Thai Peanut Sauce

We did a big Thai Food dinner last night for several friends. It was so good, and there was sooo much food! If you haven't tried cooking Thai food before, you'll be surprised at how easy and affordable it actually is.

Something we like to do as an appetizer is to dip sticky rice in peanut sauce. It's also great to dip spring rolls in it. I love this peanut sauce recipe (but of course I didn't take a photo, so I took this one off the internet):

INGREDIENTS:

1 Tablespoon Masaman Curry Paste

1 Tablespoon oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 Tablespoons chunky peanut butter

2 Tablespoons lime juice

3 Tablespoons Brown sugar

1 1/2 Cups coconut milk

1/2 Cup water

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika powder

Put the curry paste, oil and 2 Tablespoons of the coconut milk in a saucepan and cook for a couple of minutes until the oil starts to come to the top. Add the rest of the coconut milk and other ingredients. Adjust the salt and sugar to your preference.

The sauce will thicken as it cools, making it a great consistency for dipping.

Horseradish Sauce

This is Emeril Lagasse's recipe off of Foodnetwork.com

INGREDIENTS:

2 Cups Sour Cream

1/4 Cup prepared Horseradish, drained

1 Tablespoon minced Chives

1 teaspoon Champagne or white wine vinegar

1 teaspoon salt

Dash hot red pepper sauce

DIRECTIONS:

In a bowl, combine all the ingredients and blend well. Adjust the seasoning, to taste. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Italian Bread Dipping Spices

MMMMM!!!  If you have ever been to Carrabba's and loved their bread-dipping spices, try this recipe out.  I kept seeing the same copycat recipe on the internet, so I gave it a try.  It would be even better with fresh herbs, but I didn't have any on hand at the time, so this is what I came up with using all dried!  And it really tastes great with a bit of olive oil.  Just dip some yummy bread in it and enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 T dried basil

1/2 T dried parsley

1 T minced garlic

1 t dried thyme

1 t dried oregano

1 t ground black pepper

1/2 t kosher salt

1/2 t dried rosemary

1/4 t crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 t olive oil

Combine all ingredients in food processor, except olive oil.  Chop until all ingredients are about the same size.  Stir in olive oil.  

To serve:  Combine 1 1/2 t spices to 3-4 T olive oil on a plate and dip sliced bread in the mixture and enjoy!

Cilantro Sour Cream

Thanks Guy Fieri--This is a great variation on sour cream.  I think it would go well with any Mexican dish.  I made it with the Brisket Tamales.

8 oz Sour Cream

2 T chopped cilantro leaves

1 garlic clove, minced

1 lime, juiced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Combine together and cover with plastic.  place in the refrigerator and let flavors meld for 30 minutes, or until ready to serve.

Swiss Cheese Fondue

This REALLY is that good!  I love it!  Lots of fun if you are getting people together for appetizers.

2 Cloves Garlic (or more if you LOVE garlic, like I do!)

6 oz. Monterrey Jack cheese, grated

6 oz. Swiss Cheese, grated

1/4-1/2 C. flour (enough to coat cheese)

1 1/2 C. Apple Juice

1/4 t. nutmeg

1/4 t. pepper

In a fondue or crock pot, rub one clove of garlic around the inside of the pan.  Mince or press the other and throw into the pot.  Add apple juice, nutmeg and pepper and heat until hot enough to melt cheese.  Add cheese bit by bit, stirring constantly.  Keep warm.  Really good dipped with breads, apples and veggies.

Fabulous Fruit Dip

We made this dip for a brunch a while back, and it was SO good! It is one of Paula Deen's recipes from the Food Network (so, of course, it's really healthy...ha ha).

1- 8oz. pkg Cream Cheese

1 C Powdered Sugar

1 C Whipping Cream

1/4 C Granulated Sugar

1 Lemon, zested and juiced

Pineapple Juice

Soften cream cheese and whip with powdered sugar. Whip cream and granulated sugar together until it forms soft peaks. Combine beaten cream cheese, whipped cream, lemon juice and zest. Continue to beat, adding just enough pineapple juice for desired consistency. Serve with a fruit tray or fruit salad. We served it as shown above, and it was real fun!