Whether you’re a vegetarian, have vegetarian guests or simply love great veggies, these vegetable fries recipes are a welcome appetizer alternative to raw veggies and dip. Even if you aren’t a fan of fried food, these starters, created by two notable New York City chefs, Julian Medina and Alex Ureña, are succulent with international flavor. Fried food has never seemed so sophisticated! Now, when someone says, “Do you want fries with that?” we say, “Absolutely!”
Never underestimate the impact of a side salad—a tasty and low-calorie addition to your meal (just don’t pour on heavy, high-calorie dressing). Garnish fish and seafood plates with small, colorful salads for added color and flavor. Buy a mesclun mix with red oak-leaf lettuce and other colors and textures; or for pungent flavor, mix arugula, mustard greens, radish sprouts and radicchio. Dress the salads lightly with a vinaigrette before plating.
Savory or sweet, stuffed pretzels are a comforting snack.
There are certain categories in which “twisted” means good. Pretzels is one. Kim & Scott’s is twisted to the max: jumbo, soft, whole grain pretzels, stuffed with savory and sweet ingredients (we prefer the savory). The pretzels are sold frozen, ready to be baked or microwaved into rewarding treats—just like the original “pretiola.” The pretzels are handmade, all natural, vegetarian and made in a nut-free facility. Kim & Scott’s also makes non-stuffed pretzels and related products.
From Cheddar Jalapeño and Spinach Feta to Apple Cinnamon and Chocolate Crumb, see what we thought of all the savory and sweet varieties of Kim & Scott’s Stuffed Pretzels in the full review.
Check out THE NIBBLE’s Snacks Section for our favorite chips, popcorn, nuts and more.
It’s watermelon season for just a short while longer, so get out that cocktail shaker for some watermelon drinks! Combine one part vodka (or citrus vodka) to 1-1/2 parts puréed watermelon. Shake the ingredients with ice and strain into a chilled cocktail glass, garnished with a sprig of mint. For a quicker cocktail, we keep diced watermelon cubes in the freezer, then shake them with vodka. You can also try a variation with 1 part vodka and 1/2 part Dekuyper Pucker Watermelon Sweet and Sour Schnapps—handy during the months when fresh watermelon isn’t available (when it is, add crushed fresh fruit to the drink).
This week’s Gourmet Giveaway prize is an assorted brownie gift box from, B.T. Baking. Three winners will each receive a gift box with two of each of their brownies:
Chocolate Brownie (70% dark chocolate)
Peanut Butter Brownie (a chocolate brownie with peanut butter filling and a semi-sweet chocolate topping)
Cookie Brownie (a layer of chocolate chip cookie dough baked on top of a brownie).
A NIBBLE Top Pick Of The Week, these top-quality brownies are truly moist and fudgy. Check out our review of B.T. Baking brownies
