The DIVA of TINY FOODS: 2/1/09

20090226

13 of my Favorite Tiny Foods (appetizers!) - Thursday Thirteen

I participate in a meme (group of bloggers who cover one subject each post date) called the Thursday Thirteen and since I happen to be eating right now I chose to post my 13 FAVORITE TINY FOODS (that's appetizers to you TTers who've not stopped by this blog before)!

So, here - not necessarily in order - are my top 13 Favorite Tiny Foods from Me (the Diva!):

Each one of these recipes is posted on a 3"x5" recipe card that I designed and some even have special holiday themes.

Yes! You are most welcome to download these and save them or even give them to your friends! In fact, I'll post a couple of my newest recipe cards because I really liked the designs for them as well as the food:

Chocolate Fondue for Valentine's Day
Gourmet Cheese Popcorn for your Oscar Party

If you're into designer martinis then stop by my cocktail blog, The Martini Diva, for the latest martini recipes and some of my own original concoctions!

HAPPY TT & BUON APPETITO, BON APPETIT & MAY THE FORK BE WITH YOU™!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here
View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

----------------------

20090223

TAPAS - History and Fun Facts

TAPAS TRIVIA

The word TAPA is derived the verb tapar, "to cover", Spanish origin.

According to The Joy of Cooking, the original tapas were the slices of bread or meat which sherry drinkers in Andalusian taverns used to cover their glasses between sips. Evidently they did this to prevent fruit flies from hovering over their sherry. Bar owners started to take advantage of this by serving salty meats to encourage more drinking!

Another version has the tradition of tapas beginning when Castile's King (Alfonso X of Castile or Alfonso the Wise) recovered from an illness by drinking wine mixed with small dishes between meals. After regaining his health, the king ordered that taverns were not allowed to serve wine to customers unless the beverage was accompanied by a small snack or tapas. Wonder if this is where Happy Hour began???

In León, a city in northwest Spain, an entire zone known as the Barrio Humedo is dedicated to tapas bars each serving their own unique dish!

Do you have any facts or interesting tidbits about Tapas? Have a favorite recipe you'd like to share? Post it in the comments below - The Diva of Tiny Foods is all about sharing our favorite recipes and foodie fun!

Follow me on Twitter as TinyFoodDiva
Follow me on Twitter as PopArtDiva
Friend me on Facebook
Pinterest Me!

20090220

OSCAR PARTY FOOD - Crab Cakes for the Nominees!

"There's no business like show business like no business I know
Everything about it is appealing, everything that traffic will allow
Nowhere could you get that happy feeling when you are stealing that extra bow

There's no people like show people, they smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold, you may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold, let's go on with the show"

There's no business like show business and this Sunday Hollywood celebrates it's own at the 81st Annual Academy Awards. Today is my last favorite recipe for Oscar Night parties - Crab Cakes for the Nominees - a little poke at the possible crabbiness of those who don't win.

But you'll be a winner serving and eating these great classic crab cakes while you enjoy the hoop-la in Hollywood. Don't forget to buy or mix up your favorite sauce!

Try out my other two favorite Oscar Snacks:
Oscar Night Cheese Bites
Gourmet Cheese Popcorn
And enjoy one of my Oscar/Academy Award Martinis:
The Red Carpet Martini
The Hollywood Martini
Oscar Fans Martini

It's also OSCAR NOSTALGIA WEEK at the PopArtDiva Baby Boomer Nostalgia Blog:
Famous Movie Lines, Quotes & Sound Bytes
Academy Award Nostalgia, Videos, Music and Moments
Best Picture Awards - Classic film clips
My 13 Favorite Best Picture Winners (Thursday Thirteen)
Academy Award Soundtracks/Oscar Songs

VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES
The Ballot boxes are on the right sidebar at The Martini Diva all week.

Click here for more info on the 81st Annual Academy Awards!
----------------------

20090218

ACADEMY AWARDS PARTY FOOD - Oscar Night Cheese Bites

For your Academy Awards Party this Sunday you want finger foods that are easy to make, easy to eat and go great with my Oscar Martinis and other favorite cocktails. These Oscar Night Cheese Bites are perfect Tiny Foods to make and serve.

They go great with wine, martinis, beer and soft drinks so you've got everyone covered and they're perfect little bite sized cheese balls that pack a lot of flavor. Serve them up with a nice plate of deli meats and your favorite crackers and take a break, plant your tooshie in an easy chair and enjoy the 81st Academy Awards Ceremony!

Famous Movie Lines, Quotes & Sound Bytes

Academy Award Nostalgia, Videos, Music and Moments

VOTE NOW FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES
The Ballot boxes are on the right sidebar at The Martini Diva all week.

-----------------

If you have a Tiny Food question, please feel free to ask me in a comment and I'll respond back here in the comments section or in a new post!

My Favorite Tiny Food Recipes at PopArtDiva.Com
All my recipes for food and drink at the PopArtDiva Bistro
Buy Great Products at The DIVA of TINY FOODS Shoppe!

