MAKING THE MOST OF IT
“That awkward moment when you finish watching a TV series and you don’t know what to do with your life.” I saw this quote captioned under a lost-looking Despicable Me Minion. That was me at the end of “Breaking Bad” and “Ozark” and “Suits.” These days, it’s hard to pull ourselves away from the small screen. I love it, and I’ll admit to long hours spent captivated by my favorite shows, bingeing one episode to the next. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from indulging in entertainment, it’s this: The quality of the noshing is as important as the quality of the show.
Good TV demands more than microwave popcorn. We can all do better.
With that inspiration, I’ve created finger food that’s easy to prepare, crowd-pleasing and healthy, providing sustenance for the hours required to binge a series.
I have a feeling you’ll be bookmarking these baked appetizer recipes for future parties and gatherings of all sorts, Netflix or not. Here’s the rundown: Pepperoni Pizza Cups: Adorable little cups, made with wonton skins, pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese and pepperoni, with a sprinkling of oregano and Parmesan. Want a gluten-free version? Sandwich-style pepperoni slices become cups with ease. Think about the topping possibilities — mushrooms, broccoli, black olives, peppers, ham, pineapple. Toss whatever you want into those bitesize gems before baking.
Homemade Tater Tots: This recipe will bring you right back to childhood — shredded potatoes, shaped into logs and baked until golden and crispy on the outside and perfectly tender on the inside.
These tots are better than their frozen brethren because they’re kicked up with Parmesan cheese and paprika. Serve the tots with the classic condiment — ketchup — or warm marinara sauce; it partners perfectly with the cheese.
Brie and Caramelized Onion Toasts: These simple yet elegant toasts are basically one-bite wonders. I used marbled bread to capture the essence of both rye and pumpernickel in one bite. Then, I topped the bread with caramelized onions and melted Brie. Imagine if you could put onion soup on toast — that’s the flavor experience here.
French Dip Bombs: Little versions of the classic sandwich — with a monumental twist. Juicy roast beef and sharp provolone cheese are stuffed into crescent roll dough and baked into golden-brown bombs. The best part is dunking those bombs in the jus. I realize provolone isn’t a classic addition to the French Dip sandwich, but just wait until you try the melted cheese with the roast beef and sauce. You can’t have just one...