These mini cups are sure to bring a little whimsy to the appetizer spread. Chipotle peppers lend some smoky heat, with the sour cream providing cooling relief for anyone in need. You can also use chopped pickled jalapenos in lieu of the chipotles if desired. Cooked turkey can be a good alternative to chicken. And consider gathering up the extra tortilla bits, brushing them with oil, seasoning as you wish (try za’atar), and then toasting in the oven. They make a good sidekick to dips.
6 large organic whole grain tortillas
1/2 lb (225 g) finely diced cooked organic chicken
2 green onions, thinly sliced
1 plum (Roma) tomato, seeded and finely diced
1 small red bell pepper, finely chopped
1 Tbsp (15 mL) cider vinegar
1 chipotle chili in adobo sauce, minced
Salt, to taste
1/4 tsp (1 mL) black pepper
1 cup (250 mL) shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
1/2 cup (125 mL) sour cream
1 tsp (5 mL) lime zest
1 Tbsp (15 mL) lime juice
Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).
Using 3 in (7.5 cm) cookie cutter or similar sized object such as jar lid, cut rounds from tortillas. Press rounds into 24 mini-sized muffin cups, being careful not to tear the bread. Some of the sides may fold in.
In large bowl, toss together chicken, green onion, tomato, red pepper, cider vinegar, chipotle chili, salt, and pepper.
Place small amount of cheese in each cup. Top with chicken mixture and then sprinkle tops with additional cheese. Bake for 12 minutes, or until edges of tortilla cups are crispy.
In small bowl, stir together sour cream, lime zest, and lime juice. Place small spoon in sour cream mixture, which eaters can use to add a dollop on top of chicken cups.
Serves 12.
Each serving contains: 207 calories; 12 g protein; 7 g total fat (4 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 22 g total carbohydrates (1 g sugars, 1 g fibre); 288 mg sodium
source: "Pickup Artists", alive #386, December 2014
Tourtière is, for me, the dish that best represents Québec. It can be traced back to the 1600s, and there’s no master recipe; every family has their own twist. Originally, it was made with game birds or game meat, like rabbit, pheasant, or moose; that’s one of the reasons why I prefer it with venison instead of beef or pork. Variation: If you prefer to make single servings, follow our lead at the restaurant, where we make individual tourtières in the form of a dome (pithivier) and fill them with 5 ounces (160 g) of the ground venison mixture. Variation: You can also use a food processor to make the dough. Place the flour, salt, and butter in the food processor and pulse about ten times, until the butter is incorporated—don’t overmix. It should look like wet sand, and a few little pieces of butter here and there is okay. With the motor running, through the feed tube, slowly add ice water until the dough forms a ball—again don’t overmix. Wrap, chill, and roll out as directed above.
My love of artichokes continues with this classic recipe, one of the best ways to eat this interesting, underrated, and strange vegetable. Frozen artichoke hearts are a time-saving substitute, though the flavour and texture of fresh artichokes are, by far, much superior and definitely preferred.
Cervelle de canut is basically the Boursin of France, an herbed fresh farmer’s cheese spread that’s a speciality of Lyon. The name is kind of weird, as it literally means “silk worker’s brain,” named after nineteenth-century Lyonnaise silk workers, who were called canuts. Sadly, the name reflects the low opinion of the people towards these workers. Happily for us, though, it’s delicious—creamy, fragrant, and fresh at the same time. Cervelle de canut is one of my family’s favourite dishes. It’s a great make-ahead appetizer that you can pop out of the fridge once your guests arrive. Use a full-fat cream cheese for the dish, or it will be too runny and less delicious.