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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

Butter Dipped Radishes

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

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!

Do you like leeks? Have you tried leeks? What feels like a thousand years ago, but was sometime in the last decade, I tried leek for the first time because it arrived in my CSA box. I had never had a leek in anything and had no idea what to do with the long white/green vegetable. Which part was edible? What do you do with it! Thankfully the internet came in with a win that day and I created a delicious leek and potato soup utilizing mostly the white part of the leek and just a little bit of the greens.

That experience began my love affair with leeks. I typically crave these mild onion-like veggies in the spring. When I saw that I could order them in my Imperfect Produce box I quickly put them in along with some wonderful shitake mushrooms. I knew I just had to put these two flavors together for a fun bite-sized appetizer.

This post is in partnership with Imperfect Produce. All opinions are my own. Imperfect Produce is a delivery company that sources “ugly” produce straight from the farm and delivers it to your door at 30-50% less than grocery store prices.

Mushroom and Leeks Tartlets

Mushroom and Leeks Tartlets

This recipe makes 15 mini-tartlets.

Ingredients:

  • Athens Mini Fillo Shells (find in many grocery stores’ freezer sections near pie crusts)
  • 1 cup sliced leeks (mostly the white part of the leek, a little of the green is fine.)
  • 1 cup diced shitake mushrooms
  • olive oil (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • Goats Cheese (to taste…I used about 3 tablespoons)
  • Salt & Pepper

Directions: 

  1. Saute the mushrooms, leeks, and onions in olive oil until reduced and slightly browned. About 5 minutes.
  2. Put a small amount of goats cheese in each Fillo Shell. Top with mushroom and leek mixture. Then top with a little more goats cheese.
  3. Pop in an oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes or until goats cheese is slightly melted.
  4. Serve warm or at room temp.

 

Rain or shine, I’m excited about Spring, especially when I get to use it as an excuse to have a dinner party. I partnered with Macy’s Backstage, Macy’s new off-price store within their department store, to redesign space and celebrate spring. We were challenged to create a new space using $200 or less! Challenge accepted. See more from this party and what other bloggers have done with their challenge by searching #MacysBackstage on your favorite social media platform.

Spring Dinner Party featuring Macy’s Backstage

If you’ve ever put together a tablescape then you know that things can add up. Plates, centerpieces, glassware, dinnerware, linens.. the list goes on and on. I have always been an advocate of purchasing good quality, neutral items that can be used in almost any situation. However, every now and again, you want to spruce things up a bit! I wanted to really create a lovely Spring-inspired dining area with my challenge from Macy’s Backstage.

Utilize loved finds in new ways

I had so much fun going through the home decor section of Macy’s Backstage. I really enjoy finding things that can be multi-use items. For this spring dinner party, I knew that while I wanted a spring-like feel I also didn’t want to have to store items that I could only bring out really for the spring and summer. I found really amazing deals on beautiful pots that worked great in my dinner party as a vase, wine cooler, and candle holder… but, I’ll also be able to house some fresh herbs in them or succulents. The large blue pot that is holding the flowers was seriously only $8! AMAZING prices. Oh, and that tablecloth? Yea, it was $15.

Did I meet the challenge?

For sure! Some of the table items/ glassware were ones that I already owned, but I still would have been able to meet the challenge had I supplied everything from Macy’s Backstage. I was also able to get some fun spring attire to wear at my spring dinner party. Check out my total:

Purchased:

  • 2 Pairs of Jeans (they have clothing all the way from babies to plus size!)
  • 3 tops
  • 1 hat (so many fun accessories there as well!)
  • 1 tablecloth
  • 3 pots
  • 1 hurricane candle holder
  • candles (a few!)
  • Water dispenser (pictured below… I’m in love.)
  • Serving Dish

All of that cost me $179 at Macy’s Backstage.

Macy’s Backstage Grand Opening

The Portland location for this new concept from Macy’s is located at the Llyod Center Mall. It is celebrating the grand opening on April 14th starting at 10 AM. The first 200 shoppers get a scratch-off card worth anywhere from $5 to $25 off of their Backstage purchase. Not in Portland? Macy’s Backstage is opening up across the nation in different locations. Check here to find the Macy’s Backstage near you.

More about Macy’s Backstage: The Macy’s Backstage concept was created specifically for the stylish yet cost-conscious shopper. The space features home decor, gifts, entertaining ware, kitchen goods, toys, shoes, children attire, youth attire, men’s attire, women’s attire, plus-size women’s attire, accessories, beauty products, and more.

Giveaway

Macy’s Backstage is offering one of my readers a $100 gift card. I’m giving it away over on my Instagram. Hop on over to enter to win. Giveaway ends on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 11:59 PM. I’ll message the winner on Monday, April 16th.

Happy shopping!