20090216

OSCAR PARTY FOOD - Gourmet Cheese Popcorn!

You can't go to the movies without popcorn and you can't watch the 2009 Academy Awards without some special Gourmet Cheese Popcorn!

Here's a great recipe for some great Parmesan/Romano flavored popcorn to serve to the rest of the Oscar fans at your party for the 81st Annual Academy Awards.

If you need some great Oscar Inspired Martinis to go with them click over to The Martini Diva all this week for fun Hollywood style cocktails - martinis with bling and Red Carpet style!

WHILE YOU'RE THERE VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES
The Ballot boxes are on the right sidebar at The Martini Diva all week.

VISIT POP ART DIVA'S BOOMER BLOG THIS WEEK FOR MORE OSCAR MOMENTS, CLIPS, MUSIC AND NOSTALGIA

-----------------------

20090215

A LITTLE SUNDAY FOOD HUMOR AT TRADER JOE'S

Are you as big a fan of Trader Joe's as I am? I found this early this morning and thought you would get a giant kick out of it. And if you want to share the video with friends just click the little envelope icon at the bottom of this post.

P.S. Tomorrow I start posting my Oscar Appetizers for your Academy Awards Party!!

----------

20090213

VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERT - Chocolate Lava Cake

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and this is the last of my favorite Valentine recipes for this year. These Mini Chocolate Lava Cakes are just the ticket if you are looking for an over the top chocolate dessert! Rich and gooey they will satisfy the heart of any chocolate lover.

Need a cocktail for your Valentine's Day celebration? Stop by The Martini Diva™ for all my Valentine's Day Martinis! You still have time to get out there and get shaking in time to impress your Valentine tomorrow!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!

Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
Pinterest Me!

20090212

VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERTS - Chocolate Raspberry Tarts

Serve your Valentine a Tart from the Heart with these tasty, tiny Mini Chocolate Raspberry Heart Tarts. They're easy because the pie dough is pre-made and all you have to do is shape it into little heart shaped tart shells, pipe in a little classic chocolate ganache and top off with fresh raspberries and some powdered sugar and chocolate shavings! Drizzle a little raspberry coulee around the serving dish for some extra flair.

Really, chocolate ganache sounds complicated but it's easy-peasy! You can also make chocolate truffles from this ganache recipe and a score of other great chocolate dishes. It's simply a matter of pouring melted cream and butter over semi-sweet chocolate bits!

I've done this in several variations for all sorts of holidays and special occasions. I've used done is as a lemon meringue pie with a chocolate surprise, I've piped in sweetened cream cheese and topped it with strawberries - I've even used this shaped pastry idea for mini meat pies as a savory Tiny Food!

---------------------------

20090211

VALENTINE'S DAY DESSERTS - Chocolate Fondue

Nothing says love like dipping stuff in chocolate! This is a basic Chocolate Fondue Recipe I've used for years, one I started using way back in the seventies when fondue was a fad - remember those orange and lime fondue pots? In fact the recipe probably came with that pot, lol!

This recipe serving size will serve 2 perfectly - exactly what you need for an intimate Valentine's Day dinner for two.

A lot of recipes for fondue these days have you microwaving the chocolate. I do NOT microwave chocolate - it's just as easy to melt chocolate in a double boiler and you are less likely to burn and ruin the chocolate. If you don't have a double boiler you can use a regular sauce pan and an aluminum bowl that will sit on top of the sauce pan.

Feel free to get creative with your dippers - one of the most popular I've served with chocolate fondue is pretzel sticks and potato chips! Of course you want the standard fruits, marshmallows and cookies - but don't you ever wonder how great a Twinkie would be dipped in chocolate?

Psssst! Don't miss out on my VALENTINE MARTINIS!

Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
Pinterest Me!

20090210

VALENTINE'S DAY - Chocolate Creme Brulee Dessert

Chocolate Crème Brûlée

Crème brûlée is French for "burnt cream", it is also sometimes simply called burnt cream or crema catalana, or Trinity cream. It is a rich custard topped with a layer of caramelized sugar. The hard caramel topping is created by torching a sugar topping under a broiler or with a blowtorch which is the fun part! Nothing like using a little fire to heat up your Valentine's Day dessert, right?

This is a good recipe for a chocolate version Crème Brûlée - you can't do Valentine's Day Desserts without chocolate, am I right?

Rather drink your dessert? Then try this CREME BRULEE MARTINI.

Follow me on Twitter
Friend me on Facebook
Pinterest Me!

20090209

ROASTED RED POTATOES - Valentine's Menu Side Dish

I love oven roasted potatoes and this is my recipe for making them. These are the perfect side to go with the Oven Roasted Tri Tip Recipe I posted last Friday - your oven is already on and you can make both dishes at once!

Here's a fun little tip for adding veggies - cut them larger than the potatoes and roast them along side in the same dish! I did that with some purple cauliflower the last time and they turned out great, plus the color of the cauliflower added some extra visual punch.

NEED A LAST MINUTE VALENTINE'S DAY CARD?
Print Your Own Valentines for Less - Right now at home!

