Hors d’Oœuvres

Thumbnail image for Roasted Garlic and White Bean Dip with Fresh Basil

Roasted Garlic and White Bean Dip with Fresh Basil

April 19, 2012

Mariel here. I’m in the midst of moving from the city to the suburbs, so my mom has been spearheading the blog while I sort through my life… But I’m back this week and I’ve got another recipe in the hopper for next week so I won’t be neglecting Feast for too long! On Easter [...]

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Thumbnail image for Asparagus Galette with Gruyere Cheese

Asparagus Galette with Gruyere Cheese

April 3, 2012

Mary Anne here. A galette is a term used to describe various types of flat, round or free-form breads and cakes. In this recipe, it’s used to describe more of a tart-like dish, while my Potato and Canadian Bacon Galette serves as a tart but actually bakes en casserole. Now that I’ve cleared that up… [...]

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Thumbnail image for Healthier Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Healthier Spinach and Artichoke Dip

March 19, 2012

Mariel here. I have to admit, it’s been awhile since I’ve indulged in Spinach & Artichoke dip, not because it isn’t delicious, but because the stuff they dish up at the average restaurant is so overloaded with full-fat cream and cheese, I’d rather just go whole hog and eat a gallon of Haagen Dazs. So [...]

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Thumbnail image for Asian Chicken Salad Tartlets

Asian Chicken Salad Tartlets

February 28, 2012

Mary Anne here. Mariel’s BFF is getting married in May and as I had mentioned in an earlier post, my girl and I are hosting her Bridal Tea this weekend. Mariel would be perfectly happy if I simply whipped up the Tea for Twenty that I put together for her own pre-nuptial bash, but there [...]

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Thumbnail image for Honey & Butter-Glazed Pretzel Bites with Roasted Garlic

Honey & Butter-Glazed Pretzel Bites with Roasted Garlic

February 20, 2012

Mariel here. Every morning, I head out onto the mean streets of NYC and pound it out on the pavement for a full hour. Rain or shine, snow or wind, this daily jog helps clear my head and de-stress my perpetually anxious soul before hunkering down for an honest day’s work. It also has the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Chile Con Queso aka Tex-Mex Style Nacho Cheese Dip

Chile Con Queso aka Tex-Mex Style Nacho Cheese Dip

January 31, 2012

Mary Anne here. Super Bowl Sunday is upon us, and this year I may actually watch the game as my New York Giants tackle the New England Patriots! Usually it’s all about the grub…and the commercials. My cheering section of the Ellicott-Rittenhouse team plans to keep up our spirits no matter what happens on the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crostini

Roasted Tomato and Garlic Crostini

January 5, 2012

Mariel here. This past New Year’s Eve, my husband and I kept things very low key. Long gone are the days of all night celebrations, in fact, I’m lucky if I make it to midnight. This year I did NOT – we went to a 630PM dinner at ‘Cesca on Manhattan’s sleepy Upper Westside, before [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sun-Dried Tomato Caprese with Smoked Mozzarella

Sun-Dried Tomato Caprese with Smoked Mozzarella

December 27, 2011

Mary Anne here. Old Man Winter officially arrived last week, yet here at Feast on the Cheap, Mariel and I share a craving for all things tomato. Our Summer Tomato Salad with Brie and Bermuda Onion, The Palm’s Monday Night Salad, or even a hearty Heirloom Tomato and Bread Salad would quell our yearning. Maybe [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crispy Kale Chips

Crispy Kale Chips

December 22, 2011

Mary Anne here. This fall, I spent a glorious eight hours up north in horse country with my favorite girl, Mariel. I just love those quiet, mom-daughter days. On this particular adventure, we stopped for coffee on the way and, while sipping from our paper cups, we perused the goodies at a local farm stand. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Gourmet Pizza with Gruyere, Crispy Prosciutto and Caramelized Onion Puree

Gourmet Pizza with Gruyere, Crispy Prosciutto and Caramelized Onion Puree

December 15, 2011

Mariel here. New York City is home to several famous slices, but it’s clear many Manhattanites have grown tired of the usual mozzarella-marinara combo. You can’t toss a garlic knot without hitting a menu touting “gourmet” or “artisan” ‘za. I’m all for it – everything tastes better when cradled by crispy, fluffy dough. Since the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spinach-Ricotta Spread on Crispy Parmesan Squares

Spinach-Ricotta Spread on Crispy Parmesan Squares

December 9, 2011

I’ve become a serious deadbeat in the kitchen. Apparently my culinary inspiration has gone the way of the Walkman and every week I scratch my head over what to make for Feast. Stew Leonard’s prepared foods have become my new bestie – ditto for Progresso soups and frozen ravioli – and gone are the days [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spiced Cheddar Cheese Twists

Spiced Cheddar Cheese Twists

October 6, 2011

Mary Anne here. A couple of weekends ago I hosted a “girls night” with my two sisters and one of my beloved nieces. We howled like raucous schoolgirls as we gossiped, giggled, and did a wee bit of guzzling, all while feasting on an over-flowing charcuterie board. The spread was laden with thin slices pf [...]

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Thumbnail image for Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

Montrachet and Walnut Quesadillas with Apple, Fig, and Date Salsa

September 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. At Feast on the Cheap, we’ve written our fair share about enjoying breakfast for dinner. And Mariel realized recently that when I broke out the pancake batter for our night-time repast when she was just a little girl, it was more an act of…ummm…laziness, rather than altruistic, motherly benevolence. Busted by my brood, [...]

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Thumbnail image for Potato, Leek and Prosciutto Parcels for Secret Recipe Club

Potato, Leek and Prosciutto Parcels for Secret Recipe Club

August 29, 2011

Mariel here. Since I spent last week camping out in the Adirondacks, I didn’t get a chance to sample my mom’s amazing-looking Potato, Gruyere and Canadian Bacon Galette. In fact, the description of this tasty creation seemed to burrow itself into my brain and lodge there, so much so that I did the unthinkable on [...]

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Thumbnail image for Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

Shrimp Po’ Boys with a Spicy-Sweet Remoulade

August 4, 2011

Mary Anne here. It would seem we’re on a sandwich roll here – get it? Oh whatever. From Mariel’s Crispy Chicken, Fried Egg and Prosciutto Sammie and my Classic Lobster Roll to these ridiculously rich Open-Faced Peach and Prosciutto with Brie and Arugula Sandwiches, we could practically open a deli! Thanks to the steamy temps outside, I [...]

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Thumbnail image for The Classic Lobster Roll

The Classic Lobster Roll

June 30, 2011

Mary Anne here. It has always astonished me that the scavengers of the sea command such ridiculous market prices. A century or so ago, these hard-shelled crawlers were actually considered peasant food, but you’d never know it if you’ve bought Lobster Rolls on the eastern tip of Long Island. Last year, fresh shelled lobster meat [...]

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Thumbnail image for Open-Faced Peach & Prosciutto Sandwiches with Brie & Arugula

Open-Faced Peach & Prosciutto Sandwiches with Brie & Arugula

June 23, 2011

Mary Anne here. As I cruised my grocer’s aisles this past weekend, the plump, softly furred peaches captured my imagination. I wanted peaches, and I wanted them right then and there – even in their unripened form. Given their immature state,  I began daydreaming this “cooked salad” on bread and the following ingredients somehow landed [...]

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Thumbnail image for Spicy Cheddar and Chutney Palmiers

Spicy Cheddar and Chutney Palmiers

May 24, 2011

Mary Anne here. It would seem that I’m on a puff-pastry binge these days, but I’ve got a pretty good excuse. Mariel and I are busy with a flurry of catering activity, whether it’s dishing up cocktail fare or composing menus for clients for everything from buffet dinners to week-long private chef requests. No wonder [...]

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Thumbnail image for Puff Pastry Bites with Stilton, Fig Jam, and Candy-Glazed Walnuts

Puff Pastry Bites with Stilton, Fig Jam, and Candy-Glazed Walnuts

May 5, 2011

Mary Anne here. Living in the Northeast, this wickedly wild winter left me wanting to hibernate. And while our spring has certainly had its fair share of dark and dreary days, we’ve also enjoyed intermittent bouts of sunshine and warmth. I am SO ready for real spring weather that I’m determined to dust off the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Ginger Marmalade

Beer-Battered Coconut Shrimp with Orange-Ginger Marmalade

April 21, 2011

Mary Anne here. While we normally don’t pay much attention to the “suggested” recipes sent our way – we have to eat what we make, after all – Sam’s Club recently passed along a shrimpy serving suggestion that struck my fancy. Unlike the pay-for-play Panera and Nutella craze that you’ve seen splashed about the internet, [...]

