Appetizers and Small Plates

Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers

We all have a repertoire of appetizers that we make year after year. These recipes are family favourites that we look forward to making and sharing. Sometimes, it is nice to change things up a bit. This recipe for Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers was developed because I was looking for a way to incorporate lean ground chicken into a lighter first course or appetizer. The final result was this recipe for Chicken, Millet and Spinach Appetizers – a delicious, attractive and lean recipe.

Millet was chosen as an ingredient in this recipe for several reasons – it binds well with the delicate texture of the ground chicken and it is also gluten-free and inexpensive. Millet is an ancient seed that one-third of the world uses in their diet because it is rich in iron, B vitamins and calcium. The chlorophyll from the spinach and parsley tints the ground chicken mixture to a unique green colour. This makes the appetizers a colourful addition to the holiday season due to their garden-fresh appearance. I encourage you to try this delicious appetizer – not only for the holidays but all year around.

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Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas

By Denise Pare-Watson

This recipe for Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas is Grey Cup Party food at its best! It is quick and easy to put together, but more importantly, delicious! They are little pizzas made in a handheld form. Make lots – your guests will be clamouring for more.

Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas | urbnspice.com

Make lots! They will disappear very quickly!

I was involved in a food challenge a few years ago that wanted us to develop original recipes for the Little Potato Company. On my blog, you will find the results of my creativity including a family-sized version of Smashed Potato Pizza, as well as Sausage and Potato Stuffing, Bacon Cheese Potato Cups and Potato Crusted Quiche (all gluten-free recipes). I have re-invented the Smashed Potato Pizza and made it into small appetizer sized pizzas. These Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas have the crispy edges that are so appealing and flavourful. Toppings are kept simple given the well-seasoned smashed potato base; sliced grape tomatoes, chiffonade of basil, sliced green onion, mozzarella and bocconcini cheese, and crispy bacon bits. Don’t forget to serve the Mini Sized Smashed Potato Pizzas with Dressed Up Sour Cream….

Pickle Pie, Please!

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

What can I do when my adorable three-year-old grandson asks me to make him a Pickle Pie? His Momma was not sure where he came up with the idea for Pickle Pie. Apparently, he babbled about pickle pie for a whole day before she sent me this endearing video. To be honest, as a chef, I was very intrigued and as a grandmother, I would do anything for the little guy. I am always up for a challenge, so I set to work on figuring out how to fulfill his plea for pickle pie.

Presenting: The Pickle Pie Video Request

When I started my pickle pie quest, I wanted to develop a recipe with little children in mind. No fancy ingredients, just good tasting food that would appeal to all ages. Potato, cheese, pickles and pastry evolved into the key ingredients and when combined together, an irresistible flavourful potato filling was the end result. The flaky pastry just added to its overall appeal.

I made two versions of this recipe – one was miniature pies and the second version was small turnovers that are the perfect size for a little guy to hold. Look under the “What Else Can I Do With This Recipe?” section to see the variation – miniature Pickle Pie turnovers.

I had fun with this unique request and I am delighted with the results. My taste-testers (my other daughter and her little ones) gave me a thumbs-up and an “Omgawd – we all adored the pickle pies!” If you try making these pickle pies – tell me what you think. I enjoy hearing from all my readers….

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

Sometimes inspiration can be derived from necessity. Have you ever gone to the grocery store to purchase a specific ingredient or item and it ends up to be something entirely different than what you expected? This recipe was developed due to a case of mislabelling. I actually needed to buy mild Italian sausage, however, the package was mislabelled and I bought a spicy version instead. Not wanting to waste food, my original meal plan was altered to accommodate this Spicy Sausage and I created the following Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry with Greek Yogurt Sauce.

The ingredients for this dish have originated from all over the world: Hot Italian sausage; Chinese Napa cabbage; Canadian mushrooms; Greek yogurt sauce and Asian inspired seasonings. It all comes together into a balanced fusion dish. I encourage you to try it as it is a delicious, quick and nutritious meal.

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry | urbnspice.com

Spicy Sausage and Cabbage Fry served in a flour tortilla

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Blenditarian Meat Turnovers in a Shortcrust Pastry

By Denise Pare-Watson

BLENDITARIAN CHALLENGE SERIES

Meat pies and turnovers are almost a religion in some parts of the world – the Australian Meat Pie is a very delicious example. My Blenditarian Meat Turnovers in Shortcrust Pastry is a meat-filled pastry, which is similar to the Australian Meat Pies. This recipe for meat turnover has been given a Blenditarian makeover with the addition of minced mushrooms and vegetables.

