LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- Plenty of you may be having parties or inviting guests over during this holiday season, and there are ways you can make sure your appetizers stay off the naughty list.
Rebecca Buerkle with the American Heart Association joined THV11 at Noon to share some recipes:
Spring Vegetable Rolls with Shrimp
Peanut Sauce
-3 Tbsp. smooth, or, crunchy peanut butter (no-sugar-added)
-3-5 Tbsp. water
-1 clove garlic (finely chopped)
-1 Tbsp. hoisin sauce
-1/2 tsp. hot sauce (optional)
Spring Rolls
-18 frozen, cooked shrimp, peeled and deveined, about 6 ounces
-4 cups water in a sauce pan
-1 cup fresh cilantro (stems discarded)
-1 carrot (peeled, shredded)
-1 small cucumber, peeled and cut in half lengthwise, into 1/8 inch slices and then into thin matchsticks 2-3 inches long
-1 small zucchini, cut in half lengthwise, then into 1/8 inch slices and then into thin matchsticks 2-3 inches long
-1 1/2 cups mung bean sprouts
-1 cup fresh mint (stems discarded)
-3 lettuce leaves, (any variety but iceberg, due to firmer texture), cut in half
-6 8 1/2 - inch dried round rice paper wrappers
Directions:
1. Combine the peanut butter, 3 tablespoons of water, garlic, Hoisin sauce and hot sauce (optional) in a small bowl. Mix with a fork, cover and microwave for 20-30 seconds (don’t go longer or it could bubble over and make a mess). Remove from microwave and mix well.
2. Fold the bottom half of the rice paper wrapper over the filling. