Happy Mothers Day

We usually go over to my parents on Sunday to watch the Amazing Race. Today being the final episode and also Mothers Day, I put together some appetizers for the occasion.


First, some chili spiced almonds. This recipe was found on some random recipe application I have on my iPhone.

2cups almonds
2tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
some freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a pan on the stove. Add the pepper flakes and black pepper. Stir for a minute or so. Add the almonds and stir for about 8 minutes until the skin starts to darken and it starts to smell REALLY good. Let them cool before you try to sample them!


Next, just some cucumber rounds I put together with some things we had in the fridge. I peeled a cucumber and cut it into slices. Topped them with a dot of low fat veggie cream cheese. Half of them have a shrimp and dill, the other half - sundried tomatoes and matchstick carrots with paprika. Super easy to make and you could use so many different toppings. Artichoke hearts, smoked salmon, cheese... endless!


Finally, the olive penguins! This recipe was from Jason's cousin who got it from an aunt who got it out of a magazine. I only saw pictures of these little guys and did my best to recreate them. The feet and beak are carrots of course and I put a little line down their middles with cream cheese. The easiest way to do this was to let it soften a bit and then put some in a ziplock bag with the tip cut off. My guys look a little messy... I could have been more careful I suppose but I was worried the olives were drying out! You could also cut the tips off the toothpicks since they do get a little discolored when they're poked through the olive. I left them on because it's easier to pick one up.

MY REVIEW: These all turned out pretty well. I really like making artistic little things like this. I find it relaxing almost... or maybe hypnotizing is a better word. I'm glad they were enjoyed by all.

JASON'S REVIEW: I really liked the penguins because they were cute and they tasted like my favorite food *olives. (You don't say!)

*Jason's favorite food is actually lasagna

Mushroom Chive Palmiers

After purchasing the inccorect puff pastry last week, I searched for a recipe I could with it. This one was on the KRAFT website (one of my favorite websites for easy recipes):

1 Tbsp. oil

1 cup finely chopped onion

1 cup finely chopped mushrooms

1 tub (250g) PHILADELPHIA Light Cream Cheese Spread

2 Tbsp. chopped chives (I interpreted this as green onions on my shopping list - it seemed to work)

1 sheet (1/2 of 375-g pkg.) frozen puff pastry, thawed

1 egg, lightly beaten

HEAT oil in skillet on medium-high heat. Add onion and mushrooms (and why not put some green onion and black pepper in there cause I did!) ; cook 5 min. or until tender. Add cream cheese spread; cook and stir 3 min. or until melted and well blended. Remove from heat; cool. Stir in chives. (or not)

PREHEAT oven to 375°F. Roll puff pastry sheet on lightly floured surface to 25cmx35cm rectangle. Cut in half lengthwise to form 2 rectangles. Spread cream cheese mixture over rectangles, leaving 1-inch lengthwise border on sides.

ROLL in both long sides of each rectangle so they meet in centre. Brush with egg; fold in half. Press lightly; cover. Freeze 30 min.

CUT rolls into 1/4-inch slices. Place, cut-side up, on lightly greased baking sheets. Bake 15 min. or until browned. This last step was a little weird.... My rolls were long. Over 12". I would have had a zillion little pieces if I cut them 1/4" thick. Mine were about an inch thick and it still made more than the 20 it said it would make. Perhaps I rolled my dough too thin?

MY REVIEW: I sampled 2 with dinner and they were very tasty. The bottoms got a little dark but not burnt. These are packed and ready to go for the Oscar's!

JASON'S REVIEW: Laurel is the most gifted chef I know and her food tastes like magic and sunshine. They were very delicious. I need some more adjectives.