Food, travel and photography

Category: Snacks Tapas & Appetizers

FRENCH FOIE GRAS

FRENCH FOIE GRAS

Monsieur Ducasse shared this recipe on a radio show at least 20 years ago. I quickly grabbed a pen to jot down the details. You can substitute Port wine for Pineau, but I think that little touch of cognac really makes a difference. I’ve never 

CHORIZO AND RICOTTA PINWHEELS

CHORIZO AND RICOTTA PINWHEELS

Prepared in no time, you can even adapt this recipe with a variety of different flavors, these bites are always a great hit! This recipe is an inspiration of Zoé de Las Cases’s published in the French Figaro Magazine Cuisine as a spotlight for country 

BLACK PUDDING SPICED WITH BANANAS & CINAMMON COOKIES

BLACK PUDDING SPICED WITH BANANAS & CINAMMON COOKIES

This dish is ideal when you don’t have much time but wish to impress your guests with an exotic unique delight. Moreover, it’s quick and easy to make. Served with a large green or mixed salad on the side, it stands as a main course 

Savoury zucchini feta & mint cake

Savoury zucchini feta & mint cake

The feta cheese and the Greek yogurt bring a nice fresh touch to this delicious zucchini bread recipe. This one is from my friend Marina. I am a fan of her cooking always healthy, inspiring, and so savoury.

Avocado Féroce

Avocado Féroce

This exotic dish from the French West Indies is essential to the traditional culinary experience when traveling around the Islands. It’s made of salted cod fish, avocado, and cassava flour.

Sweet potato and red pepper thaï soup

Sweet potato and red pepper thaï soup

Teresa, who is a pharmacist as well as a nutritionist, has a fascinating and wonderful personality. She is the generous-type and I do thank her for sharing this recipe with us. I love the way she cooks: it is simple, tasty and always healthy. Teresa 

Pickled carrots and whipped feta dip

Pickled carrots and whipped feta dip

This is a British recipe to which I made a few changes to suit my personal taste. Very easy to prepare, you just need a five-hour marinating time for the carrots. With a food processor, the dip will be ready in no time.

Christmas Toffee Barbara’s way

Christmas Toffee Barbara’s way

This is Barbara’s very own special recipe for Christmas Toffee. Believe me: it’s a killer! This is perfect as a homemade treat. It was a nice and delicious experience to watch Barbara make this delicious candy.

Kale chips

Kale chips

The key to perfect kale chips? A slow and low bake. Why does kale get so much credit? It’s remarkably high in fibre and iron. It is packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It’s also a great source of calcium and high in vitamins K 

Makis

Makis

These Japanese rolls are made of sushi rice seasoned with rice vinegar and a variety of ingredients held together in nori seaweed. One of my family’s favorites!

Melitzanosalata

Melitzanosalata

It’s a light eggplant caviar easy to make. Paloma who gave me Mania’s recipe says that this eggplant caviar will become light and foamy as would a mayonnaise when you mix it properly. Adjust with olive oil to your taste accordingly.

Catherine’s tuna salad

Catherine’s tuna salad

On a bed of lettuce, as a tuna sandwich spread, or stuffed in a tomato this American Tuna Salad recipe is a winner in all families. You can even use it to make a delicious Tuna Melt! And if you have leftovers, it is still 

Virginie’s seed crackers

Virginie’s seed crackers

These crunchy shortbreads are absolutely delicious. You may even sprinkle a bit if cumin seeds or aniseeds to vary the flavour or simply add a pinch of Espelette chili to spice it up. 

STEPHANIE’S FRENCH CHICKEN LIVER PÂTÉ

STEPHANIE’S FRENCH CHICKEN LIVER PÂTÉ

Stéphanie, who is a great cook and who is used to organising large dinner parties, managed to convince me to make this fantastic recipe. Use one of your nice terrine dishes as it will be served on the table.

Quitterie’s homemade cheese puffs

Quitterie’s homemade cheese puffs

You’re going to love preparing this recipe! Only 20 minutes to bake and you can munch on these delicious puffs!

Zaatar beetroot & yogurt spread

Zaatar beetroot & yogurt spread

For an elegant presentation, top with sunflower young leaves or any other ingredient baring the colour you wish to decorate your colourful spread. Special thanks to Chrystele who had me discover this delicious recipe created by the famous Yotam Ottolenghi.

Asmaa’s smocked aubergine spread

Asmaa’s smocked aubergine spread

This is a Turkish dish turned into a versatile spread that can be used over  bread, blinis, or part of a mezze table. My friend Asmaa is a Natural Chef & Health Food coach. You’ll find her on Instagram. Look for Authentickspoon. We met in 

Armelle’s version of deviled eggs

Armelle’s version of deviled eggs

This appetizer served in a glass verrine is one of many recipes using this layer principle; you may use various herbs and spices with the eggs (chives, dill…) or even add tuna, salmon, sardines to suit your taste. You could also beat the extra egg white 

Shrimp ans zucchini mousse

Shrimp ans zucchini mousse

You may very well change the final touch if you have other ingredients : keep the zucchini mousse and the shrimps and top with a dash of pesto, avocado or sundried tomatoes, use cilantro or basil leaves as you wish. Served warm, at room temperature 

Accras from Martinique & Thomas’Ti punch

Accras from Martinique & Thomas’Ti punch

It’s really a lot easier than it seems but it involves frying so be careful. Good to know : cod accras are part of the traditional Caribbean cuisine. This dish is generally served  in Martinique as an appetizer with Ti Punch. Thomas’TI Punch is made of 5cl of white 

Homemade gravlax style salmon

Homemade gravlax style salmon

✨It’s a Scandinavian classic dish, thank you Francine for the recipe.✨ You can try it with vodka instead of gin. Many recipes recommend freezing the fish before curing in order to kill any parasites. It makes a stunning party platter if you serve it up appetizer style. For a 

Catherine’s Bhel Puri

Catherine’s Bhel Puri

Bhel Puri is a low calorie snack most commonly sold by the street vendors on the push carts in Mumbay.  There are a lot of different recipes. This one is inspired by Dishoom, a famous Indian restaurant in London. Much of the fun of eating Bhel Puri 

Maryse’s French Tapenade

Maryse’s French Tapenade

I highly recommend this tapenade recipe. Making it is actually pretty easy. You just need a blender and to wait a few hours…You can also try  her excellent peas soup  and her veal sauté .