Appetizers

Let’s Get Spicy

March 3, 2018 // Posted in Dips & Sauces, Food I Made, Photo Journal, Recipes

March 3, 2018 | Posted in [post_category]

Since it’s a new year, I’m going to start making some changes around here, slowly, but surely. I’ve got a lot on my plate, I assure you it’s not as crunchable or delicious as the Trader Joe’s Quinoa & Black Bean Infused Tortilla chips seen in the above photo, so it could take a long time. Maybe I’ll take an entire year again? HOPEFULLY KIDDING. The Winter Games have been incredible to watch & as a former figure skater, they’re my favorite Olympics. Seeing the Scandinavian countries crush the slopes, but beaten by the French in skating & the Biathlon had my Boston fam & me on the edge of our $200 bargain Crate & Barrel couch. Incredible feats of skill & athleticism. I may not be pregnant, but I definitely know what kind of dreams I have for my future progeny: QUALIFY FOR THE OLYMPICS OR YOU’LL BRING GREAT DISHONOR TO OUR FAMILY. Just kidding, kind of.

So, even though the Olympics are over, the next time a major televised event happens & you feel like hosting a small or large group gathering around a large–or small, whatever, no judgement–screen of pixels, you can whip out your homemade tomatillo salsa, paired nicely with all the tortilla chips.

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A Healthier Crab Rangoon Recipe

August 20, 2015 // Posted in Appetizers, Food I Made, Gallery, Photo Journal, Recipes

August 20, 2015 | Posted in [post_category]

TiffanyBee.com | Baked Crab Rangoon Recipe

A few months ago during work, I couldn’t stop thinking about how my next meal would consist of crab rangoon & some other noodle-y dish. When I walked across the street to a Thai restaurant that I knew served crab rangoon, I was so excited to dip these deep fried stuffed wonton apps in some delicious sweet & sour sauce. As I walked out of the restaurant, I opened the take-out bag to pop one of these pyramidal pockets of goodness in my mouth, but to my great disappointment, they were more melted cream cheese than imitation crab. I continued to crave these for weeks until I decided I would just make them myself after my second disappointment, which was from my new go-to Thai delivery joint. What is with Boston’s inability to make some half-way decent crab rangoon?! Well, I take that back, there is one restaurant that is mediocre Asian food at its finest *cough* Teriyaki House *cough* & they make a pretty solid serving of crab rangoon.

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Shrimp Wontons & a Colombian Wedding

April 10, 2015 // Posted in Appetizers, Drinks I Drank, Food I Ate, Food I Made, Gallery, Photo Journal, Recipes, Travel

April 10, 2015 | Posted in [post_category]

Shrimp Wontons with Coconut Tom Yum Sauce

This January, I dedicated a post to a fallen foodie friend in which I mentioned I still dream about her. Last weekend while I sat reclined in my bed against my fluffy pillows, I found satisfaction in knowing I finally finished posting a new recipe for Shrimp Wontons with Coconut Tom Yum Sauce. My former LA roommate, fellow Bruin, & friend Gabriela sat next to me in her pajamas, looking through New York’s live SnapChats. It was Gaby’s first time in Boston & we were planning our next foodie destinations. Without a story to write, I decided to put off writing a blog to accompany the recipe, hit the lights, & went to bed. I dreamt that Gaby & I were riding the MBTA throughout Boston except the T was an outdoors roller coaster. When we got off at our destination, we were greeted by Kim, my friend who passed away more than a year ago. It took me a moment to register that she’s no longer with us, which meant I was dreaming so I quickly hugged her & we were off on some adventures at what seemed like a strange amusement park. I awoke to a foggy recollection of the warmth of her embrace, the smoothness of her skin, & the echo of her laughter in my head.

These shrimp wontons are special because they were inspired by 7 Seas Restaurant, which hosted one of Kim’s memorials. I ate a lot of things that day I can’t remember, but those wontons were unforgettable & it made me wish Kim could still be around to taste it. Josh, Vy, & I inhaled this place of delicious shrimp wontons, but I was determined to remake the recipe. 7 Seas is now closed, but if I can revive one thing about that place, it’s those wontons. This recipe is also dedicated to Annie Kim Pham, who loved her shellfish, wontons, & cheese. It’s funny that even after her passing, we still find ourselves meeting at places with good food. Although she couldn’t be there physically with us, we were there because of her. I wish the circumstances of trying these wontons for the first time were different though.

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Couscous Winter (Yes, It’s Still Winter) Salad

March 5, 2015 // Posted in Appetizers, Food I Made, Photo Journal, Recipes

March 5, 2015 | Posted in [post_category]

Spring is just around the corner & that means a truckload full of seasonal spring vegetables are coming to grocery store near you! What can you expect in the spring? Apricots, asparagus, artichokes, endive, honeydew, lychee, mango, & so much more! I’m really excited for the new season–not only will there be less snow walls to climb, but more delicious recipes to be made! But, let’s not get carried away because it’s still winter in Boston, so let’s embrace a winter salad. Why would you eat a salad during the winter? Well, I guess you’d have to be craving it, eating healthy, have a really heated house, or because your salad is no ordinary salad, it’s a couscous salad. Yeah, it’s cold still, but it’s not just a bowl of leafy greens (that’s not a bad thing either).

See more photos & a link to the recipe after the jump!

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Game Day Ready: Recipes for Anxious Snackers

January 26, 2015 // Posted in Appetizers, Dips & Sauces, Entrées, Food I Made, Photo Journal, Recipes

January 26, 2015 | Posted in [post_category]

Gearing up your household for GameDay? This year’s Super Bowl XLIX featuring the New England Patriots vs. the Seattle Seahawks is just around the corner, taking place on February 1st. If you’re not holding a get together at your home, but attending a party, try bringing one of these appetizers to help those anxious snackers as they root for their team. Not into football or sports in general? No problem! My recipes are still great for any party. No matter what party you plan on hosting: pity, pajama, dinner, for funsies, just ’cause, graduation, baby shower, etc you can’t possibly go wrong with some homemade salsa, guacamole, or cheesy corn. If you’re just an anxious snacker & need new snack ideas, avoid drinking alcohol, caffeine, & hot dogs. Get your nerves relaxed with some chamomile tea & some whole grain chips dipped in any of my Game Day recipes. If you’re going to carelessly munch on food, it should at least benefit you right?

Additionally, I’d like to give a shout out to my brother. Today is a special day for Vinny because it’s his birthday! My father is terrible with remembering dates–which is why I made our WiFi’s password his wedding anniversary so he’ll never forget–but he is grateful that my mom coincidentally popped us out during holidays: Super Bowl Sunday (Vinny) & Memorial Day (me). Obviously these dates change every year, but he knows when those holidays come around, our birthdays probably will too. Vinny made some really excellent guacamole last time I bought an excessive amount of avocados, so my recipe of guacamole isn’t dedicated to him. Rather, I’m dedicating my Vegetarian Meatless Meatballs recipe to the guy whose favorite Subway sandwich was the meatball one. Vinny may be too lazy to make these meatballs, but I think he would enjoy them because they’re packed with umami. Ladle on some homemade marinara & hug them with some buns to get your own vegetarian meatball sub. These meatballs are perfect for Game Day for your vegetarian friends (meat lovers will enjoy them too)! Cook them in a pot with marinara (store bought is fine) & watch it get devoured!