Cheesy Wild Rice Stuffing Recipe

When I think of stuffing (or dressing), the picture that comes to mind is of day-old bread mixed with onion, celery, other vegetables, dried fruit and herbs. It's time for a change, and this year for Thanksgiving, I'm opting for a healthier but just as tasty version using wild rice, pumpkin, dried mango, cranberries, asparagus and walnuts.

For easier serving, I baked it in individual cups and covered them with a blend of Jarlsberg and cheddar cheese. That might make them a little less healthy, but it’s so worth it! 

Chili Stuffed Mushrooms (Vegetarian Appetizer Recipe)

If you thought chili couldn't be the basis for an elegant appetizer, give this recipe a try! I had leftover vegetarian chili, so I scooped it into stemmed crimini mushrooms. I baked them for 20 minutes, sprinkled on a combination of queso manchego and Oaxaca cheese and then baked them again until the cheeses melted.

After placing them on the table, I just turned my back for a few minutes and the appetizers were all gone. Everyone asked for more, and since these little bites are pretty nutritious, I had no problem obliging!

Tabouleh Stuffed Mushrooms (Mushroom Appetizer Recipe)

In this recipe, mushrooms are used as little receptacles for serving tabouleh. They make very refreshing appetizers, which pair perfectly with the beautiful weather we've had in the Bay Area. 

I pickled the mushrooms days in advance so the mushrooms aren't raw but still hold their shape and don't darken. The appetizers are assembled at the last minute and they make an ideal dish for a buffet-style party. We're hosting our  annual pool party soon, so I've been experimenting with fun, summer-y appetizers for the occasion and this mushroom dish is definitely going to make the list! 

Cantaloupe and Cheese Appetizer Recipe

I love Emmentaler cheese. It has mild, fruity and nutty attributes, which pair incredibly well with fruit. One fruit it particularly works well with is cantaloupe. Since I had both on hand, I caramelized the cantaloupe in a little butter and then alternately skewered it with cubes of Emmentaler on cocktail picks. I finished the cute bites with crushed pistachios.

These cheese appetizers are easy to prepare and get devoured amazingly fast too. They would fit quite well in a buffet style party. Even if you aren’t planning a party, take advantage of the wonderful fruit that's currently in season, because summer won’t be here forever!

Peach Comte Cheese Appetizer Recipe

I've had in mind for some time now to pair ripe stone fruit with Comté cheese. It's one of the most popular gourmet French cheeses, originating from the Jura region of France. It's fruity with a hint of nutmeg, while still tasting mild. To balance the flavors, I added sun-dried tomatoes, marinated red onions and a drizzle of spicy mint chutney. The peaches were so ripe and juicy that there was no need to quickly blanch them as the skin peeled off very easily.

Over the weekend, we ordered take-out food from one of my favorite restaurants, Shalimar in Fremont. We had a lot of leftover naans, so I used them the next day to make the cheese appetizers. Nothing goes to waste in our home!