New Years Eve Hors D'oeuvre Recipes

With New Years Eve only a day away, we put together a list of the top three appetizer recipes for all our last minute chefs out there. These are perfect whether you are entertaining a large group or simply bringing a dish to a friends celebration, and they are all quick and easy to boot!

 

Chipotle Lime Shrimp

• 12 large, raw, peeled and deveined shrimp
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lime granules
• Juice from one lime
• 1/4 teaspoon chipotle powder
• Skewers

1 Preheat the oven to 450.

2 In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, lime granules, olive oil and chipotle powder. Coat the shrimp in this mixture.
3 Thread the shrimp onto skewers and bake for 10-12 minutes, until the shrimp is pink.

 

Crab Dip Recipe

• 1/2 cup mayonaise
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 cup cooked crab meat
• 2 Tbsp minced red onion
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1 teaspoon granulated lemon peel
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoons of dry white wine
• 1/2 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper to taste

1 Combine all ingredients except the crab meat and salt and pepper in a medium bowl.
2 Fold in the crab meat and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3 Chill before serving with crackers, toasted pita wedges, veggies or all three.

 

Curried Deviled Eggs

• 1 dozen eggs
• 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 1 Tbsp minced onion or shallot
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• Salt and pepper
• Paprika

1 Fill a large saucepan half-way with water and gently place the eggs in. Be sure the eggs are covered by at least an inch of water. Bring the water to a boil. Cover and remove from heat. Let sit covered for 12-15 minutes. Drain the pan and run cold water over the eggs. Let sit for a few minutes before peeling the eggs.
2 Slice each egg in half lengthwise and remove the yolk, placing the yolks in a small bowl and the egg white halves on a platter
3 Using a fork, mash the yolks and add mustard, mayonnaise, onion, curry powder, and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Spoon egg yolk mixture into the egg white halves. Sprinkle with paprika.



And there you have it...three quick yet delicious recipes that should make you a hit at any New Years Eve party but won't have you spending the last day of 2011 slaving in the kitchen. Enjoy and Happy New Year from Spice Specialist.

Top Five Spices That Can Benefit Your Health

Almost every home chef has a cabinet full of spices used to add balance and flavor to meals, but did you know that some also have health benefits? Here are the top five spices that manage to be delicious and good for you at the same time.

Cinnamon

Studies have shown that cinnamon helps to regulate blood sugar, which is especially helpful for people with type 2 diabetes. It also has been proven to reduce arthritis pain in patients in as little as one week. Cinnamon is also a great source of manganese, fiber, iron, and calcium. In order to get your daily dose of cinnamon you can add it to coffee, sprinkle it over cereal or add it to plain yogurt for a tasty and healthy start to your day.

Parsley

Parsley is rich in antioxidants which would be a great health benefit on its own, but it also has been shown to help prevent the growth of some cancers. In addition to this, parsley is an anti-inflammatory which combats the onset of bone and joint disorders such as arthritis. Parsley is also high in vitamin K which helps to strengthen bones. Try making tabbouleh instead of a traditional salad for a dish that is rich in both health benefits and flavor.

Turmeric

Turmeric has been used for its health benefits since ancient times, but modern studies have shown that turmeric can do far more than originally believed. It prevents the onset and spread of many types of cancer, including childhood leukemia and breast cancer. Like parsley, it is an anti-inflammatory that is used by many patients who suffer from arthritis pain. It also may prevent the onset and progression of Alzheimer's as well as aid in weight management. Try your hand at Indian cooking to incorporate turmeric into your diet, or simply add to egg salad for a new twist on an old favorite.

Garlic

In addition to warding off vampires for centuries, garlic has many benefits that extend to the average person. It has been shown to assist in the management of blood pressure and cholesterol levels and is a natural antioxidant. Garlic helps reduce the risk of strokes due to the fact that it helps to prevent blood clots from forming. Raw, crushed garlic can also be used as a broad spectrum antibiotic. In order to incorporate more garlic into your diet, try making a garlic spread that can be used on bread or as a vegetable dip.

Oregano

Oregano is fiber rich, which helps to aid digestion and can lower your risk of diabetes and heart disease. It is also high in iron, manganese, vitamin K, omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants. Oregano contains the essential oil, thymol, which has been found to be an anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agent. Some delicious uses for oregano are to sauté it with mushrooms, add to a salad dressing or simply sprinkle it on top of your favorite pizza slice.

Cayenne Chocolate Walnut Cookies

These cookies are sure to be a hit at any New Years Eve celebration, as they have the perfect balance of sweet and spicy.

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup walnuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Cream butter and both sugars until fluffy.
3. Add eggs and blend well.
4. Add cayenne, cocoa, baking soda, cinnamon and salt and blend. Be sure all ingredients are well mixed.
5. Add flour and blend again.
6. Fold in walnuts.
7. Refrigerate for one hour in order to firm the dough.
8. Drop teaspoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheet.
9. Bake 10-12 minutes.
10. Enjoy!

This recipe makes about 60 small cookies. For larger treats, just use a tablespoon to drop the dough instead of a teaspoon. The cayenne pepper and cinnamon can be purchased at our Amazon store. 

For those who have made this recipe, how did you like it?

  

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to the all new blog for Spice Specialist. Make sure to check back often for food and spice news, tips, recipes, news and more! We can be found on the web at http://www.spicespecialist.com/. Our catalog is free to download and features hundreds of spices, blends and hard to find specialty products. Look for a retail store to launch on our website in the coming weeks as well. In the meantime, products can be purchased through Amazon.com under our other name, Chef Cherie. More to come shortly...