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Appetizers

Almond & Pineapple Gazpacho

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ALMOND & PINEAPPLE GAZPACHO

This summer, brighten your tastebuds with Almond & Pineapple Gazpacho! A fruity yet nutty cold soup also called gazpacho. This vegan soup will be all you’ll need to make an impression for your next summer feast! Almond & Pineapple Gazpacho is based on the original gazpacho recipe, “Ajo Blanco,” which contains almonds, garlic, bread and a bit of vinegar. The traditional one doesn’t have pineapple, but sometimes grapes are used. A traditional and ancestral Spanish recipe with a touch of fun pineapple! Gazpacho History Gazpacho existed way before tomatoes were imported into Europe from the New World. The Arabs imported them and later cultivated them in Spain. Back in the day, Spaniards used to make “cold soup” gazpacho with almonds and vinegar. They are quite a few excellent recipes using them in Spain. Often used in the “Picada” last aromatic touch at the end of cooking. Plus, it thickens sauces…

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Appetizers

Zucchini Carpaccio

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Carpaccio de zucchini

Highlighting the zucchini at its best! Zucchini Carpaccio is thin slices of zucchini complimented with cherry tomatoes, shaved parmesan and a drizzle of olive oil. Simply divine! I’ve first tried, Zucchini Carpaccio, not in Italy, but in Spain! In a small Catalan village called Montblanc, right next to Barcelona. Such a simple, elegant and delicate appetizer. I would never have imagined that raw zucchini could taste something… Was my first try at raw zucchini… and I’ve got pleasantly surprised! First of all, there is a really nice crunch to it and it’s got a super delicate taste that allows the extra-virgin olive oil to shine through. Cut Finely is the Secret It’s such a light and beautiful appetizer. All you’ll need is a mandoline or a talent to cut really fine slices. You would think the protagonist’s food here is the zucchini, but it’s also the olive oil! So bring out…

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Appetizers

Easy Shrimp Ceviche

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Shrimp ceviche

This Fast and Easy Shrimp Ceviche is a light and refreshing appetizer, great for any occasion. This quick version contains some fresh dill, tomatoes, avocado and red onions. Having gone through South and Central Americas… each country has their own version of ceviche. The ‘Fast and Easy Shrimp Ceviche’ recipe is a mix of them all. For instance, in Mexico, they make it quite spicy and usually contain avocados. In Peru, it’s a main dish, served with Choclo (big grain corn), and sweet potatoes. Usually, it’s lightly spiced with Aji or Rocoto hot peppers. In Colombia, the ceviche is often made with ketchup or tomato sauce which makes it red and served with fried plantain (Patacones). Finally, in Ecuador, the ceviches are like a soup, with an extra shrimp broth, lots of cilantro and barely spicy. They are also many variations; some with fish, shrimp, shellfish, and even shark meat (Trujillo, Peru). But in the end,…

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Appetizers

Duck Prosciutto Appetizer

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mini duck proscuitto date cheddar roll appetizers

Duck Prosciutto Appetizer with dates and aged cheddar to serve your guests a sweet and salty bite for the holiday season. The holiday season is coming, we’ll soon receive guests at home and/or vice versa. Here is a great idea to make your guests happy as a clam. A lovely plate of duck prosciutto appetizer rolled up around a dated piece and aged cheddar to open up those guests’ stomachs. Those little bites will go away in no time, guaranteed, so make sure to prepare enough of those little nibbles. This recipe is based on an appetizer my mom did last year, which was simply the duck prosciutto and the sharp cheddar with a drizzle of maple syrup. Back then, I really enjoyed it, it was delicious as it was but missing a little “je ne sais quoi”. I also experience the date and bacon mini rolls bites at an English friend’s place…

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Appetizers

German Cheese Spread

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German Cheese Spread

A traditional Camembert-based cheese spread Bavarians served with fresh Brezeln (Pretzel) called Obatzda. This german cheese spread is the perfect sidekick to a lovely Oktoberfest party! Prost! Obatzda is this creamy orange cheese spread they eat with fresh Brezel (pretzel) in every Bavarian Biergarten. The dip is mainly done with camembert cheese with a touch of butter, “quark” or cottage cheese. The orange colour is due to sweet paprika powder. You can have your Obatzda “Bavarian style” which is with a few extra caraway seeds and a touch of beer in it. I’ve seen so many variations of this spread; from horseradish, garlic, chives, and cloves to Romadur cheese. My own personal favourite and the one in this recipe is the traditional Obatzda with Quark (fresh cheese) and caraway seeds. If you live in a part of the world where the ingredient ‘Quark’ isn’t a “thing” you can substitute it…

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Appetizers

Easy Shrimp Tartare

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Shrimp Tartare

A simple shrimp tartare with a layer of avocado, lime marinated raw shrimps topped with lovely strawberry pieces. You’ll impress your guests with this one, and no cooking involved! Shrimp tartar is quite simple to make and taste simply divine, without saying it’s looks irresistible. The base of the dish is similar to a shrimp ceviche, simply needing to marinate the fresh shrimps in lime juice for a couple of hours. The bigger the size of the shrimp the longer you’ll need to marinate it. By definition, tartare means finely cut and served raw. Most of the time, beef or fish is used but today, will do a shrimp tartare for a change! I believe strawberries and avocados are a match made in heaven. First, their colours are the perfect contrast and appetizing and the creamy smooth avocado and the acidic and firm strawberry pair beautifully. Variations You can use this as a…

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