Ring in new year with easy appetizers
POSTED: Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Chances are you already have your plans set for your New Year's celebration, but just in case you find yourself in need of some last-minute appetizer ideas, here are a few easy and tasty recipes that are sure to please. Brie with Sun-Dried Tomatoes is delicious served at room temperature, but a quick warming in the microwave makes it divine. Kalua Pork and Clams is an ideal dish to make if you're having a cookout on the grill, but it's just as tasty prepared in a large pot in the kitchen. Kim Chee Tofu Surprise is super-tasty, super-refreshing and super-easy to prepare.
Whatever your plans are for this New Year's Eve, please be safe. Here's wishing you and yours a happy and healthy New Year!
Brie with Sun-Dried Tomato Spread
2 tablespoons oil (from olive-oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes)
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons minced olive-oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes
12 pitted black olives
1 teaspoon capers
1 wedge (8 ounces) or wheel of brie cheese
Crackers
Heat oil and saute garlic. Place garlic, oil, tomatoes, olives and capers into a food processor and pulse until evenly mixed. Spread mixture over brie and serve with crackers. Option: Warm the brie with topping in a microwave oven (about 1 minute at 50 percent power). Makes 8 servings.
Approximate nutrient analysis per serving (not including crackers): 140 calories, 12 g fat, 6 g saturated fat, 30 mg cholesterol, 300 mg sodium, 1 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 0 g sugar, 6 g protein
Kalua Pork and Clams
2 tablespoons butter
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 small onion, chopped
1 can (14 ounces) chicken broth
1 container (12 ounces) kalua pork, reheated
1 medium tomato, diced
1 small bunch spinach, blanched
2 pounds fresh clams
Saute garlic and onion in butter over medium heat. Add chicken broth and bring to a boil. Place chicken broth, kalua pork, tomato, spinach and clams in an aluminum foil pan; cover with heavy aluminum foil and place on hibachi until clams open. Makes 12 appetizer servings.
Approximate nutrient analysis per serving: 140 calories, 7 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 450 mg sodium, 5 g carbohydrate, 0 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 12 g protein
Kim Chee Tofu Surprise
1 block (20 ounces) firm tofu, drained and cubed
1/2 cup kim chee
1/4 cup nori furikake
Shoyu
Lay tofu in serving platter. Dice kim chee and squeeze all liquid from kim chee; discard liquid. Sprinkle kim chee over tofu. Sprinkle furikake and shoyu over kim chee. Makes 8 appetizer servings.
Approximate nutrient analysis per serving (not including shoyu to taste): 70 calories, 5 g fat, 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 135 mg sodium, 2 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 1 g sugar, 8 g protein
