Category: Appetizers

Appetizers, Recipes

Italian Cracker Snack Mix

by Mary LentzLeave a Comment on Italian Cracker Snack Mix

You’ve found a yummy, savory, super easy appetizer and snack. Try this three ingredient Italian Cracker Snack Mix.

Italian Cracker Snack Mix

Have I got one of the easiest recipes for you. Like so easy that there isn’t even any actual cooking involved. Can I get a Hallelujah?

I love this recipe because there are only three ingredients involved. I love to whip this up for a salty, savory snack. This is great for parties and get togethers. They’re great for guests to munch on while other food is coming. Additionally, I love making this and wrapping it up in cello bags for neighbors, teachers, and other people as a simple gift or in a gift basket with other goodies.

Making Italian Cracker Snack Mix

So as I mentioned, this is just three ingredients: olive oil, an italian season ing / dressing spice packet, and crackers. However, I do love to add a forth ingredient: crushed red pepper flakes. I like mine to have a little bit of spice, but that is totally up to you.

Italian Cracker Snack Mix

I’ve tried it with both regular saltines and mini ones and I have to tell you – the mini saltines win hands down. They are so good!

I’ve seen some versions call for a full cup of olive oil, but honestly I think it makes the crackers too greasy. I recommend starting with a half cup. You’ll gently stir and fold the crackers into the oil-spice mixture. The crackers should be fully coated. You can always add more oil if you feel its too dry. I recommend storing it in an air tight container overnight to let the spices fully meld. I find it is freshest in the air tight container for up to two weeks. By the way, you can also try this recipe with a Ranch seasoning packet.

Cracker mixture

Italian Cracker Snack Mix

Turn ordinary saltines into a yummy, savory, Italian spiced snack mix.
Print Recipe
Cook Time 5 minutes
Resting time 12 hours
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • ½ Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 Box Mini Saltine Crackers (11 oz)
  • 1 Packet Italian Dressing Seasoning (perferably Good Seasons)

Instructions
 

  • Add olive oil into a medium sized bowl.
  • Add spice packet and stir well into olive oil.
  • Pour entire box of crackers into the bowl and gently fold until all the oil is absorbed and crackers are completely coated.
  • If desired, add a sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes.
Keyword 3 ingredient appetizer, appetizer, crackers, italian, saltimes, snack mix
Crackers
Crackers

Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more recipes! Thanks so much for reading. I appreciate you!

Sign up to get subscriber only giveaways, freebies and your FREE menu planner

Don’t forget to see my other easy recipes like Parmesan Arugula Salad and Goat Cheese Fondue.

Appetizers

Goat Cheese Fondue

by Mary Lentz3 Comments on Goat Cheese Fondue

Goat Cheese Fondue is full of Mediterranean flavors like warm, bubbling goat cheese, fresh Rosemary, tomatoes, olive oil and Kalamata olives.

Goat Cheese Fondue

This post, Goat Cheese Fondue, contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one of the links I provide, I may receive a small percentage at no cost to you.

I love fondue! I mean, come on, who doesn’t love a big bubbling pot of melted cheese? My husband and I make fondue at home quite a bit. Honestly, it’s a great date night at home if you can’t go out. We’ve got little ones and so it’s really rare if we get a date night out. We’re taking anniversaries only. So when the kids are in bed, we’ll often create a special evening together and that is where the magic of fondue happens!

This is a great appetizer, even for a weeknight meal or an intimate dinner party. I’m surprised at how much this upscale, yet easy appetizer wows dinner guests. As soon as you pair these ingredients together, people automatically feel like it’s a fancy dish.

Making Goat Cheese Fondue

I love traditional fondue (Swiss & fontina cheese and white wine), but recently, I decided to do a different take on the Swiss classic. This recipe combines a several Mediterranean flavors. Goat cheese, also called Chèvre is combined with Kalamata olives, fresh rosemary, tomatoes and extra-virgin olive oil. The flavor is like fireworks on your tongue. Seriously, it’s delicious. And best of all, you don’t need a fondue pot!

I love serving this dish with grilled baguette! To make it, just purchase a baguette from your local grocery store. After cutting into slices, brush extra-virgin olive oil on both sides of the bread. I use a cast iron grill pan, but any grill pan will work just fine. On medium heat, toast each side for 5 minutes or until grill lines appear.

