Appetizers Archives – Page 3 of 12

Butter Dipped Radishes

March 23, 2024 1 Comment A Well Crafted Pantry

This is another non-recipe recipe that my blog is likely famous for. (My blog is not famous… maybe because I have non-recipe recipes.) But, what can I say? I like SIMPLE and DELICIOUS and EYE-CATCHING for my home entertaining. So, these Butter Dipped Radishes are perfect for your next Spring potluck, Easter brunch, or afternoon snack.

The most complicated thing about this recipe is getting the butter to the right consistency. I over-melted my butter at least three times. But, between the fridge and the microwave, I eventually got it. You want your butter to be melted enough that you can DIP your radishes in the butter and it will coat the radishes in its buttery-goodness, but not so melted that it basically falls right off. The time I got it completely right with JUST the melting, I put my butter in the microwave at half power for 15 seconds, stirred, and continued to doing that until it was correct. However, the time I over melted it and put it in my fridge and checked on it and stirred until it hit the right consistency? It dipped just as well!

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You can dipped a couple of times if your butter isn’t quite right. In the end, you want a good layer of semi-solid butter before you add salt. If you add it to too-melted butter it will incorporate into the liquid and still be delicious, but lack the desired visual effect.

In elevating this simple appetizer I used a high quality non-salted butter and a Maldon flaky salt.* What kind of butter? Tillamook, of course.

The other, semi-controversial part to this appetizer comes down to the greens. You can absolutely trim ALL the greens off this appetizer. Radishes and butter are delectibe. Period. However, I like the nod to Spring that the greens give. I trimmed the greens down and tried to pick out any droopy ones before serving. These serve as a handle for those who are noshing as they go, but also don’t interfere or look dirty.

Butter Dipped Radishes

Jenni

A simple Spring appetizer that is eye-catching, delicious, and EASY.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

1 Bunch Radishes
1 Stick Unsalted Butter
2 tbsp Maldon Sea Salt

Instructions

Clean your radishes and trim off the bottom to make a flat bottom to stand on end.
Trim greens so there are enough to grab, but not so much that they droop into your finished radish.
Very slowly melt the butter in the microwave. Use the lower power settings. Your goal in melting the butter is not a transparent yellow, but rather a muddy white. If you over-melt your butter, put it in the fridge to firm a bit and stir/melt until you get the right consistency. You want it a dipping consistency, but not so thin that it runs right off the radish.
Dip the clean, dry radish into the partially melted butter. You can dip a couple of times if you feel that the coating isn't good enough.
Sprinkle with Maldon Sea Salt
Put in fridge to firm up
Plate and serve!

Keyword appetizer, butter, radish, salt, spring

Let me know if you try this appetizer! I’d love to know what you or your guests thought of it!

A Well Crafted Pantry

Easy Holiday Party Appetizer: Cranberry Prosciutto Goat Cheese Bites

December 30, 2023 No Comments A Well Crafted Pantry

Are you hosting a holiday gathering this year and need a simple holiday appetizer to drive home the flavors of the season, while not taking forever to make? These Prosciutto, Spiced Cranberry, and Goat Cheese Bites take little time to put together and are the perfect holiday bite. These are a perfect QUICK appetizer to make for your New Year’s Eve get-together or any winter event.

First off… DO NOT USE STORE BOUGHT CRANBERRY SAUCE. Okay, fine, if you have to… you can use store bought, just avoid the cranberry sauce that retains the shape of the can. Use something with discernible berries. I do highly recommend taking the time to make the spiced cranberry sauce as it will give just a bit more depth of flavor and holiday flare than store bought. (I created my spiced cranberry sauce while making my spiced cranberry simple syrup by straining the berries from the syrup.)

Second… crisp your prosciutto. It makes a word of difference. While you can absolutely do this with prosciutto straight out of the package, the crispy, salty goodness that comes from taking the time to throw that prosciutto in a pan or airfryer will add to this recipe. You can sub bacon if that is more readily available, but I’d recommend a thin sliced bacon so that it doesn’t overpower the dish.

