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It’s summer. It’s hot. Too hot – I think the heat is to blame for my missing culinary mojo. There’s just something about 95 degree temperatures that makes turning on my oven a little less appealing than normal.
With all the heat, blue skies, and an 85 acre pond in our backyard, we’re kind of used to last minute entertaining. So we keep the fridge stocked with simple, fresh ingredients that can be transformed into delicious eats without too much cooking involved.
For our recent Fourth of July festivities, I decided to keep things pretty effortless and portable, so people wouldn’t have to be tied to the table while enjoying the food. One of the most well received items on the menu were these easy Greek Salad Skewers. With only 6 ingredients and minimal prep time, these Greek Salad Skewers couldn’t be easier – or cuter!
Now, here’s where things get a little fun! I want you to share YOUR favorite appetizer recipe that uses 6 ingredients or less (see below for specifics) for the chance to win a $600 gift card. I’ve teamed up with American Express and their Dinner @ 6 promotion to create simple appetizer recipes that use 6 ingredients or less.
Are you seeing a theme here with the number 6? Let me explain. American Express recently launched two cash back credit cards – Blue Cash Preferred and Blue Cash Everyday.
One of the most exciting benefits of the Blue Cash Preferred card is that Cardmembers receive 6% cash back for purchases at the supermarket – the highest cash back rate available for grocery purchases! With these new Blue Cash® Cards, there are no spend minimums, cash back caps, ongoing enrollments or rotating categories of cash back benefits. Which is a pretty sweet deal when used responsibly.
Greek Salad Skewers
Ingredients:
12 grape tomatoes
4 ounces feta cheese, cut into 12 (1/2-inch) cubes
1 mini cucumber sliced into 12 pieces
12 pitted kalamata olives
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 ½ teaspoons Za’atar*.
12 (4-6 inch) bamboo or wood skewers
Directions:
1. Thread the skewers starting with a tomato, then a piece of feta cheese, a cucumber and an olive. Repeat with the remaining ingredients.
2. Just before serving, arrange skewers on a platter, drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with Za’atar.
Notes:
- I highly recommend finding Za’atar. It’s such a great spice (a blend of sumac, sesame seeds and herbs) to have on hand. I love the brand Urban Accents because it’s flavorful and readily available at my local market.
Follow Jamie on Instagram. We love to see what you're baking from MBA! Be sure to tag @jamiemba and use the hashtag #mbarecipes!
Requirements for Participation
One winner will receive a $600 Gift Card from American Express:
1. Submit your favorite APPETIZER recipe that features 6 ingredients or less. You MUST cut and paste the entire recipe into the comment form. If you have a blog, please also provide a link to the post.
2. You may submit 2 recipes – leave each recipe in a separate comment.
Seasonings, spices and herbs, garlic, vinegars and oils DO NOT count as one of the 6 ingredients.
3.. Contest ends July 23, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST. Entries that do not follow the directions above will be deleted without notification.
4. Winner will be posted in a follow up post by July 29, 2011.
5. Contest open to US residents only.
6. Winner will be chosen via random.org and will have 3 days to respond or a new winner will be selected.
Additional Entries
If you also have a MAIN COURSE recipe that uses 6 ingredients or less, be sure to head over to goodLife {eats} and enter on Katie’s blog as well. Good luck!
Disclosure
This post and the giveaway are sponsored by American Express. The views and opinions expressed within this post are my own.
Edamame with Spicy Black Bean Sauce
Serves 4
Ingredients:
– 1 can black beans
– 1 tsp. red pepper flakes
– 1/2 tsp. chili powder
– 1 tsp. garlic powder
– 1 tsp. ground cumin
– 1/2 tsp. salt
– 1 package edamame and sea salt
Directions:
1. Heat a small saucepan on medium heat. Add black beans (do not drain beans). Fill the can about half-way with water and add to pan. Add in all spices. Simmer for 10-15 minutes.
2. Remove pan from heat and pour into a blender. Remove the cap from the lid of the blender*. Blend sauce together until smooth. Pour into serving bowl and serve.
3. To cook the edamame, I like to boil it in hot water for 2-3 minutes then drain the beans and sprinkle with sea salt!
http://eat-drink-love.com/2011/06/16/edamame-with-spicy-black-bean-sauce/
Thank you so much for hosting this fabulous giveaway. What fun! Here is my second recipe submission. Thanks!
