Category Archives: Holidays & Parties

Salted Salmon with Avocado

Light and fresh appetizer, the perfect combination of soft creamy avocado with salted fish and lime. For this recipe I like to use steelhead trout. You can also use fresh salmon, but only if you are confident in the quality of the fish. If you have red caviar, try to add it to the salad....
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Tomato Cheese Salad

Easy and really tasty salad-appetizer for picnic or party. You can use any flavor chips you like, we prefer the cheese or onion flavor. Decorate with the chips just before serving or they will be soggy....
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Madeleine Cookies with Lavender

Another option for Madeleine cookies, this time with lavender flowers. Usually I don't make large portions of these cookies but if you have left overs, just warm them up in a microwave the next day. Or just cook half and cover the rest of the dough and leave in the refrigerator until the next day....
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Boquerones, Spanish Tapas with Anchovies

Boquerones is a type of Spanish appetizer (tapa) and the main ingredient is anchovies, small fish marinated in vinegar and olive oil. The first time I tried boquerones tapas was in Barcelona, you can find them everywhere in south of Spain, any bar or restaurant. This appetizer can be made with the addition of red marinated peppers, for example piquillo...
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Sunflower Kozinaki

Another Slavic sweet and easy recipe from my childhood that can be prepared quickly from sunflower seeds or nuts. Kozinaki (Gozinaki) are Georgian and Armenian sweets with walnuts and honey, traditionally prepared for the New Year and Christmas. Instead of walnuts they can be made from hazelnuts, sunflower seeds or sesame seeds. It's definitely kid's favorite!...
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Buns with Poppy Seeds and Raisins

I baked similar buns with my mom and grandmother on holidays or just for breakfast. We also made poppy seeds pirozhki and rolls so if you do not want to mess with each bun, you can roll out the dough, add poppy seeds and raisins for the filling and wrap the roll. Buns can be stored for...
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Baked Brie with Fig Jam and Nuts

This appetizer can be cooked two ways, with or without the puff pastry. If you decide to cook without puff pastry, then cut the cheese lengthwise into two parts, spread the jam with walnuts and thyme in the middle of the first part, wrap cheese tightly on all sides with foil. Cook in the oven for 10-15 minutes. Serve...
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