Goat Cheese Fondue

I highly recommend serving this dish while still piping hot. Once, out of oven the cheese will start to solidify again as it cools down. After experimenting with the recipe, I don’t recommend adding wine or anything else to the cheese. I found the consistency isn’t good otherwise. So keep it simple and just melt the cheese as-is.

Goat Cheese Fondue

This delicious new take on fondue fuses Mediterranean flavors like Goat Cheese, Kalamata Olives, Fresh Rosemary, Olive Oil and Sweet Tomatoes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Appetizer
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3-4 Small Sweet Tomatoes
  • 4 Oz Goat Cheese
  • 1 Tsp Fresh Rosemary
  • 6-8 Kalamata Olives Pitted

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350
  • In a small dish, place goat cheese and place in the over for 5-10 mins until softened. 
  • While in the oven, pit olives (if not pre-pitted) and separate rosemary from stem.
  • Once goat cheese is semi soft take out of oven and spread the cheese to fully cover the bottom of the dish. 
  • Sprinkle fresh rosemary. Add 3-4 tomatoes and add olives
  • Turn broiler on low and place cheese in oven
  • Melt under broiler for approximately 5 mins. Pay close attention to the cheese as things can burn quickly under the broiler. 
  • Once melted, remove from oven. Drizzle olive oil on the top. Best served with warm bread.
Goat Cheese Fondue

I hope you love this appetizer as much as I do. I think it will become one of your favorites! If you try it, I’d love to hear what you think of it below in the comments. Don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more easy recipes!

Appetizers, Recipes

Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese

by Mary Lentz2 Comments on Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese

Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese is both quick and easy to whip up as either an appetizer or for your own homemade Pimento sandwiches.

This post contains affiliate links. Should you make a purchase through one of the links I provide, I may receive a small percentage at no cost to you. See my full disclosure policy for more details.

For years, I hated pimento cheese. But then again I had mostly jarred or processed versions of it. But I became a fan when I whipped up my own brand of Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese.

I love just just spreading it on bread but Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese is amazing in sandwiches. It amazes me I hated Pimento Cheese way back when.

This has truly become one of my favorite recipes. Personally, I love spreading it on artisan scratch bread. Don’t fret if you don’t know how to make bread. You can buy scratch bread from your local grocery store and let me tell you…it’s worth it to spring for the good stuff!

By the way, I make this for wine and cheese nights. Let me tell you, it gets rave reviews and I never have any left! For parties, of you aren’t going to make sandwiches, consider just using crackers or bruschetta toast.

The Ingredients

This is a very simple recipe to make. For starters there is no real cooking. Just grab the ingredients and combine in a mixing bowl. I recommend refrigerating it for at least an hour after making it to let the flavors fully meld. I also recommend using fresh minced garlic and fresh dill. There is definitely difference in taste when garlic powder or dried dill is used. It really mutes the flavor.

I’ve been asked before if you can make it with cheddar or mix cheddar in. You certainly can. I love sharp cheese. However, Monterrey Jack has softer notes and I think the flavors work best with a milder cheese.

Storing Monterrey Jack Pimento Spread

Pimento Cheese can dry out. Therefore, I recommend storing it in an air tight container. It’s good for about 5-7 days. That means it’s great for making it in advance for parties and gatherings. You may find it can get a little dry after a few days. Simply add some extra mayo and stir.

Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese

Monterrey Jack Pimento Cheese

This homemade Pimento Cheese is to die for. Monterrey Jack. Is blended with mayo, Pimento, garlic and dill. 
Print Recipe
15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Servings 2 Cups

Ingredients
  

  • 8 Oz Monterrey Jack Cheese shredded
  • 2 Tbsp Garlic Minced
  • 1/2 Cup Mayonnaise
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Dill Chopped
  • 2 Oz Pimento Strained

Instructions
 

  • With a food strainer, strain the pimentos until all the liquid is gone. 
  • In a medium bowl, add cheese and Pimento. 
  • Mince garlic and add to mixture. 
  • Add dill and mayonnaise. Stir well  until fully combined. 
  • Refrigerate for one hour before serving. 
Keyword appetizer, cheese, dill, easy appetizer, entertaining, monterrey jack, pimeto, pimeto cheese, sandwiches

Learn how to make White Chocolate Raspberry Muffins