CONVERSATION HEARTS VALENTINE CARD
POP ART LOVE VALENTINE CARD

--------------

20090206

OVEN ROASTED TRI TIP - Valentine's Day Menu Entree

Here is the entree in my ongoing Valentine's Day Menu recipe marathon. Check the past few days for the appetizer, soup and bread courses! Desserts are coming next week!!!

The entree course is a juicy beef roast featuring a tri tip cut. The tri tip is often an overlooked cut of beef and one of my favorites. It's flavorful and can be quite tender if cooked properly. The key to the whole process is to get the heat up high, especially in the first ten minutes or so, to seal in the juices and flavor. I find that marinating overnight also helps to tenderize the roast.

And always remember to let you meat "rest" - meat will continue to cook after you take it away from the heat source and resting allows for this plus it helps keep the moisture in. Here's one of the most thorough explanations of why you should rest your meat I've ever found.

I like my beef pretty simple usually, just a little rub of garlic and rosemary - though you can leave the garlic out of this recipe for Lovers if you choose! And the next recipe post will be for the lovely roasted red potatoes that complement this roast quite nicely.

Don't forget, The Martini Diva is posting special Valentine's Day Martinis until the 14th of February.

THERE'S STILL TIME TO SEND YOUR SWEETIE A VALENTINE YOU MADE WITH LOVE!
Print Your Own Valentines for Less - Right now at home!

CONVERSATION HEARTS VALENTINE CARD
POP ART LOVE VALENTINE CARD

If you have a Tiny Food question, please feel free to ask me in a comment and I'll respond back here in the comments section or in a new post!

20090204

Cupid's Arrows BREADSTICKS - Valentine's Day Recipes

Before I post the recipe cards for the Valentine's Day Soup tomorrow I'm going to give you a fun idea for turning those refrigerated breadsticks into Valentine's Day Bread! It's always nice to have a warm roll to serve with your soup or salad.

Cupid's Arrows Breadsticks are simply ready made dough pieces that you shape into little arrows and bake according to instructions on the package! You toss on some favorite spices and bake. There - simple isn't it? You can make Cupid's Heart Bread too - just form the dough parts into a heart shaped ring and follow the remaining instructions.

Valentine Martinis for Your Sweetie!
The Martini Diva will be posting special Valentine's Day Martinis until the 14th of February!

NEED A VALENTINE CARD IN A HURRY?
Print Your Own Valentines for Less - Right now at home!
Got more than one Valentine (you rascal)? No problem - print as many as you want!
Check these Valentine's Cards out from my Easy Greeting Cards blog:
CONVERSATION HEARTS VALENTINE CARD
POP ART LOVE VALENTINE CARD

NEED A VALENTINE'S DAY TEE SHIRT OR APRON - OR EVEN A CUP?
POP ART LOVE on Tees, Home Decor and other Gifts!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE on Tees, Home Decor and other Gifts!

----------------------

20090203

Mini Seafood Casseroles - Valentine's Day Appetizer #2

Today is the second Valentine's Day appetizer recipe - Mini Seafood Casseroles. This one is easy enough for any would be lover and it's delicious too. This crab and shrimp appetizer is a perfect start for your romantic Valentine Dinner for Two and leads nicely into the rest of my Valentine's Day Menu I'm posting in the following days here.

Please, please, please use REAL crab - don't buy that horrible imitation junk! You can used canned crab if you must but never that fake stuff, okay? Yuck! Bad! Ick! Don't do that to someone you love or someone you plan on loving!

Don't forget your Valentine's Cocktails!
The Martini Diva will be posting special Valentine's Day Martinis until the 14th of February!

-------------------------

20090202

Dill Cucumber Crostini Hearts - Appetizers and Menus for Valentine's Day

It's that time of year again - the world is turning red, pink and white and hearts and cupids are everywhere! Valentine's Day is approaching and The Diva of Tiny Foods is no grump when it comes to romance!

Today I'm starting with a starter! That pun may be bad but this recipe for Dill Cucumber Crostini Hearts sure isn't. This is a fresh, simple appetizer that will start your Valentine Party off with a great bite.

I'll be posting 10 special recipes from today until February 14th just for those of you who want to express your love with food! Get ready, I'll be posting 2 appetizer recipes, an entire Valentine's Day Menu - from soup through dessert! In fact I'll be posting four (4!) special chocolate dessert recipes right before Valentine's Day!

And I haven't forgotten the cocktail lovers either - The Martini Diva will be posting special Valentine's Day Martinis until the 14th of February!

Need some great Valentine's Day greeting cards?
Print Your Own for Less!
Check these out from my Easy Greeting Cards blog:
CONVERSATION HEARTS VALENTINE CARD
POP ART LOVE VALENTINE CARD

And get in The VALENTINE SPIRIT with goodies & gifts from The PopArtDiva Boutique:
POP ART LOVE on Tees, Home Decor and other Gifts!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE on Tees, Home Decor and other Gifts!

-----------------

FOOD THEMED ART, APPAREL & GIFTS