There are plenty of reasons to make appetizers and party food this time of year. Whether you are gathering around the T.V. with friends to watch football or hosting a holiday party at your home, hand-held snacks are the name of the game. I’m sure some of your go-to appetizers are delicious, but be prepared to knock some off of your list (and table) to make room for this Rosemary Asiago Pull-Apart Bread.
This cheesy, buttery pull-apart bread is out-of-this-world delicious but there are few things to keep in mind before taste testing.
Make sure you are working with crusty bread. Fluffy, airy bread is difficult to cut for pull-apart purposes, so make sure you buy a dense loaf for slicing. Once you’ve picked out your perfect loaf, try this trick for cutting the bread.
Place the bread on your kitchen counter between two cutting boards (it helps if they are the same thickness). Place a damp paper towel under each cutting board to keep them from slipping while you slice the bread. Then cut 1 inch slices diagonally across the bread, from end to end. Your knife will stop once it hits the cutting board, ensuring that you aren’t cutting all the way through, leaving the bottom in tact. Cut 1 inch slices diagonally in the opposite direction to form diamonds in the bread. These cuts are what make the bread easy to pull apart.
With a generous portion of shredded cheese and butter added, wrap the pull-apart bread in aluminum foil and bake for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and the bread is golden brown and crisp on the top.
When you’re at the grocery store, be sure to grab some extra napkins and maybe (definitely) a second loaf of bread – your first attempt won’t last long. Thank your go-to appetizer recipes for their service and welcome this party-perfect pull-apart bread into your savory snack circuit.
Using a bread knife, slice top of bread into 1/2-inch diamond cuts. (See tip below.) Set aside.
In a food chopper, blend butter, rosemary, garlic and salt. With a small spatula, spread butter inside each of the slices of bread.
Fill bread cuts with shredded cheese.
Spread remaining butter over top of bread. Wrap in aluminum foil
Bake until cheese is melted, about 20 minutes.
Recipe Notes
To slice bread without cutting all the way through, place the bread on the counter between two cutting boards of the same thickness, about 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick. Place a damp paper towel under the cutting boards to keep them from slipping. Cut 1 inch slices diagonally across bread from end to end. Your knife will stop at the cutting board to ensure that you do not cut completely through the bread, leaving the bottom intact. Cut 1 inch slices diagonally in the opposite direction to form diamonds.
Summertime is party time. Whether you’re hosting a Labour Day barbecue for extended family or are inviting all the kids’ friends over to celebrate an endless summer, we all have a full calendar this time of year. When planning for summer soirees, make sure you put homemade deviled eggs on the menu. Deviled eggs are always a crowd pleaser. Whether you are making your grandmother’s no-frills recipe or adding mix-ins like bacon, jalapeños, or smoked salmon, this egg-cellent app will fly off the table.
Pimento cheese is good on (or in) just about everything – and deviled eggs are no exception. In the United States, it’s not surprising to see this delicious spread mixed into egg yolks for a cheesy twist on the standard deviled egg. Top them with crispy, crumbled bacon and a little fresh dill for a next-level appetizer.
If you already have plenty of avocados in your kitchen for avocado toast and smoothies, try adding them to your deviled eggs. Top each avocado deviled egg – or Green Devil as they are sometimes called – with salsa and a sprig of cilantro. Serve them on Cinco de Mayo, gameday, or at summer potlucks.
Dill Pickle Deviled Eggs
If you’re a pickle lover then this recipe is for you. Have you ever added sweet relish to your deviled eggs? Try adding tangy dill pickles instead and see which version you like more. We topped these dill pickle deviled eggs with even more pickles (we found that baby dills work best for garnishing purposes), for a tangy treat that belongs on the buffet table year round.
“If it’s not broken, don’t fix it” holds true for this classic deviled egg recipe. You’ll find this creamy, protein-packed appetizer on Easter Sunday tables, at backyard barbecues, and family reunions alike. Use your Hamilton Beach® food processor and egg cooker to perfect this go-to appetizer.
Looking for a simple vegetarian side dish or snack? Let me introduce you to baked asparagus fries. These “fries” are baked in the Easy Reach Toaster Oven and couldn’t be easier to make.
First, make a 2-for-1 spread that helps breadcrumbs stick to the asparagus before baking and works as an easy dip for the fries (any leftover spread would be delicious on salmon, burgers, or your favourite sandwich). You only have to dirty one bowl – score.
Mix mayonnaise, parmesan cheese, parsley, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Then brush asparagus with the mayonnaise mixture and roll in breadcrumbs (we used panko because they brown beautifully and add a nice crunch) until fully coated. The Test Kitchen found that thick asparagus work best with this recipe, so steer clear of the pencil-thin stalks you can sometimes find at the grocery store.
Place the asparagus on a baking pan and bake at 425 degrees for 12 to 14 minutes until golden brown. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and you’re ready to dip and dunk.
Whether you need a hand-held vegetarian appetizer for game day, the perfect addition to brunch, or a side dish to serve alongside fish or chicken during the week, baked asparagus fries fit the bill.
Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
Place popped popcorn in a large bowl.
In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt black candy melts in microwave following package directions. Pour over popcorn and stir until popcorn is evenly coated.
Spread popcorn in an even layer in parchment-lined pan.
While popcorn coating is still wet, sprinkle with colored sprinkles. Place eyeballs on top. Let candy coating set to harden.