Grilled Flatbread with Figs, Gorgonzola, Prosciutto, and Basil
http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2011/07/grilled-pizza-with-figs-gorgonzola.html
makes 2 long flatbread pizzas, serving 10-15 as an appetizer
2 prepared pizza doughs, that have rested at room temperature for one hour covered
8 oz fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced or in small balls
8 oz crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
1/2 large sweet yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
about 1 cup fresh black figs, cut into wedges or slices
3 oz prosciutto
1 cup fresh basil leaves
Heat grill over medium heat. Oil grate.
Roll dough into two long rectangles. Have all toppings next to grill. Place dough grill and cook until there are nice dark grill marks, about 3 minutes. Flip over. Quickly top crust with mozzarella, Gorgonzola, onions, and figs. Cook until cheese has melted and bottom of crust has grill marks. Remove from grill and top with prosciutto and basil. Cut into slices or squares.
Mexican Chili Cheese Dip
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
1 can Hormel chili with no beans (or home-made chili)
1 sm. yellow onion (1/2 c.)
3 green chili peppers, chopped into rings
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Chips
Mash and break up cream cheese into bottom of glass pie dish with a fork.
Top with chili, then a layer of onions and chili peppers.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese. Cover and refrigerate.
When ready to serve, microwave on High for 5 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips, salsa, and a side dish of sour cream garnished with a sprig of cilantro or parsley.
My favorite appetizer recipe is way too easy and good.
Way Too Easy Salsa:
Jar of your favorite salsa
16 oz of whipped cream cheese at room temp
Stir both ingredients together and pour into a bowl. Can be refrigerated for later eating or served immediately with crackers, corn chips, bread hunks, or eaten with a spoon.
Bean & Corn Salsa
4 Tablespoons Lime Juice
1 Small Red Onion (chopped)
2 Cans Black Beans (drained)
2 Packages Frozen White Shoepeg Corn
3 Cans (15oz) Petite Diced Tomatoes With Mild Green Chiles
Chopped Cilantro
4 Teaspoons Cumin
Salt/Pepper to taste
Southwest Chicken Lettuce Wraps
5 sheets of lettuce
1/3 cup chicken
1/4 cup black beans
1/4 cup corn
1/4 teaspoon red pepper (ground)
1/4 cup red peppers
Mix together everything except the lettuce in a small mixing bowl. Spoon desired amount of mixture onto a sheet of lettuce and roll up. Makes 5 servings
Tomato Bread
1 loaf french bread sliced
Fresh basil leaves
1 tomato sliced
Sliced mozzarella cheese
Garlic butter
Spread garlic butter on each slice of bread. Place a slice of tomato on the bread. Cover the tomato with 1 or 2 basil leaves. Place a slice of mozzarella cheese over the basil leaves.
Place the bread on a cookie sheet, and put it in the oven at 350 degrees until the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes. Enjoy!
BUFFALO CHICKEN DIP
INGREDIENTS:
8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese or ranch salad dressing
1/2 cup any flavor hot sauce
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese or shredded mozzarella
2 cans (9.75 oz. each) Chunk Chicken Breast in Water, drained
DIRECTIONS:
1. HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.
2. MIX in salad dressing, hot sauce, and cheese. Stir in chicken.
3. BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.
Sally’s Bruschetta (DELICIOUS!!!)
Combine:
1 cup Mayonnaise
1 cup grated Parmesan
Spread on slices of French bread or baguettes.
Mix:
3-4 chopped tomatoes
6-7 cloves of chopped or minced garlic (can use more/less depending on taste)
4 Tbs. chopped fresh basil
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Salt/pepper to taste.
Spoon mixture on top of bread slices and bake at 400 for 10 minutes!!
Balsamic Strawberry, Basil, and Goat Cheese Bruschetta
http://www.yummymummykitchen.com/2011/06/balsamic-strawberry-basil-and-goat.html
1 baguette, sliced on the diagonal and toasted
4 oz goat cheese at room temperature
1 pint/basket fresh strawberries, diced
2 tablespoons good quality aged balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
In a small bowl, stir strawberries with balsamic and basil. Spread goat cheese over bread slices and top with strawberry mixture.