My favourite choice for the pastry is shortcrust dough because of its sturdy, crispy and buttery characteristics. When a pastry is eaten out of hand, a sturdier, lean pastry is most suitable. In this post, I will guide you through how to make a Blenditarian Meat Blend and a shortcrust pastry, which includes a gluten-free option. The tips and techniques provided will simplify the overall process to inspire the chef in you.

Jump to Meat Turnover Recipe

Jump to Shortcrust Pastry Recipe

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All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist

By Denise Pare-Watson

BLENDITARIAN CHALLENGE SERIES

Prelude: Blenditarian.Com has initiated a monthly challenge that incorporates their Blenditarian approach into creative and fun dishes. To clarify for my readers, a Blenditarian is “one who believes the mighty, meaty mushroom makes meals more delicious, nutritious and sustainable.” This approach stretches ground meat by adding finely chopped mushrooms to create a flavourful and more nutritious dish. The theme for the month of July is all about incorporating “The Blend”(mushrooms + meat) into a “Fiesta” dish. A fiesta is defined as a festival, a carnival, or an excuse for a big party or gathering. When I think of a Canadian festival, poutine is always on the list of menu items. For this reason, I am sharing a recipe for All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist.

Skip to Poutine Recipe

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All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist | urbnspice.com

All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist: Caramelized Pork, Mushroom and Maple Topping and All-Canadian Poutine Gravy

The Caramelized Pork, Mushroom and Maple Topping for the poutine incorporates the ‘blend’ in an All-Canadian way. It includes crispy bacon lardons and maple syrup that is used to deglaze the pan. Of course, the gravy that tops the plate is an important component of this dish, and you will find that recipe below, as well. Poutine gravy has a unique colour that is made from a combination of beef broth and chicken broth. This creates the iconic golden brown colour of poutine gravy.…

All-Canadian Poutine Gravy

By Denise Pare-Watson

There are many Poutine Gravy recipes out there, however, everyone needs to be cognizant of the depth of flavour and complexity of many of these recipes. Bearing that in mind, you will find the following All-Canadian Poutine Gravy recipe simple, easy to follow and very tasty.

Poutine gravy has a unique golden brown colour that is the result of a combination of beef broth and chicken broth. The beef broth alone is too dark, and the chicken broth is too light, but a blend of both produces the characteristic colour of poutine gravy. The flavourful gravy that you will create from my recipe can be used on almost anything and is particularly good on my All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist.

All-Canadian Poutine with a Blenditarian Twist

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Duck Fat Potatoes with Smoked Sea Salt

By Denise Pare-Watson

The Inspiration of Urb’n’Spice Series

If you want to make something truly delicious to serve as a small plate offering or on a casual family platter, try these Duck Fat Potatoes with Smoked Sea Salt. It is one of those foods that you will say, ‘this is the best thing that I ever had!’ Easy to make, easier to eat! Make more than you think you might need – they will be gone in a flash!

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Silky Strawberry Balsamic Soup with Yogurt Drizzle

By Denise Pare-Watson

One of my most popular culinary teaching classes has consistently been my “Soups, Simplified” course. The students always indicated in their feedback that they were blown away by how much they learned in this class. As well, they pledged that they would never, ever dispose of vegetable scraps or peelings again after completing the course. The class always included several treats for the students. For example, this Silky Strawberry Balsamic Soup with Yogurt Drizzle was a hit! It was served at the beginning of the program as an amuse-bouche prior to starting the class discussion. I thought I would share it this easy-to-make recipe with my readers since it is also very popular for Valentine’s Day, as well as luncheons or bridal and baby showers. This elegant gluten-free soup is served chilled and can be made in minutes with fresh or frozen strawberries.

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Dressed Up Sour Cream

By Denise Pare-Watson

This simple recipe was inspired by All-Dressed chips. I like the rounded blend of spices in that addictive snack. I followed the same idea in creating this recipe for Dressed Up Sour Cream, combining a few pantry items with the addition of fresh or dried herbs. I serve this delicious mixture with so many things: baked potatoes, potato chips, appetizers and snacks such as Game Day Savoury Potato Wedges and Parmesan Pita Crisps and Dry Roasted Crispy Chicken Wings with Honey Garlic Dip.

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