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Thumbnail image for White Pizza with Sweet Pears and Balsamic-Glazed Figs

White Pizza with Sweet Pears and Balsamic-Glazed Figs

April 12, 2011

Mariel here. I’m at a loss for words today – back-to-back deadlines and a few weeks of working straight through the weekend have all but sapped my capacity to think. Thankfully, a plethora of writing assignments has only stoked my appetite, so whenever I’m looking for a break from my laptop, I’ll pop into the [...]

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Thumbnail image for Crab-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

Crab-Stuffed Portobello Mushrooms

December 23, 2010

Mary Anne here. From the time he was a little boy, my eldest son has been wild for Portobello mushrooms, whether they’re grilled, sauteed in oil and splashed with Balsamic vinegar, or just plain raw. This past week ushered in a flurry of frantic activity in my nursing job, so my boy came home to [...]

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Thumbnail image for Dressed-Up Shrimp Quesadillas with Mango and Gouda

Dressed-Up Shrimp Quesadillas with Mango and Gouda

September 23, 2010

Mary Anne and Mariel here. Recently Mariel and I enjoyed a few days alone at our little family abode and, per usual, food was at the forefront of our conversation. As we pondered what to have for dinner one night, Mariel requested that we make my “fancy quesadillas,” the ones with shrimp and Gouda cheese. [...]

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Thumbnail image for Smoked Salmon Challah Bites

Smoked Salmon Challah Bites

September 16, 2010

Mary Anne here. As I’ve mentioned before, the Ellicott clan was raised in a Christian-Judeo household. We were confirmed Catholics but our step-dad, George, was a devout Jew. And as he embraced our Christmas and Easter traditions with all the enthusiasm of an excited toddler, we honored his religious holidays as well – and none [...]

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Thumbnail image for Jalapeno Corn Fritters with Sweet Pepper Pineapple Relish

Jalapeno Corn Fritters with Sweet Pepper Pineapple Relish

August 2, 2010

Mariel here. My mother’s Jalapeno Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa are second-to-none. These snappy morsels aren’t loaded with filler like so many lesser cakes, instead they’re brimming with tender crab and the spice, well it’s just right. Because they’re so chock full o’ seafood, they’re also on the pricey side ($30 and that doesn’t include [...]

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Thumbnail image for Watermelon Bites with Feta, Fresh Spinach and a Cilantro-Mint Pesto

Watermelon Bites with Feta, Fresh Spinach and a Cilantro-Mint Pesto

July 8, 2010

Mariel here. I’m not sure if you’ve noticed, but this month’s crop of watermelon seems to trump any melon I’ve relished in years past…that or I’m suffering from seasonal amnesia. Inspired by a particularly tasty treat I enjoyed this past holiday weekend, I decided to try and incorporate this juicy summer staple into a non-dessert [...]

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Thumbnail image for Ahi Tuna Poke

Ahi Tuna Poke

April 25, 2010

Mary Anne here. At our most recent family chow-down, my niece, Heidi, whipped up this smashing appetizer in about 10 minutes. Initially I didn’t deem sushi-quality Ahi Tuna Feast-worthy (given its high price tag), but when I saw how far it went in my family of gastronomes, I quickly changed my tune and sweet-talked my [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tips for Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Wings

Tips for Crowd-Pleasing Chicken Wings

February 3, 2010

Mary Anne here. If you’re just learning to cook, chicken wings may just be your easiest and most gratifying entree into the world of home cooking. Whether you prefer sweet, spicy, homemade or store-bought BBQ sauce; fresh or dried spices; Asian-inspired, Basque, or Tex-Mex, whatever region, season or spice your palate prefers, the tiny wing [...]

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Thumbnail image for Tapas-Style Chicken Wings

Tapas-Style Chicken Wings

February 3, 2010

Mary Anne here. Cilantro, Jalapenos, garlic, and freshly squeezed lime juice give these chicken wings a south-of-the-border flavor and they’re a popular addition to any buffet or cocktail party. Serve with Frank’s Red Hot Cayenne Pepper Sauce on the side. Oh, and they’re born to be accompanied by a frozen Margarita. Tapas-Style Chicken Wings Serves [...]

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Thumbnail image for Sweet and Spicy Red Hot Buffalo Wings

Sweet and Spicy Red Hot Buffalo Wings

February 3, 2010

Sweet and Spicy Red Hot Buffalo Wings Serves 6 Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice – stock 1 Teaspoon cayenne pepper – stock 1 Teaspoon garlic powder – stock salt and freshly ground pepper – stock Tabasco sauce: 10 to 20 “hits” – stock 2 Tablespoons honey – stock 1 cup favorite BBQ sauce plus [...]

