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October 15, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Moroccan Olives

Olives are great to serve with drinks before dinner. Of course, you can just buy good olives, put them in a dish and stop there. If you want something sensational, go the extra step and make these. You might be tempted to omit the vanilla but don’t. The combination of vanilla and all the spices […]

October 13, 2014
At Home with Friends

5 comments

Warm Hummus with Pine Nuts

Today you can find hummus for sale at every grocery store, big box store or snack stand. Most of this hummus is very thick and heavy with paste-like texture and very little taste. This recipe is nothing like that. It is rich, creamy, velvety smooth, and loaded with flavor! It comes together quickly and easily. […]

August 29, 2014
At Home with Friends

4 comments

Mini Turkey Meatballs with Yoghurt Dipping Sauce

This is one recipe that will surprise your guests. The assertive spices together with the cooling Yoghurt Dipping Sauce made this a hit at my party. They look like ordinary meatballs but the flavor is anything but ordinary. Make them really small. If people like them, they go back for more. If the spices are […]

August 20, 2014
At Home with Friends

4 comments

Turkey Empanaditas

Sometimes I get inspired by tasting something wonderful at a restaurant that I want to duplicate, and sometimes I get inspired by bad food. A few months ago I was at a party with a Latin theme. I love theme parties and Latin inspired food. I had been told that they were serving empanadas. I […]

June 25, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Mexican Baked Rice & Black Beans

This rice tastes exactly like the rice I rolled up in buttered corn tortillas on Olvera Street, when I was a child. It’s a fairly starchy, moist rice. I used extra long grain enriched rice which is readily available at supermarkets. In other rice recipes, I use basmati or arborio rice but not here. This […]

June 20, 2014
At Home with Friends

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Crab Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce

When I have a party, I like to serve something a little special. Crab Enchiladas with Roasted Tomatillo Sauce are very special! If you hate crab, are worried that your guests won’t eat it or it’s too expensive where you live, you can substitute shredded chicken (breast or thigh meat, or a combo). Whatever you […]