Category: appetizers
Smoky Okra Fries with Cinnamon Honey Drizzle
Fries and a burger, ho hum. Flip a switch on those boring fries by serving okra! Easy to make and best when hot, these smoky okra fries are still tasty at room temperature. Add the sweet and savory honey drizzle over these crispy fries—woo hoo!
Hot n’Honey Dill Pickled Mustard Seeds
| March 31, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, gluten free, honey, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, pickled foods, published |
This one might sound a bit odd, but do give them a try. They add a fun little pickled crunch to deviled eggs, sandwiches, meats, salads and dips.
Dilled Reuben Deviled Eggs
| March 16, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, eggs, fun food, gluten free, low carb, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, sensational sides, St. Patty's Day |
Reuben Deviled Eggs
I don’t know about you, but I don’t recall ever meeting a deviled egg I didn’t like. I’m not particularly fond of the white part… and either eat just the part of that holding the deviled part… or just the deviled itself! It’s a texture thing for me… egg whites remind me of jello, which I cannot and do not eat! Although I do love a good farm fresh boiled egg with shakers of salt and pepper. Go figure.
This is a “throw cook’n” recipe. One where I cannot give you exact measurements because I simply throw stuff in to make it taste good.
Being that it’s almost St. Patrick’s Day, and I did cook a corned beef this weekend in my crock pot, I enjoy it in a lot of ways… and have had this one in my head for a while. I will also point you to a recipe I threw together long ago, with horrible pics before I had a clue about food styling or photography. This is a really tasty Cream of Reuben Soup... another way to use that corned beef.
Another St. Patrick’s Day dish is my version of colcannon… “Southern Colcannon.” It was actually published in Our State Magazine years ago when I was house chef there… it’s a realllll good side dish for not only corned beef, but just about anything! What’s not to love about greens (my cabbards or cabbage) and good ole North Carolina Sweet Potatoes?
St. Patrick’s Day is also a pretty momentous day for me too… as it is my Quit Smoking Anniversary! I think this marks year 15 for me… my motivation? My new little nephew when he was born, who is now SIXTEEN! He was born in September, and I didn’t want him growing up smelling me and my house… nor seeing me smoking so he would think that was OK!
If you have tried to quit or want to… if I can quit after 26 years… You Can TOO!
It’s not easy. It’s HARD. But find your motivator and do it… read my story above… and just do it!
Till next time… (recipe below)
Reuben Deviled Eggs
Sliced boiled eggs in half and put yolks in bowl.
Add a bit of thousand island dressing (or mayo) and minced dill pickles.
Add some Bavarian Sauerkraut (seasoned and has caraway seeds!)
Stir in a little bit of coarse ground mustard… salt and pepper.
Mix together and fill egg whites.
Scatter with some fresh chopped dill.
EAT!
Spirited Sweet Potato Hummus (plus 10!)
| February 5, 2021 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, butters 'n spreads, fun food, nuts, party foods, roasted goodness, sweet potatoes |
Looking for something new to nibble on? During your super bowl gathering? Or couch pajama movie binge? Throw together some of this roasted sweet potato goodness… yummy any old time… and great way to use some of our North Carolina Sweet Potatoes!!
Roasted Grape & Cheese Crostini with spiced pecan crumbs
| December 30, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, carolina gold oil, cheesy, honey, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, party foods, published, roasted goodness, Toaster Oven, wendy's signature recipes |
Sometimes we just need “a little something” to nibble on — roasting grapes and serving over warm, softened cheese on crostini is a new favorite! The grapes become nice and “jammy” and oh-so-good with a drizzle of herbed oil, vinegar and honey. No exact measurements needed for this one.
Wendy’s Pork and Shrimp Egg Rolls
| August 26, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Asian, Carolina Country, party foods, published, rolls & wraps |
Don’t be intimidated — egg rolls are so easy to make. If you want low carb, skip the wrappers and throw in a bowl. Serve with duck sauce or peach jam mixed with hot pepper jelly.
Pairing a couple of my NC favorite foods… Mimi’s Mountain Mixes & Carolina Gold Oils
| July 1, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, baking (she said in terror), breads, Mimi's Mountain Mixes, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge |
Pair North Carolina’s Mimi’s Mountain Mixes Beer Bread with Carolina Gold Oil’s Mediterranean Dipping Oil for an easy fun nibble. Great addition to your charcuterie boards too! I gave a little twist and used orange beer…. realllll good!