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Thumbnail image for Classic Buffalo Wings

Classic Buffalo Wings

February 3, 2010

Mary Anne here. I prefer my wings sweet with just a whisper of heat, while my two sons prefer the thrill of the hottest wing palatable! To satisfy our disparate tastes, I’ve formulated a basic rub for the boy’s birds that is easily prepared alongside my safely seasoned chicken. Classic Buffalo Wings Serves 6 Note: [...]

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Thumbnail image for Turkey Meatloaf Mini-Muffins

Turkey Meatloaf Mini-Muffins

January 27, 2010

Mariel here. Unlike my mother, who grew up with a strict weekly menu plan, I was fed a colorful, flavorful, and often exotic array of dinnertime dishes. Naturally, all I ever wanted to eat were the fish sticks, Tater Tots, and hot dogs my mom despised as a child. At the time, I didn’t appreciate [...]

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Thumbnail image for Eggplant Pinwheels with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Eggplant Pinwheels with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

December 22, 2009

Mariel here. I’ve been on the receiving end of more than a few not-so-subtle hints recently. My mom, pining for the day when I usurp responsibility for holiday dinners, lunches, brunches, breakfasts and desserts, has been encouraging me to find Christmas recipes I might be interested in making. But why would I do that when [...]

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Thumbnail image for Valerie’s Fig and Olive Tapenade with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

Valerie’s Fig and Olive Tapenade with Sun-Dried Tomatoes

December 20, 2009

Mary Anne here. We truly are a modern family! When my ex-husband remarried about seven years ago, we all reaped the rewards of his union. While he acquired a beautiful and gracious wife, my children gained an incredibly supportive ally and I got myself a brand new friend who I have affectionately dubbed my “wife-in-law.” [...]

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Thumbnail image for Fig & Olive Pizzettes

Fig & Olive Pizzettes

October 26, 2009

Mary Anne here. A couple of weeks ago, we enjoyed one of those perfect autumn days – the sun high enough in the sky to remind us that summer is still close at hand, while the air had that first little nip of fall. Mariel had just returned from her honeymoon, her own glow a [...]

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Thumbnail image for Butternut Squash and Pulled Chicken Empanadas

Butternut Squash and Pulled Chicken Empanadas

October 9, 2009

Mariel here. Well, I’m back. After two delightful weeks in Argentina and Uruguay, I’ve returned a married woman, much lighter in the wallet and possibly five pounds heavier. Peter and I spent most of the trip cruising the countryside on horseback – dreamy! – and then gorging on homemade empanadas, butter-slathered “lomo,” and more dulce [...]

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Thumbnail image for Thai Lettuce Wraps

Thai Lettuce Wraps

August 19, 2009

Mariel here. This is probably one of the most summer-friendly dinners out there. While it requires a good deal of chopping – not my favorite pastime – it’s totally worth the somewhat annoying prep. And cooking takes about 7 minutes which is always a good thing when you live in a tiny apartment that gets [...]

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Thumbnail image for Summer Tomato Salad with Brie and Bermuda Onion

Summer Tomato Salad with Brie and Bermuda Onion

August 14, 2009

Mary Anne here. Tomatoes are reportedly in season here, but again, given the recent spate of rainstorms, local tomatoes have yet to make an appearance at my local green grocer. Not to be discouraged, I opted for grape tomatoes, which were on sale for $2 a pint and I dressed them up with a bit [...]

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Thumbnail image for Caramelized Onion Tartlets

Caramelized Onion Tartlets

June 24, 2009

Onion Tartlet cut into squares to be served as an appetizer Mary Anne here. As an addendum to the recipes we posted for Afternoon Tea for 20 this past spring, we wanted to add a few more, since we’re in the thick of Bridal Shower and Tea Luncheon season. Mariel’s bridal shower is coming up [...]

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Thumbnail image for Prosciutto Spirals with Honey Mustard

Prosciutto Spirals with Honey Mustard

June 24, 2009

Mary Anne here, again. This is hands-down, one of the most popular appetizers I have ever served. Just last week I prepared these along with the Onion Tartlets for a co-worker’s Baby Shower. I have to say – and naturally, I’m not biased – these tasty pastries stole the show! What makes these little treats [...]

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