Big Game Cooking

I hear there is a BIG GAME this weekend, and I may be the only person in the USA who won’t be watching it. I can’t think of the last time I watched it, and I’m always a bit impressed with myself when I know what teams are playing. This year it has been almost impossible to ignore; I haven’t heard so many stupid jokes about balls ever. If you will be watching no doubt the main attraction will be the commercials and the food. In honor of super-eating I’m bringing all my greatest appetizer recipes together in one place.

Some are simple, none very difficult. I haven’t included a wing recipe (you’ll find those in abundance) or chili, just because I don’t make particularly great chili (I should probably work on that…).  I think appetizers are my favorite food, and you can turn all sorts of things into finger food.

If you like to fry get some wonton wrappers and fill them with a teaspoon of whatever filling you like, seal by brushing with some egg wash, and fry for 2-3 minutes. To seal the wontons, fold into a triangle, then bring the two long corners together and seal those. Some filling suggestions: a 1/2″ cube of mozzarella with a pimento stuffed olive, any meatball or meatloaf mixture, shredded cheddar and crumbled bacon with scallions, any type of sausage with a cube of smoked cheese. If you don’t want to fry these, brush mini muffin tins with oil, and press the wonton wrapper into the cup and fill, then fold edges over and seal with egg mixture. 

Puff pastry is another great way to make anything from prosciutto-Parmesan pinwheels, to filled turnovers. Use any of the above fillings. Roll your pastry out to 1/4″ thick, and cut into 3″squares, or use a biscuit cutter to cut them into 3″circles. Fill with a teaspoon of filling, seal with egg wash, crimp with a fork, or your fingers, then egg wash the tops and bake. To make pinwheels, roll out the dough as above, and brush with egg wash, then sprinkle with grated Parmesan, and a thin layer of proscuitto. Roll into a tight roll, making sure the edge is sealed well, and slice into 1/2″ rounds. Bake on silicon or parchment. 

Below you’ll find links to some actual recipes:

Shrimp toast, Empanadas, Samosas, Guacamole, Chinese beef curry turnovers, Mushroom turnovers, Stuffed mushrooms, deviled eggs

 

 

 

 

 

Whether you’re watching the game, or sitting this one out, who doesn’t love an excuse for an appetizer party?