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Freeper Lizma2 requested an appetizer thread last month; and since appetizers are one of my two favorite things to cook, I’m happy to oblige. I’ll repost some of my favorites and a new one I’ve found, and hopefully others will have contributions. This pastry 'Sunflower' - or 'Tarte Soleil' - is visually beautiful, but not that difficult to make. You can do it with a wide variety of fillings, and sweet or savory. Here’s a recipe from ‘Italian Food Forever’ http://www.italianfoodforever.com/2016/07/sunflower-spinach-puff-pastry-tartand from ‘Entertaining with Beth’, a video showing the technique: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIF-6CFsYxk****************************************************** A couple of decades ago, when chef Jean Georges...

Last week Pyongyang sent two rare Pungsans, Korean hunting dogs, to South Korean President Moon Jae-in, as a token of the growing friendship between the two countries. Named Songgang and Gomi, the dogs were transferred via the truce village at Panmunjom on the demilitarized zone (DMZ) between the Koreas on September 27, along with three kilos (6.6 lb) of food to help them adapt to their new home. According to the Blue House, Kim and his wife, Ri Sol Ju, suggested the gift to Moon at a dinner in Pyongyang during the South Korean leader's historic trip to North Korea...

I like meals made up of lots of different, little things – I’m a fan of ‘tasting menus’, buffet parties, and can make a restaurant meal of appetizers. An appetizer recipe that’s been a party hit for us, is this one for Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts in Chili Sauce: http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/bacon-water-chestnuts-50888.aspx^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ I think we originally found the recipe for these little Garlic and Mushroom Tartlets about 15 years ago – perhaps from the Sorrento site, or off the bag. Sorrento seems to have turned into Galbani (?) and I haven’t seen this garlic-flavored Mozzarella cheese lately. Sargento used to have a similar...

Especially at this time of year, I’m a fan of ‘finger food’ that can be made ahead, frozen, and ready in just minutes in the event of impromptu visitors. Nothing fits this bill better than the Gougere, a light savory ‘puff’ of cheesy pastry that goes wonderfully with cocktails and freezes very well. There are many variations on the Gougere, but this one is basic and classic: http://chezbonnefemme.com/recipes/gougeres/________________________________________________________ Last Thanksgiving, I took the advice of Freeper ‘boatbums’, and we dry-brined our turkey for the first time; it really was the best turkey we’ve had, even though we made the mistake...

Many of us often wind up with bits and pieces or 'ends' of leftover cheeses in the refrigerator. But there's an app for that! and I first learned this from one of Jacques Pepin's television cooking shows: 'Fromage Fort', or 'Strong Cheese', is a recipe that makes a spread out of the various bits of cheese you may have languishing in the fridge. There are lots of recipes for it, but here is a basic one; I usually have Cheddar, Swiss, Blue, and Jack hanging around; and I haven't found a combination that turns out badly, though you may want...

In last week's thread, V K Lee was thinking about Super Bowl food; and I think that's a good idea for our thread this week. I don't have a 'dog in the hunt' this year - in fact, I don't even follow football much, unless the Redskins or the Maryland Terrapins are getting hot. But I've decided on South Carolina for my annual bet with my husband - I have some ancestral connections there, and one of my favorite, football-obsessed co-workers wants to see a Panther win. So, I'm re-posting my favorite 'finger food', this week, along with some other...

'Cannibal sandwiches' sicken Wisconsin residents MILWAUKEE — "Cannibal sandwiches," an appetizer featuring raw, lean ground beef served on cocktail bread, may be a Wisconsin tradition, but they are not safe, health officials said, noting that more than a dozen people became ill after consuming them last holiday season. Health officials confirmed four cases tied to E. coli bacteria and 13 likely cases in people who ate the sandwiches at several gatherings late last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said a report issued this week. The meat came from a Watertown market that later recalled more than 2,500...

Ingredients: 1/2 lb. grated Swiss cheese 1/2 lb. grated Monterey Jack cheese 1/2 lb. grated sharp cheddar cheese 1 cup jalapenos, chopped and seeded 6 eggs 1 tsp. minced garlic 1/2 tsp. salt Directions:

Ingredients: 2 lbs. fresh mushrooms 3 tbsp. minced garlic 2 tbsp. chopped green onions 1 stick butter 2 cups seasoned stuffing mix 1 cup chicken broth Directions: Clean the mushrooms and remove stems.

OTTAWA (AFP) — A Chinese immigrant who stabbed, gutted and beheaded a fellow passenger on a bus traveling across Canada last week also cannibalized the victim and pocketed his nose, lips and ear, a court heard Tuesday. Vince Weiguang Li, 40, of Edmonton faces a second-degree murder charge in the horrific case. The victim has been identified by friends as Tim McLean, a young man of 22 years who was returning home to Winnipeg from a job as a carnival worker in Edmonton in Western Canada. In his second court appearance, Li was overheard saying "please kill me," his interim...