KITCHEN QUICKIES

RECIPES FOR GOOD FOOD FAST

TFG Publisher Amy Sestito serves up some easy hors d'oeuvres for a fresh take on dinner.

FOR STARTERS

Hummus

2 cans chickpeas, drained (reserve 3 tablespoons liquid)
1 teaspoon salt
2 garlic cloves
1/3 cup tahini
7 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
5 dashes Tabasco sauce

How-to
In a food processor, blend all ingredients until smooth. Refrigerate at least two hours. Serve with crackers or endive leaves.

Guacomole

4 ripe avocados (they should be firm to the touch but not too soft)
3 tablespoons lime juice (from fresh limes)
5 dashes Tabasco sauce
1 small red onion, diced
1 garlic clove, chopped finely
4 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup minced tomato, seeded and peeled

How-to
In a small bowl, mince all ingredients and mix well. Serve with toasted pita bread or chips.

Smoked Salmon Crostini

1 baguette, cut into 1/2-inch slices
1 pound smoked salmon
1 cup sour cream
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup minced fresh dill
Salt and pepper to taste
Capers and freshly chopped red onion, for garnish

How-to
Preheat the oven to 350.

On a baking sheet, placed the sliced bread. Brush with olive oil and then sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toast in the oven for approximately 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, sour cream and dill. Mix thoroughly.

To make each crostini, top a toast with 1 tablespoon of sour cream mixture and a slice of salmon. Serve capers and chopped onion as a garnish.

Stuffed Mushrooms

2 garlic cloves, minced
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 Italian sausages, hot or sweet, depending on taste
4 tablespoons flavored bread crumbs
1 tablespoon grated cheese
1 egg
1 pound mushrooms, stems removed and hollowed
1/4 chicken stock

How-to
In a frying pan, heat the oil and gently brown the garlic (about 30 seconds). Remove the sausage meat from its casing and brown with the garlic. Combine in a bowl with the bread crumbs, egg and grated cheese. Fill each hollowed mushroom with sausage mixture and bake on a sheet in an oven preheated to 325 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until hot.

Bruschetta

1 baguette, sliced
Olive oil, salt and pepper to taste
1 pint cherry tomatoes
3 tablespoons olive oil

How-to
In a preheated 350-degree oven, heat the sliced baguette spread with olive oil, salt and pepper to taste for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until toasted.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl, slice the cherry tomatoes and combine with olive oil, salt and pepper.

To serve, top each toast (crostini) with tomato mixture.