Appetizers A-C

Bring large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with coarse Kosher salt until it is salty as the sea (taste to make sure). Add Brussels Sprouts. Cook until firm but not al dente (about 10 min). Drain and put in bowl. Sprinkle with good olive oil and fish sauce to taste. Cool about…

Lightly flour baking sheet. Place puff pastry on sheet and roll out gently to remove fold lines (1/8″ thick). Place Brie in center & spread 1 pkg cheese over. Turn Brie over and spread on remaining cheese. Bring pastry up around sides and over top, wrapping completely. Trim off excess. Turn over and place seam side down. Cut out…

Stir together sugar, nuts, & whiskey or brandy. Cover and chill up to one week (or freeze up to 6 mo) Place cheese on round, oven-proof platter or 9″ pie plate. Bake @500 for 4-5 min. Sprinkle sugar mixture over top & bake 2-3 min more till sugar is melted and cheese is heated through but…

Beat blue cheese and butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add flour, poppy seeds, and red pepper, beating just until combined. Roll dough into 3/4-inch round balls; cover and chill 2 hours. Arrange balls on ungreased baking sheets, and press thumb into each ball of dough, leaving an indentation. Bake at…

For 1″ puffs: (about 55). Heat butter in 1 c water. Add flour sifted w salt all at once. Stir quickly w wooden spoon until paste comes away from side of pan. Remove from heat. Wait 2 min. Add eggs (at room temp), one at a time. When dough no longer looks slippery and a…

In large bowl w electric mixer beat together butter and blue cheese until smooth. In a bowl whisk together flour and cayenne and add to cheese mix, beating just until a dough is formed. Halve dough and chill, wrapped in plastic wrap, 30 min. Roll each half into a 1″ thick log. Spread poppy seeds…

Preheat oven to 350. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp, stirring often. Remove from skillet and drain. Add garlic to skillet and saute over low heat 1 min. Combine cream cheese and cream in food processor or mixer; blend until smooth. Stir in bacon, garlic, crumbled cheese and green onions (I pushed the blend button…

Peel beets w vegetable peeler, then slice paper thin w slicer, using stems as handles. Bring water and sugar to a boil in a 3-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Add beets, then remove pan from heat and let stand 15 min. Drain in colander, then let stand in colander 15 min more.…

Trim fat and rub meat w ginger. Wrap in plastic and freeze 1/2 hour to chill for easier slicing. Toast sesame seeds in skillet over medium heat, stirring until browned (5 min). Put steak on cutting board and slice in 1/4″ diagonal (on the bias) slices, trimming any fat as you go. Mix w sesame…

Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with foil; place oven-safe cooling rack on foil-lined baking sheet. Cut bacon into thirds, then thread bacon slices onto skewers diagonally (corner to corner). Place skewers on rack (wash hands). Combine syrup, coffee, and chipotle powder; whisk to blend. Divide mixture in half, then brush both sides of…