Cranberry, Prosciutto, Goat Cheese Bites

This is more of an assembly than a recipe.

Ingredients:

1 Log of Goat Cheese – I used a plain goat cheese, however a honey goat cheese would be lovely in this.
Approximately 16 oz of Cranberry sauce of choice. The spiced cranberry sauce linked above worked really well with this as it had wonderful notes of cinnamon. However, a traditional cranberry sauce or even my pomegranate apple cranberry sauce would make for a fun addition.
4-6 slices of Prosciutto crisped up in a pan and broken into smaller portions.
1 Box of Fig and Olive Crackers (or a cracker of choice)
Fresh thyme for garnish.

Directions:

Take a cracker and top it with cranberry sauce and a spoonful of goat cheese. Top with crispy prosciutto. Sprinkle fresh thyme leaves on finished bites for a pretty and tasty garnish.

A Well Crafted Pantry

Favorite Holiday Appetizers

December 3, 2019 1 Comment A Well Crafted Pantry

It is party season! This year I am dealing with feeling overwhelmed and excited for what the holidays are going to bring. Due to the late Thanksgiving our normal routine for holiday decor, parties, and fun are being thrown up in the air a bit. I’m catching what I can and letting the rest fall aside. Okay, metaphor over… you get the idea though!

So, whether you are hosting a gift-wrapping get-together with friends or an elegant holiday party… you’re going to want something to feed your guests. Explore some of the blog’s most popular holiday appetizers below.

Ginger snap cookies make this appetizer even more delish!

Apricot & Honey Goat Cheese Balls

Goat cheese mixed with honey, apricots, and (optional) almonds is rolled into balls and served on top of ginger snap cookies with a drizzle of honey for this quick Apricot & Honey Goat Cheese Balls appetizer. You can also make this into a log or larger ball and serve on a platter with cookies for an even easier display!

This appetizer is ready to travel! Add in the final touches right before serving.

Caprese Wreath Appetizer

Appetizers for parties often end up being pretty rich and heavy. I always try to serve salad of some sort along with a crudites platter. This Caprese Wreath Appetizer is a good bridge for both and is a fantastic thing to bring to another person’s house!

You don’t have to bring serving utensils (or hope your guests have them) and it travels great! Simply prep everything and wrap in plastic. Add in olive oil and balsamic vinegar after you get to your location and you are done!

Holiday Grazing Table

This picture is from one of my first forays into creating a grazing table rather than just a platter of meat, cheese, crudites, and fruit. I’ve improved since on the display, but I still love this because it was just as impressive in person as I hoped it would be. Our guests LOVED it.

Blinis with Creme Fraiche and Caviar

I have a slight obsession with caviar during the holiday season. I love it so much. It feels so decadent! Often expensive, it is nice to use caviar as almost a garnish for your appetizers rather than the main event. Blinis with Creme Fraiche and Caviar is one way to wow your guests without entirely wiping out your bank. Another way is whipping up a batch of my favorite creme fraiche and chive dip with caviar and serving it with kettle chips!

Scallops and bacon with fig spread make for a festive appetizer or dinner option.

Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Fig Spread

Figs, bacon, and scallops are rich and wonderful each on there own, but even better together. Use this Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Fig Spread recipe as single bites of heaven or serve on skewers for a more hearty appetizer.

Oysters with Tabasco Shaved Ice

I obviously like seafood over the holidays. My favorite recipes seem to have all types of delicacies from the sea. I know Oysters are not for everyone, but for those who this does appeal to… take your oysters to the next level with flavored granitas or shaved ices. Whether it is a Tabasco Shaved Ice or Champagne Granita your guests will be in awe.

If you love a good round-up of recipes then for sure jump on over to a previous post with some more delicious holiday appetizers. These were recipes created by friends of mine that are sure to make your holiday party extra special.

What is your favorite go-to appetizer for a holiday party? Share in the comments below!

Photo creds: Two amazing professional photographers are featured above: Mary Boyden (oysters and the featured image of the holiday party scene) and Macey Snelson (blinis). In addition the bloggers that contributed recipes to the holiday appetizer round up are linked within that post. Go check it out!