I am calling this post "Appies 101" because these little morsels are embarassingly simple to make. Gosh they are sure are pretty though, eh?
If you can hollow out stuff and stuff bits of stuff into other stuff, you can make these. I am not writing them up as proper recipes, it's really not necessary as you'll see. Exact amounts are not needed; what IS needed is patience for all the mini stuffing, and self-control not to eat them all up as you go!
Caprese Bites
So named because they are basically a one-bite caprese salad. Just cut the tops off of a bunch of cherry tomatoes and hollow them out. Season with a little salt and pepper, then stuff in a basil leaf and a pearl bocconcini. Drizzle with good olive oil and balsamic vinegar (I used a dropper to get just a drop on each). Repeat for as many times as you can stand; these little guys will be VERY popular and go fast!
Cucumber Cups Stuffed with Herbed Cream Cheese
Cut an English cucumber into 1.5" slices. Using a melon baller, hollow each one out, removing the seeds but not all the way through (leave a "bottom" on them). Mix together cream cheese, chopped fresh dill, chives, parsley (whatever you've got as long as it includes dill, dill is KEY here), and a smidge of minced garlic, dehydrated onion or onion powder, salt and pepper. If you can let the mix sit in the fridge overnight, even better. Just before serving time, stuff a teaspoon or so into each cucumber cup, and garnish with a sprig of dill.
These were such fab appies for Book Club! Thank you so much for making them!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower of your cooking. I myself have been trying to lose weight for about 8 years, I'm 18 right now. Diet after failed diet I just realized that eating right and exercising is my key, because everything else has inevitably caused a health problem. But enough of that. I absolutely love these little appies! They look so fresh and delicious!
ReplyDeleteThanks, they were fun to make!
ReplyDeleteRana, I know just where you are coming from, and you a lucky to have figured out at 18 what it took me until twice your age. We CAN eat well and maintain a healthy weight, or in my case get to one...with just some creativity in the kitchen and making a healthy diet part of an overall healthy lifestyle. I have so much fun coming up with new recipes that are both healthy and delicious!