christmas appetizer platter
There are teeny tiny things that gets me enormously irritated. Let me give you an example. I hate it when:
1. I log on to the internet using SmartBro the find out that despite being properly logged in and such it still takes a lifetime before I do any decent surfing.
2. I play Freecell, Solitaire and Spider Solitaire only to be told END GAME No more possible moves. That sucks specially after a long winning streak AS I WAIT for the slow internet connection to move on.)
3. When I get my mug to make instant coffee mix and realize I didn’t turn on the HOT WATER switch.
That’s about it. Seconds after the initial cussing and banging on the flimsy table I get over it just as quick. I made two better distracting methods, listen to music grouped according to type OR watch House and Psych simultaneously.
There are teeny tiny things that gets me enormously overjoyed. Let me give you an example.
1. When a saccharine-straying from reality unappealing soap opera meets its end.
2. When I spot a hard bound book from my favorite author that is 80 percent cheaper.
3. When I meet a well mannered, amiable and really smart person in a midst of “all of these…”
***
Oh! Here’s a funny story, last Saturday (Christmas eve) I asked someone who went downtown to buy me a bag of stick bread. The sturdy long ones, I said. I was told that after searching high and low they couldn’t find a single bakery selling them which was a big surprise since I remember having seen them around somewhere in that town before.
I was desperate, then I recalled that my cousin when to the city to shop and thought, maybe they have stick breads in there and off I went asking her to buy some. She couldn’t find one as well.
So, I’ve already decided to forget the sticks and just use the baguette. Time to let go, I said.
Then as the late afternoon came, as I await cooking time, a bread delivery van passed by our front gate and what do they have? Stick bread! Hah!
In no time while I marveled at how cantankerous and felicitous my life is I’ve already assembled and finished my Christmas appetizer platter.
Here. Enjoy.
Pate di Tonno*
yield: 2 1/2 cups
2 cans tuna flakes, drained
2 tbsp prepared mustard
1 cup heavy cream, chilled
2 tbsp brandy (optional)
1/4 cup unsalted butter
2 tbsp honey (or to taste)
1 tsp fresh lemon juice
salt to taste
pepper to taste
ground cayenne dash, to garnish
Combine all ingredients in a blender. Puree until smooth. Transfer to a glass jar or a non-reactive container.
Chill.
Serve with melba toasts, crackers or stick breads.
pate di tonno on sticks
* I am proud, very proud to say that I created this tuna pate myself, as inspired by Myrna Segismundo, a chef whom I really admire.)
eggplant caviar on toasts
Eggplant appetizer
(yield: 1 cup)
7 to 9 pcs grilled eggplants (big, purple asian variety)
4 to 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 to 1 tsp grated garlic
1/4 c caramelized onion slices, chopped
1/2 tsp dried chili flakes, chopped
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
1/2 juice of lemon, depending on your taste
12 basil leaves
1/4 cup grilled and peeled red capsicum
Peel off charred eggplant skin then roughly chop the flesh. Put the eggplant together with the rest of the ingredients in the blender. Puree to desired consistency.
Toast with grated cheese before serving on sliced baguette. Top with red capsicum as desired.
eggplant caviar on shooter glasses
(This appetizer platter arrangement is inspired by Blogger Caren Bayhon-Yraztorza who was featured in a February 2010 issue of Food magazine.)
