Appetizers

Blackberry Applesauce

Yield: 7 half-pint jars

Cook Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

5 pounds apples (a mixture of sweet apple varieties, such as Gala, Fuji, Rome, Golden Delicious, or Pink Lady will make the best applesauce)
1 lemon, juiced (about 3 tablespoons)
1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar (more or less to taste)
8 ounces (2 cups) fresh or frozen blackberries

Mexican Street Corn

5 ears fresh corn, husked

For the Spread:

1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons sour cream
Juice from one lime

For the Topping:

1/4 cup grated Cotija cheese
1 teaspoon smoked paprika (or chili powder if you want heat)

Soak 5 wooden skewers in water for 30 minutes. Pierce a skewer halfway into the bottom of each corn cob.

Preheat the grill to medium heat (between 350-450 degrees F).

Place the corn directly over the heat, cover and let cook for 10 to 15 minutes, turning often, until the kernels are spotted brown.

Jalepeno Popper Grilled Cheese

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices sourdough or ciabatta bread
  • 2 jalapeno peppers, cut in half lengthwise and de-seeded
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 2 tablespoons cream cheese
  • 2 slices sliced provolone, mozzarella or cheddar cheese
  • 2 tablespoons queso dip

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place jalapenos on a baking dish and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake the peppers until tops start to blacken, or about 8 minutes. Let peppers chill and then peel the skin off.

Bacon Mac and Cheese Panini

Ingredients:

  • 2 slices ciabatta bread
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons butter
  • About 1/3 cup cheddar mac and cheese
  • 1 slice provolone cheese
  • 2 pieces bacon

Directions: 

  1. Preheat a griddler or panini press.
  2. Butter both slices of bread. Layer the cheese, mac and cheese and bacon on 1 bread slice. Top with the second piece of bread and slightly push them together.

Roasted Strawberry, Brie and Chocolate Panini

Makes 2 sandwiches

6 strawberries, quartered
1/2 teaspoon canola oil
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons butter
4 thick-cut slices of multigrain bread
2-3 ounces of brie cheese, sliced
1-2 ounces high-quality chocolate

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss strawberries with oil and salt, then spread on a baking sheet and roast for 20 minutes.

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