We invited our wine group (eight of us in all) to the cabin last weekend. On Friday night, we carried some appetizers down to our pontoon boat, and then ejnoyed eating them while we let the boat drift in the middle of the lake. We really lucked out with the weather—it was in the high 70s and sunny when our guests arrived. Bev and Gary made a couple of delicious and quick-to-make appetizers. ...

Tags: appetizers, figs

Many members of our staff just met in the test kitchens for lunch today because the word got out that we had lots of yummy leftovers from yesterday's taste panel. While we were enjoying our lunch, Lisa told me that she was planning a baby shower this spring and that she was looking for some great food ideas for it. If you ask a Food Editor for recipe ideas, you are likely to get some—sooner than later.   ...

Tags: appetizers, baby bib appetizers, baby shower, Cheddar cheese, ham

My friend Michelle read my last post and reminded me of another appetizer I love: Spinach Balls. Okay, so the name doesn’t exactly make your mouth water, but hear me out. Spinach is just one ingredient in the recipe. The others include butter, parmesan cheese, croutons and garlic—lots and lots of garlic.I first tasted Spinach Balls many, many years ago when I was at my sister Carrie’s house for a holiday (I can’t remember which one). She served them as well as a bunch of other holiday finger food, much of it sweet. Two of my nieces were there—both were under the age of five—and they repeatedly ignored the ...

Tags: spinach, appetizers

I’m at a loss at what to write about today. Other than my responsibilities at work, food hasn’t played much of a role in my life lately. My colleagues would be appalled if they saw the contents of my refrigerator. I’ve got a jar of pickles, lots of soda, beer, a few hunks of cheese, some flour tortillas and a door full of condiments that have been there since the 90s. Not exactly inspiring. My apologies.  ...

Tags: Olive-Cheese Balls, appetizers, entertaining

Despite the cold temps, I haven't been watching too much TV these days, mostly because there's nothing on except reality shows and reruns. Having heard so many good things about LOST I decided see what all the fuss was about. I hadn't seen a single episode so I rented the first two DVDs hoping to catch up. I was immediately hooked. After renting the first six discs I discovered that all the episodes are available on ...

Tags: Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip, Italian Appetizer Bread, appetizers, recipes

I'm often invited to parties where everyone is asked to bring an appetizer—and the combination of appetizers that everyone brings becomes our dinner. These appetizers dinners are some of my most favorite meals.   Some of my friends expect me to bring an interesting appetizer—one that would take all day to make and/or maybe have an ingredient in it that they have never tasted. ...

Tags: appetizers, Crescent, holiday, Mini

I attended the wedding of a former roommate in NYC a couple of weekends ago. The event was unbelievably elegant, from the ceremony at ...

Tags: New York CIty, appetizers, wedding