Thursday, May 21, 2009

Foodie Friday...Finger Food








It's already Friday again...wow, the days are going fast! Gollum is hosting a Foodie Friday Finger Food Party! If you've been looking for some appetizers, this is sure to be the place to find it!

Beloved has been feeling a little neglected lately with all the wedding planning going on. We've had more than a few nights of takeout. Now, Beloved is a Foodtv junkie and recently called my attention to two recipes on one of Rachel Ray's 30-minute meal episodes. I decided a little pampering in the form of a special meal might soothe his wounded feelings. I had also found a recipe in last month's Southern Living that I was dying to try. First, the finger food!


I bought some tomatoes this week from a truck on the side of the road--actually it was a busy six lane city street, but the idea is the same. I know that these are probably still hot house tomatoes, but still much better than the grocery store variety. Our plants are still in the bloom stage, but I am planning on needing lots of tomato recipes. This Fresh Herb-Tomato Crostini sounded like something we would love! Sure enough--it was a hit. The feta cheese adds a different unexpected flavor to the mixture . To make this: Toast thinly sliced French bread slices brushed with olive oil and crushed garlic. Mix finely chopped tomato (I recommend draining them), chopped green onions, chopped parsley, chopped mint, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. I think you can do this to taste in the amounts you like. Spoon the mixture on top of the toasted bread and top with feta cheese. I think this will be a favorite this summer!





So, since I had the tomatoes, I decided another night to try Rachel's Puttanesca Tomato Salad. This is yummy and so fresh and light! Her recipe does not include the salad greens, but I served it on romaine. Her recommendation was to serve Florentine Prosciutto Wrapped Chicken with this.

I love spinach and pine nuts, especially together. We enjoyed it, but I have to admit that I filed this in the "Things I Don't Want Again Soon" file. The prosciutto was a little overpowering to me. Beloved liked it, but likes a recipe I do with regular ham just as well. I will definitely mix the pine nuts and spinach again though. Both of these recipes can be found at http://www.rachaelray.com/food_results.php?query=florentine%20prosciutto%20chickens .They are part of her Thirty Minute Meal recipes---it did take us about 30minutes to eat it---to prepare it.....a little longer :) I even set the table with a little more flourish to make Beloved feel special! I posted the entire setting and his red, white, and blue pafait on yesterday's post for Susan's Tablescape Thursday. I think it was a success. We tried new recipes, had some really good tomatoes, and Beloved feels all warm and fuzzy from the special treatment! Click on the Foodie Friday button for more recipes with our friend Michael! Have a good weekend and Happy Memorial Day!


30 comments:

  1. Oh those pics are making me hungry!! When do we eat?

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  2. Yummm, this all looks so good, now I'm really hungry! ♥ Diane

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  3. Love me some tomatoes and I will definitely try these! My tiny mouth is watering!
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  4. Looks do good!!
    I can't wait until we have "real" tomatoes, again!!

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  5. It all looks so good!

    amy@maisonbelle

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  6. O, i do love fresh tomatoes...I'll try this very soon, indeed...Like Shelia..I need some for my tiny little mouth..:O)

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  7. All of this looks out of this world good. Your tablescape is beautiful. I love the colors--so crisp and perfect for Memorial Day. I hope you have a wonderful weekend--and may it be filled with food and joy.

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  8. I love home grown tomatoes, all these look so good. I will definitely have to pamper my DH a little. Now I'm really hungry. Hugs, Marty

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  9. I want some good tomatoes ...Happy Foodie Friday! Have a great weekend ~ Susan

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  10. Yummy!!! This all looks so good!!! Your tablescape is beautiful...sooo festive with the red, white and blue!!!

    Have a wonderful day!!!
    XOXO
    Cathy

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  11. I am waiting patiently for tomatoes -- soon. Love crostini with tomatoes. RR has good recipes.

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  12. Hi Susan,
    The tea is a loose black tea. I love all kinds of tea too...have you ever tried Inko's tea in a bottle? The blueberry is to die for. I usually pick it up at Whole Foods.

    XOXO
    Cathy

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  13. Wonderful! Can't wait to eat!
    ~Really Rainey~Nice song choice....

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  14. Oh yummy! Now those look like some wonderful dishes. I simply love tomatoes!

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  15. Your table setting looks so festive - right in keeping with the spirit of the weekend. The tomato salad sounds delicious.

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  16. I can't wait for home grown tomatoes! I've been buying mine from a truck farmer too for a few weeks. Soon, I'll be swiping them, er, asking my sister for them! These recipes all look great, I love the idea of the tomato salad. Thanks for sharing. Kathy

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  17. Susan, Now that looks like something I could sink my teeth in. I am raising tomatoes, but they are not ripe yet. Can't wait.

    Thanks for sharing and have a Happy Weekend.

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  18. Good Morning! That food looks wonderful. The tablesetting is gorgeous too. Wow.

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  19. Your food looks so yummy...I shouldn't be reading food blogs before breakfast, it makes me more hungry!

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  20. There are so many wonderful summertime dishes, but when it gets hot outside I don't want to cook! Hats off to you though!

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  21. Looks delicious to me! I love you tablescape thursday too... so bright anc cherry!

    my rib recipe... those are Memphis Ribs... they don't cook pork ribs in Texas (go figure!) and they don't use "shake"... but in my house... Memphis ribs all the way!

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  22. How sweet... it's nice to be pampered every now and then.

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  23. All your recipes look so very good to me and I would absolutely enjoy all of them!

    Beautiful tablescape! I so appreciate a beautifully set table.

    Thank you for coming by my blog today and leaving such a nice comment. I am pleased to welcome you and your daughter to my small dot in the blogosphere!

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  24. Fresh tomatoes are the best. The recipe sounds so good....makes me hungry just to look at the pictures.

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  25. big lots, huh? never thought to look there for gardening stuff, but i will especially after the peek of the season-CLEARANCES!!!! Your box looks great!

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  26. Lot's to enjoy on this post! Thanks for all this yumminess!

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  27. Evening, Susan! Oh, thank you for your sweet words about my sunroom. You're the sweetest one!
    Shelia ;)

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  28. Thanks for stopping by my post on baked oatmeal. I really like your red, white, and blue tablescape. It is very patriotic and perfect for Memorial Day.

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  29. My gosh this looks good!

    Laura

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  30. Great recipes!! I love Rachael Ray. She is not afraid to laugh at herself~something we should all learn to do! ;-)

    The crostini looks wonderful. I think the mint must add a little bit of a difference to the mix. I want to try this. Do you have black olives on it in the close~up?

    The second recipe looks really good also. I am always looing for an excuse to use pine nuts (even if they are expensive). I too think procuitto can be a little bit salty and ham is a great idea.

    I hope Beloved is feeling quite pampered by now! And when you have some nice ripe tomatoes, send some my way!

    xoxo
    Jane

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