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Appetizers and Dips
Fried Flowers
I remember the first time I had a caper. It was a very long time ago and with the logic of a child, since it reminded me of a peppercorn, I fully expected to find a similar, spicy flavor. Instead I was greeted with the salty-sour flavor of brine, a relief in comparison to my fear of spicy food at the time. I now know that this flavor was due to the fact that the capers were ...
Remoulade Dressing
Thousand Island, period. That was the dressing of choice according to the ruler of the roost in my childhood home. Fortunately, we technically did have other options but I learned quickly that if there is a "type" of dressing that the men in the South seemed fond of, the odds were that it would be Thousand Island. This is ironic given the supposed Canadian origin of Thousand ...
Oysters and Pearls
Oysters are fascinating. As Jonathan Swift is credited with stating, "It is a bold man that first ate an oyster". I recently had the privilege of learning a little more about these bivalves as I spent a day with Deborah Keller, also known as OysterMom, on her oyster beds in Oyster Bay near Shell Point, FL. Our mutual friend Quincie Hamby had brought us together to plan a ...
Guacamole, it isn’t pretty
Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner. If you want a quick, simple dip that is perfect for the occasion, guacamole is your answer. Just a few ingredients are added to avocado to make this creamy, yummy dish. If you aren't familiar with avocados, these green fruits grow on trees and are actually large berries. There are many varieties available though the Hass is the most ...