Cold meals / dishes - quick and easy recipes - page 73

Blanco tequila stands in for the usual gin in this twist on the classic Negroni, from Jacques Bezuidenhout and Food & Wine magazine.

In this healthy halibut ceviche recipe adapted from Bon Appétit, the lime-cured fish is tossed with raw tomatillos, avocado, a jalapeño pepper, green olives, onion, and cilantro.

For these lavash wraps, falafel combines with tomato, cucumber, onion, and hummus, with a tahini-lemon dressing. Game plan: Make a batch of Classic Falafel before you begin.

Sweet, ripe mango and aromatic fresh dill are the surprises in this easy shrimp salad adapted from Epicurious. It’s an elegant first course for a warm-weather dinner party or a summer luncheon outside on the terrace.

Strained low-fat yogurt with fresh basil, lemon, and garlic, perfect as a dip for grilled okra or other veggies.

In this easy, refreshing gluten-free tabouli recipe adapted from Whole Foods Market, cooked quinoa is seasoned and mixed with parsley, green onions, grape tomatoes, and cucumber.

An easy cream cheese dip (adapted from Chowhound community member DLAOKC) with the bite of grated radishes and some aromatic support from fresh dill and chives. You can make it a day or two ahead and store it, covered, in the fridge. As it sits, the radishes exude liquid, Just pour off and re-stir before serving.

Scallions, fresh dill, and chives provide the flavor for this easy cream cheese and sour cream dip. Serve with vegetable crudités, crackers, and chips.

“The whole point about cucumber sandwiches is that, unless done really well,” writes author Felicity Cloake (we adapted her recipe from The Guardian), “they’re as dull as the sum of their ingredients. They glory in their own delicacy.” Here, cucumbers, good butter, salt, white pepper, and white bread add up to the perfect tea sandwiches.

Tuna packed in olive oil is the heart of this deli-style tuna sandwich, with mayo, Dijon mustard, chopped cornichons and pepperoncini, and shredded iceberg on white toast.

Super simple and incredible flavorful, these one-bite stuffed pepper appetizers are very addictive. If you can’t find the Spanish marcona almonds in your supermarket or specialty food store, simply roast raw, skinned almonds with a little olive oil and coarse salt until golden. Find Peppadews at the olive bar of well-stocked markets, or in the grocery aisle next to the jarred olives. Serve with glasses of dry rosé or Barcelona-style gin and tonics.

Tartar sauce is mandatory for many fish dishes, but especially for Fish and Chips. This version results in a fresh, slightly chunky dipping sauce that will make you wonder why you ever bothered with the jarred stuff.

This recipe is presented by Eggland’s Best. Salt, pepper, mayonnaise, and paprika don’t always cut it when it comes to deviled eggs. Using fresh, refrigerated salsa gives the egg yolk filling a zesty zing that makes this picnic staple more exciting. If you’re not making your own salsa, look for fresh, pre-made salsa in your grocery store’s deli section. Mild, medium, or hot: It’s your choice. And sour cream lends a more Southwestern-style creaminess.

By dressing up classic Spanish sangría with Spiced Simple Syrup and tart cranberries, Chef Jose Garces of Philadelphia has created an ideal cocktail for a winter holiday celebration. It’s best to start the day before you plan to serve the sangría, by macerating fresh cranberries and diced Granny Smith apples in the simple syrup. Next day, add a bottle of Tempranillo rosé, and a half cup each of port wine, Cointreau, and cranberry juice. Chill, and let the party begin.

This delicate frosting has a nice cream cheese flavor and just enough sweetness to complement any cupcake or cake without overwhelming it. We even use it to top our Zucchini and Pine Nut Muffins. Make-ahead note: The frosting will last up to 1 week when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

New York food and beverage expert Nick Mautone turned us on to this cocktail, a blend of sparkling wine with brandy, warm spices, and a touch of brown sugar. It’s the perfect opening to a memorable Thanksgiving, a sophisticated and seasonally-driven cocktail for a Christmas get-together, and an ideal prelude to the cork-popping moment when the New Year rings in at midnight.