Southwestern Crab Spring Rolls

it’s almost too depressing to mention football at this point; at least the ravens lost. that cushioned the blow a bit, but i would have preferred to see the colts lose.  anyway no matter who you’re rooting for this season, football games are great excuses for get togethers.  and sometimes you need a little more than chips and dip.  take a step up and try these…

Southwestern Crab Spring Rolls
3 tablespoons olive oil
6 cups (2 large) onions, thinly sliced
½ teaspoon salt
1 pound lump crab meat
¾ cup poblano peppers, roasted and chopped
1 cup corn
¼ cup cilantro
2 cups monterey jack cheese
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
rice paper

heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium low heat. add onions and salt, cook while stirring frequently until caramelized, 20 minutes, let cool. while the onions are cooking, combine all other ingredients in a large bowl and add cooled onions. mix well then assemble. serve with chipotle dipping sauce, recipe follows.

Chipotle Dipping Sauce
2 chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce, chopped
16 ounces sour cream
1 tablespoon lime juice

mix well together in a bowl.

tips

• if you can’t find poblano peppers use one small jalapeno pepper that is seeded and minced.
• when you are ready to roll your spring rolls you have to start by soaking a single sheet of rice paper in warm water.  the warm water will make the paper pliable.  then fold up like a burrito.
• the chipotle dipping sauce is also good with quesadillas, tacos, burritos, or chips.

Buff Chick Hot Wing Dip

on sunday there was hope…but in 4 and a half minutes all hope was virtually gone.  the patriots had little chance of coming back, but that didn’t stop us from eating our feelings.  my cousin made this dip which had all of us hooked.

Buff Chick Hot Wing Dip
Two 9.75-oz. (or 10-oz.) cans 98% fat-free chunk white chicken breast in water, drained
One 8-oz. tub fat-free cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Frank’s RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce
1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
1/4 cup fat-free ranch dressing
1/4 cup fat-free Greek yogurt

preheat oven to 350 degrees.

place cream cheese in a medium bowl and stir until smooth. mix in Frank’s RedHot, mozzarella cheese, ranch dressing, and yogurt. stir in chicken until thoroughly combined. spoon mixture evenly into a deep 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish.

bake in the oven for 20 minutes, or until mixture is heated through. stir well and enjoy!

makes 15 servings

i think this little dip was the silver lining.

Babagnoush

you might have heard of it from the movie wedding crashers, but now i give you an authentic recipe to actually make it yourself.  this appetizer is great for any cocktail party, so try this lebanese family favorite. 

Baba Ganoush
1 eggplant
1 ½ tbs garlic
½ tsp salt
3 tbs tahini
5 tbs lemon juice

remove  eggplant skin and prick with fork.  microwave the eggplant till cooked about 5 minutes then mash in a bowl.  then add garlic, salt, tahini and lemon juice, and mix together.  (if too thick add water)

tips

• baba ganoush should be the same consistency as hummous.
• tahini can be found in the international foods aisle or a specialty store.
• serve with a crudite, pita chips or pita bread.

Olive Oil Cheese Dip

with new years coming up i thought it would be fitting to share some favorite dips and appetizers.  the perfect party keeps dishes light, delicious, and finger friendly.  no one wants to sit down and eat a heavy full course meal with their martini (although that might be a safer bet).  this recipe comes from my favorite local chain.  i’m normally not a big fan of chain restaurants as they tend to recreate dishes that resemble food but are actually closer to cardboard.  not your average joes does it right…

Olive Oil Cheese Dip
¼ c pecorino romano cheese (substitute parmesan cheese)
1 tsp red pepper flakes
4 oz olive oil
½ tbs chopped garlic

mix it all together in a bowl and serve with focaccia bread.

tips

• focaccia bread is a type of italian flat bread that is usually topped with herbs like rosemary.  it can also have onions, cheese, or meat on top.
• pecorino cheese is a sheep’s milk cheese, and because it is hard and salty it can be interchangeable with parmesan cheese.