Food Mamma

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appetizers

garlicky tomato and avocado bruschetta

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We have been lucky in the last couple of weeks to enjoy some great October weather.  We took advantage of this last week and went to Canmore for the day.  We had lunch at Luna Blue and enjoyed a feast of garlic with bruschetta, pizza and pasta.

I had good friends coming over for a lasagna dinner and I needed a quick appetizer to go along with it.  The garlicky bruschetta from the week before had been on my mind and I figured it would be the perfect starter.  I added an avocado to the mix which added some texture and made the bruschetta creamy.  It was a hit, even with the little ones.



Garlicky Tomato & Avocado Bruschetta

3 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
4 TB olive oil
1 tsp balsamic vinegar
bunch of basil, chopped
salt
pepper

baguette, sliced
olive oil for drizzling

Slice the baguette on the diagonal and place on a baking sheet.  Drizzle with olive oil and bake until toasted.

Mix the ingredients for the brushcetta.  Let stand for 10 minutes.  Top the toasted baguettes with the mixture and enjoy!

grilled pineapple salsa

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Has it already been 2 weeks since my last post?  The days just seem to be flying by and we are already in July!  We are finally enjoying some wonderful summer weather and there’s no better time to do some grilling.  Grilling at my house is a year round affair but nothing beats grilling fruit in the summer.  My favorite is grilled pineapple, the bbq bringing out even more sweetness.  While preparing Mahi Mahi burgers for dinner, I figured the best topping would be a grilled pineapple salsa.  The combination of sweet pineapple, smoky roasted red peppers with a spicy kick was fresh and delicious. 

And hey, if you have some extra grilled pineapple, spread some Nutella and sprinkle some nuts and you have yourself dessert!

Grilled Pineapple Salsa

Grilled pineapple, cubed
Roasted red peppers, chopped finely
Green onions
Red onions
Mint
Lime juice
Hot sauce

Toss and serve!

easy shrimp salad rolls

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Anyone who knows me knows how much I like Vietnamese food. At least once a week, I venture out to a great Vietnamese shop a couple of blocks from work. Sate beef with vermicelli and spring rolls makes for a very satisfying meal. One of my favorite things to eat at home are the Shrimp Salad Rolls. It is the easiest thing to make and, you can have the perfect appetizer or snack in minutes.

Shrimp Salad RollsCooked shrimp, approximately 3 per rolls
Rice wrappers
Cooked vermicelli
Mint
Lettuce or Spinach

Place the rice wrapper in a bowl of warm water until soft and transparent. Line up 3 shrimp in the middle followed by a mint leaf, greens and vermicelli. Fold in the two ends and roll.

Serve with hoisin sauce and Sriracha chili sauce.

the famous roasted red pepper dip

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I started making the roasted red pepper dip about 4 years ago.  I had just gotten married and was excited to be hosting parties in my new home.  The dip, which is so easy to prepare, got rave reviews and soon became my signature dip.  Rarely is there a party at my house without the famous roasted red pepper dip.  Served in a red pepper or a simple dish, it is the perfect accompaniment to veggies or grilled crostini.

Roasted Red Pepper Dip
1 red pepper
3 cloves of garlic
2/3 cup of mayonnaise
salt
pepper
olive oil

Quarter the red pepper and place on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper and roast in a 400 degree oven for 15 minutes. At this point, you can remove the skin, but I prefer to leave it on.

In a blender, drop in the garlic and blend. Add the red pepper and blend again. Add the mayonnaise and blend a final time. Ready to eat!