‘Finger Food’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Recipes: Game Day Nachos {Or Any Day!}

September 21, 2012 · Narrative

Just about a month ago, my stepdaughter (The Ex’s daughter) was coming over for dinner and I was trying to menu plan. Because the kids weren’t with me during the day, I figured I would take advantage of the extra time and cook up a few different things.

I love planning a menu of finger food items, which is exactly why the appetizer section of a restaurant menu is always where I look first. And for the kids, planning an at-home menu of just appetizers is a chance for tasting many small bites, and at the same time, it gives me a chance to try out a few new recipes. So this particular night was all about the finger food. We opened up the coffee table, sat on the floor, found a movie we could all agree on (for the record, Soul Surfer, which everyone loved, especially Madeline, and what a good message for all), and chowed down.

Nick is a sucker for nachos. Any kind. I first spied this recipe for Big Dish O’Nachos in the April issue of Food Network magazine. It’s the first time I’ve made nachos in my cast iron skillet (and I do love another excuse to dig it out, although I hate cleaning it) and the first time I’ve seen a recipe that called for layering the cheese amongst the chips. Which totally make sense. I mean, really, who doesn’t need more cheese?

Although it has a couple extra steps, it really is super simple and didn’t take more than the 30 minutes the recipe called for. And we got through eating probably a little more than half of it (and would have eaten more had we not had two other dishes on the table, competing for real estate in our bellies). Whether you fancy a laid-back evening of appetizers in your living room, or are looking for the perfect food for Game Day, give these nachos a whirl.

Alright folks, that’s a wrap on the week. I have a to-do list a mile long that I have every hope of getting through. Well, getting through at least half of it anyway. xoxo

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Recipe: Caponata

April 28, 2011 · Narrative

I am a big fan of appetizers.

And finger food.

Which doesn’t always line up well with clean eating.

Luckily I recently became a bit obsessed with making caponata.

So I was able to get a finger food that is pretty close in terms of clean eating.

Another Charlie Sheen moment, but this time, it’s an epic win.

Slightly sweet.

Slightly salty.

And just this side of guilt-free eating.

I mean, look at all those vegetables you’re eating!

Good stuff, people, good stuff.

I didn’t measure how much it made in total, but I can tell you this…

It makes this much:

I gave two containers away and kept one for us here.

Go ahead and make some. And share. With your neighbors. They like that sort of thing. Be a good neighbor! Or share with your kids’ teacher. Just because. She liked that sort of thing. But keep some for yourself too.

I mean, charity begins at home, right?

I might pop in here between now and Sunday night. And surprise you. I might not. I am so behind on posts. Nutella brownies. Jam bars. A kid field trip. Pizza reviews. Oyster crackers review. An upcoming craft night. So much. But not tonight.

Project 365
April 28, 2011, Photo #117
Madeline loves the odd occasion when her big brother can pop into her school, and since today was Take Your Child to Work Day, and he went with me, today was one such occasion. She loves showing him off. I can’t blame her.

We do this a lot in our family, lying on the ground, looking up at the sky. Watching the clouds drift by. Picking out different shapes. Listening for animals. Enjoying the sky as the sun sets and the colors shift to dusk and eventual nightfall. It’s an awesomely free activity. As soon as the weather is warm enough, we’re popping the tent and camping outside one night. Another awesomely free activity. Heaven help us. Alone. Outside. In the dark. With everything else that lives outside. And the kids. I think I can. I think I can. I think… yes, I can.

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Mini Bacon and Cheese Toasts

June 22, 2010 · Narrative

I was going to say that I made these Mini Bacon and Cheese Toasts a few weeks ago, but when I went to go dig out the picture, I found it was a different case altogether. I made these on April 30th. Ouch. After I make a recipe I want to write about, I stick it on the side of the desk next to my laptop, so I don’t lose it. But I don’t always write about food, and before you know it, I’m telling you about a recipe six weeks later. Not all the time, mind you. Just sometimes. The trials and tribulations of a food writer, eh?

When I saw this recipe in a recent issue of Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food magazine, I knew it would be perfect for our (then) upcoming dinner with The Neighbors. After all, when a meal starts with an appetizer that features both bacon and cheese, it can only get better from there. It was super simple to make and a great, no mess finger food that I’d make again. I think the only thing that I’d change would be to swap out the pumpernickle bread it called for and use something a little milder like whole wheat or sourdough. I like pumpernickle just fine, but I think its strong flavor just overpowered the cheese and bacon goodness here, and we certainly don’t want to do that.

Project 365
June 22, 2010, Photo #115

When I cleaned out Nick’s backpack today, I not only found four spoons, I also found this birthday tag that they had displayed in the classroom. I love that it’s a cupcake. And yes, there might still be a little green dye on my finger. Just part and parcel of making a gorgeous rainbow cake.
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