I’m a self-proclaimed two-bite person. I want to try nearly every dish on a menu, which normally results in long drawn-out indecision and being the last person at the table to order. Instead, I’m drawn to free samples and buffets, purely because they perfectly compliment my two-bite personality.
Recently, I realized another option that worked well for my tasting habit: appetizers. Small and cute, two or three at a restaurant—or more, if sharing with friends—easily makes a meal for me consisting of the variety of flavors I crave.
But why stop at restaurants? Why not try to create my own at home? Excited, I pulled out a few of my favorite ingredients to make a tasty little finger food. After eat a couple, I discovered the flaw in my brilliant plan: If I like the homemade appetizer enough, I can easily double the recipe and eat the whole plate! So much for variety… Oops?
Roasted Bell Pepper Toasts
makes 32, serves 16 as an appetizer
Each individual component (the roasted pepper, the yogurt sauce, and the crusts) can be made in advance. Simply assemble just before serving.
8 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread
1 medium red bell pepper
pinch of salt
1 c. plain Greek yogurt
2 tsp chili powder
½ tsp garlic powder
- Preheat the oven to 350°. Using a shot glass or something of a similar size, cut four rounds out of each slice of bread. Cook in the oven for 3-5 min or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool.
- Preheat the broiler. Cut the pepper in half, and broil for 7-10 min or until the skin is nicely charred. (The blacker, the better!) Remove the pepper halves from the oven, and place them in a bowl. Cover the top with plastic wrap and let them cool for 5 min. Remove the skin and seeds, and dice the flesh. Sprinkle with the pinch of salt.
- While the peppers cool, stir together the yogurt, chili powder, and garlic powder in a medium bowl.
- To assemble, top each toast round with 1½ teaspoons of the yogurt mixture and a heaping ½ teaspoon of the diced pepper. Serve as soon as possible. (The toasts get soggy if the yogurt is left sitting on them for too long.)
When we go to dinner with our special friends both couples normally opt for tapa- tasting rather than each if us ordering a standard meal. Sharing our choices make the experience especially enjoyable and provides us with an opportunity try a bit of something that,in all probability,we’d never be adventurous enough to order for ourselves.
I love that idea! I definitely want to try something like that the next time I visit a new restaurant with friends, or even an old favorite. It’s easier to try new flavors when I’m sharing them with others!