Deviled Crab Hushpuppy Waffle & Pickled Seafood Medley ~ The New Southern Seafood Platter in Our State Magazine
| June 29, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, cornbread & hushpuppies, crab, fish, fish & seafood, fun food, lobster, Mindless Mutterings from the Teacher's Lounge, Our State Mag, scallops, shrimp |
We love a seafood platter in the summertime — especially one that features fresh, local fish. Here, we imagined what a modern twist on this classic dish might look like with these Deviled Crab Hushpuppy Waffles and Pickled Seafood Medley!
Spicy Citrus Seafood Cocktail With NC wild-caught shrimp
| June 23, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, avocado, Bruce Julian Foods, Carolina Country, cook'n with NC goodies, crab, fish & seafood, fun food, garden goodness, gluten free, lobster, low carb, published, scallops, shrimp, wendy's signature recipes |
Spicy Citrus NC Seafood Cocktail
Published in Carolina Country Magazine July 2020
Who has time or desire to do much cooking during the lazy hazy hot days of North Carolina summer? Not me! Y’all, this seafood cocktail is light… so full of flavor with just a hint of fresh citrus, and only a little bit of fuss when it comes to cook’n. Loaded with a bounty of fresh seafood from our coast, you can enjoy this for a late morning brunch… for lunch… or right out of a jar in your porch swing watching the sun set!
This is one of those recipes where specifics and exactness isn’t important — you know, throw cook’n! Use all of one seafood or whatever combo you like. Go with your favorite vegetables and what’s in season. Add veggies you like to my recipe… as The Frugal Gourmet Chef Jeff Smith would say…
“Omit and substitute! That’s how recipes should be written. Please don’t ever get so hung up on published recipes that you forget that you can omit and substitute.”
And in keeping with my North Carolina company ingredients, I chose North Carolina’s Bruce Julian’s Blood Mary Mix to finish out my recipe! Just round up what you need and throw together some of my seafood cocktail… soon! You’ll be so glad you did… and so will your company.
And while you’re at it, be sure to make some of my Savory Bay Crackers with browned butter too. Followed up with a little dish of my No-Churn Cantaloupe & Coconut Ice Cream.
Come on over, and hang out with us in my fun facebook community too, where you will find this and lots of other goodies.
Light and spicy... with just the right hint of fresh citrus, the seafood cocktail features all sorts of North Carolina goodness!
- 2 quarts favorite Bloody Mary mix* or V8
- 1 bunch radishes, roughly chopped
- 3 stalks celery, diced
- 1-2 tablespoons horseradish
- 4 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- zest of 1 lemon, lime, orange and juice of ½ each, Cut the remaining halves into wedges for guests to squeeze into their cocktails
- cracked black pepper
- 2 pounds wild-caught North Carolina shrimp, peeled, cooked and cooled
- 1 pound bay scallops
- 6 small lobster tails
- 2 firm avocados, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
- 1/2 pound lump crab meat
- cilantro
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Combine and chill the spicy sauce ingredients.
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A few minutes before serving, add about four pounds of cooked shellfish of your choice (or use our suggestions above) and gently stir in the avocados and cilantro.
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Sprinkle with crabmeat and more cilantro.
*I used NC’s Bruce Julian Bloody Mary Mix.
Savory Bay Crackers with browned butter
| June 23, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, crackers, fun food, party foods, published, wendy's signature recipes |
How do you make crackers more better? Why browned butter, of course! Make these Savory Bay Crackers with browned butter to enjoy alongside all sorts of dishes!
Anytime is Deviled Egg time!
| April 8, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, bacon & belly, buttahhhh, cheesy, cook'n with NC goodies, corn, crab, duke's mayo!, Easter, fun food, gluten free, low carb, Mt. Olive Pickles, Our State Mag, party foods, product recipe development, published, sensational sides, wendy's signature recipes |
While recipe developer and food stylist at Our State Magazine, I was asked to give a classic deviled egg a North Carolina twist. These recipes inspired by our culture are fun to make and good to eat.
Peas and Carrot Fritters… with lemon-dill yogurt tzatziki
| April 8, 2020 | Posted by Wendy Perry under appetizers, Carolina Country, cook & eat nekkid, dressings, garden goodness, published, sensational sides, wendy's signature recipes |
Spring has us thinking peas and carrots! But not just any peas and carrots. We’re hungry for crispy fritters, with a zesty Greek twist.
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