THE NIBBLE BLOG: Products, Recipes & Trends In Specialty Foods


Also visit our main website, TheNibble.com.

JULY 4TH FOOD: Elegant Tomato And Mozzarella Skewers With Grapes & Olives

July 3, 2011 at 7:28 am · Filed under Appetizers-Hors d’Oeuvre, Cheese-Yogurt-Dairy, July 4th/Independence Day, Recipes

As long as the grill is fired, here’s a tasty appetizer that goes great with drinks: Mediterranean Grilled Mozzarella Skewers with tomatoes, kalamata olives and caperberries.

The recipe was created by Chef James Campbell Caruso for EatWisconsinCheese.com. It makes six skewers.

For July 4th, use red grape tomatoes, red grapes and/or purple olives.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons Spanish sherry vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • 12 fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls (1/3 ounce each)
  • 12 seedless red grapes
  • 12 pitted kalamata olives
  • 12 cherry tomatoes
  • 12 large caperberries
  • 6 (8-inch) to 12 (6-inch) skewers
    		•   
    Photo courtesy EatWisconsinCheese.com.
     
    Preparation
    1. In a large bowl, mix the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, oregano, pepper flakes and garlic. Add the remaining ingredients; toss well to coat. Refrigerate for 2 hours to marinate.
    2. Heat a gas or charcoal grill to medium.
    3. For 8-inch skewers, thread 1 mozzarella ball, 1 grape, 1 olive, 1 tomato and 1 caperberry on each skewer; repeat so you have two of each item on each skewer. For 6-inch skewers, thread 1 of each item, in the same order.
    4. Grill the skewers on all sides for 5 to 7 minutes or until the cheese is soft and the skewers are thoroughly heated. Serve the skewers as a tapa or side to grilled meat.

    Find more cheese recipes in our Cheese Section.
      

    Comments off

    TIP OF THE DAY: Pancake Topping Recipe

    July 2, 2011 at 7:54 am · Filed under Breakfast & Brunch, Recipes, Tip Of The Day


    Who needs maple syrup? Grab the jam jar. Photo by Daniel Gilbey | IST.

    		   Want pancakes but are out of syrup?

    Grab a jar of jam, jelly or preserves.

    Scoop jam into a bowl and whisk with enough hot water to create the consistency you want.

    If it’s an adults-only event, add a teaspoon or more of Grand Marnier or fruit liqueur. You can combine flavors; for example, orange liqueur with strawberry jam.

    Or, you can use the jam for stuffed pancakes. Make large, thin pancakes or crepes that can be filled with jam and folded in half, as in the photo.

    Recipes for pancakes, waffles and French Toast.

    Whole grain pancakes are nutritious and good for you. See our reviews of the best whole grain pancake brands.

     

      

    Comments off

    JULY 4th FOOD: Red, White & Blue Colored Popcorn

    July 2, 2011 at 7:29 am · Filed under July 4th/Independence Day, Recipes, Snacks

    Here’s a treat that you can make in any theme colors—just as long as the colors are available as flavored gelatins.

    For a red, white and blue display, use JELL-O Berry Blue plus any of the red flavors (there are seven, from Raspberry to Watermelon).

    You can use standard, pale yellow corn as your white layer, or look for white corn kernels to pop. The colored layers are sweet; the plain popcorn can provide a salty counterpoint.

    Layer the colored popcorn in a clear bowl, or fill individual bowls.

    Yield: about 16 cups
    Prep Time: 10 Minutes
    Cook Time: 20 Minutes

    Ingredients Per Color

  • 12 cups popped popcorn
  • 1 can (14 ounces) Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk
  • 1 package (3 ounces) flavored gelatin
    		•   
    Color popcorn for any occasion—from fall colors above to red, white and blue. Photo
    and recipe courtesy Eagle Brand.
     
    Preparation
    1. HEAT the oven to 300°F. Line a large shallow roasting pan with heavy foil, extending the foil over the edges of pan. Butter the foil.

    2. REMOVE all the unpopped popcorn kernels. Pour the popcorn into prepared pan. Keep warm in oven.

    3. COMBINE the sweetened condensed milk and the dry gelatin in medium saucepan. Heat and stir over low heat until the mixture is slightly thickened and bubbly, 4 to 5 minutes.

    4. POUR the mixture over the popcorn. Stir gently to coat, using a long-handled wooden spoon.

    5. BAKE for 20 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes. Carefully turn out onto another large piece of lightly buttered foil. Cool. Break into pieces or clusters.

    6. REPEAT the process to create the second layer of colored popcorn.

    7. LAYER the blue, white and red popcorn in a clear bowl.
     
     
    More flavored popcorn recipes.
     
     
    For gourmet popcorn gifts, we love 479° Popcorn, in flavors such as Black Truffle + White Cheddar, Chipotle Caramel + Almonds, Fleur de Sel Caramel, Ginger Sesame Caramel, Madras Curry Coconut + Cashews and more.
      

    Comments off



    © Copyright 2005-2026 Lifestyle Direct, Inc. All rights reserved. All images are copyrighted to their respective owners.