Cups

Caramelized Onion and Apple Tassies

Clams Casino

Feta Cheese Truffles

Garlic Roasted Shrimp Cocktail

Goat Cheese Toasts with Garlic and Herbes de Provence

Goat Cheese Truffles

Gorgonzola Truffles

Italian Stuffed Mushrooms

Miniature Camembert, Walnut, and Cranberry Pastries

Pancetta and Parmesan Tassies

Pancetta Cups with Goat Cheese and Pear

Peppadew Peppers stuffed with Garlic, Feta, and Chives

Pepperoni and Asiago Pinwheels

Pomegranate Glazed Sausage Bits

Shrimp and Spanish Chorizo Bites

Smoked Salmon Deviled Eggs

Three-Cheese Mini Macs

Bourbon-Caramel Pumpkin Tart

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I couldn't share the basics of the sweet tart dough without sharing a delicious seasonal tart for the holiday table.  So in lieu of a Sunday dinner menu post, I am going to share the tart that we enjoyed last Sunday. And boy did we ever enjoy it.

The recipe called for a different crust baked in a spring-form pan.  It seemed rather cumbersome in my opinion, so I went with my gold standard.  The recipe also called for candied pumpkin seeds, but I fancy the flavor combo of pumpkin and walnut.  Pecans would be a nice alternative too.  The tart is pre-baked and then a thin layer of caramel is spread over the bottom of the crust.  The sweet pumpkin filling is poured and then baked until set.  Once cooled, the remaining caramel is spread evenly over the top creating three dreamy layers of sweet bliss.  Sprinkle the edges with the candied nuts and, well--move over pumpkin pie.  You are still really good, but there's a new dessert in town!

Sunday Dinner

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Miniature Camembert, Walnut and Cranberry Pastries

Beef Bourguignon

Parslied Potatoes

Simple Salad

Country Bread

Apple Galette

Caramel Sauce Cockaigne
Lightly Sweetened Whipped Crème Fraîche

When I pop one of these little beauties and begin to process the levels of texture and flavor, I get holiday food brain.  There are certain smells and tastes that just evoke the holiday season.  The combination of Camembert cheese, walnuts, dried cranberries, and a touch of fresh rosemary nestled between layers of flaky, buttery pastry certainly does some serious evoking.

One might think that these are time consuming and tedious to prepare, but they really aren't.  The pastry can be made and baked up to a day in advance and the rounds can be filled and kept at room temperature up to an hour before baking.  Warm them in the oven just as your guests arrive and serve them immediately with a sparkling beverage or even a hard cider for a nice pairing.

Sunday Dinner one year ago
Sunday Dinner two years ago

Spiced Apple Walnut Waffles

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I certainly couldn't share the homemade apple pie spice without sharing a delicious recipe.  This plate full of goodness (along with an 8:30 am soccer game) is one of those things that can get me out of bed early on a cool, crisp, fall weekend morning.  Apples, walnuts, cider, and a little bit of sugar make for a hearty and tasty forkful.  And speaking of hearty, the batter has some whole wheat flour, wheat germ, and grated apples in it.  So it's good for you too, right?!  

I served these waffles with caramelized brown sugar apples and an apple cider syrup (both recipes included below), but they can be served with a good maple syrup.  I have even combined an equal part mixture of maple syrup and caramel sauce for a decadent treat. One note-- these waffles are big, so serve the syrup of your choice on the side and drag each bite through the sugary pool.  They are best enjoyed warm off the waffle iron, but they can be cooled, wrapped well in plastic wrap, then toasted in a toaster until heated through.

Sunday Dinner

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Blue Cheese and Walnut Dusted Grapes

Rib-eye Roast with Garlic Herb Butter

Mashed Potatoes with Horseradish and Cream

French-Style Green Beans

Apple Galette 

Caramel Sauce Cockaigne

It's more food on a stick!  I like to think that these little appetizers are a notch higher on the taste sophistication scale than, say, a deep fried twinkie.  The toasted nuts, pungent blue cheese, and ripe red grapes are all seasonal foods that come together in an intriguing combination of flavors delivered in a fun, easy to eat package.

A few notes-- you may be tempted to eat them right away, but don't.  They are far tastier once set and well chilled.  You will also wind up with leftover nuts and cheese dip that can be combined and thinned with a little milk to dress a green salad.  Appetizer for dinner and salad for lunch?  Works for me☺.
Sunday Dinner one year ago