{easy appetizer: goat cheese pear slices}

 Last week, we had some friends over before heading up the street to Bar+Kitchen to check out their cocktails and DineLA menu.  Since I knew I wouldn't have much time to prepare something before they came over and we wouldn't have much to time to snack on it, I wanted to find a super quick appetizer to go along with our pre-dinner cocktail.  I spotted this photo on Pinterest a while back and I just happened to already have all the ingredients on hand.  

This is by far one of the quickest appetizers I have ever made and the taste is truly spectacular given how simple the ingredients are.  I was afraid the goat cheese would overshadow the entire thing, but the flavors of the tart cranberrries and sweet pear really balance out the creamy cheese.  The best thing about this dish is you could easily make it in countless different variations based on what you have available such as using apple slices topped with brie, slivered almonds and honey.

{super bowl mini 7 layer dips}

I really love the Super Bowl even though I don't watch any football otherwise.  The Super Bowl centers around great food, friends, funny commercials and a little gambling- so really what's not to like!?! Plus I work for a company that licenses and manufacturers vintage NFL product so I always have the ability to dress up and root for whichever team I want (usually its the Vikings or the Dolphins because they have the most fun team colors).

I spotted these great Super Bowl printables on Pinterest and I knew I had to find something to use them for.  Although decorative flags like this are normally used on cupcakes, I didn't really feel that cupcakes are appropriate game day food.  So instead I went the savory route and created this individual 7 Layer dip by following this recipe.  I have professed my love for regular food in mini form many times in the past so I wont go into that now, but if you wanna relive some of the past magic you can do so here, here & here. 

These individual layer dips are a great party dish since your guests can grab a dip along with a handful of chips and park themselves on the couch until half time. I recommend that you use a wider/shallower cup than the one I used and also make the layers a bit thinner for ease of dipping and getting all layers on a single chip.  You can download and print the flags by clicking here, then simply attach them to bamboo skewers or toothpicks with a dab of hot glue. 

{friday cocktail: kumquat whiskey sour}

I have literally never purchased a kumquat or used one in cooking and baking.  I don't even think I have ever ordered a cocktail with kumquat in it either.  So when Chris found this recipe for a kumquat whiskey sour, I figured this was my chance to try out a new citrus!  This cocktail does take a little extra preparation since you need to blend the sour mix, but the end result has a lot of citrus flavor to it and is perfect for anyone who isnt a big whiskey drinker (as well as those that are!)

Cheers!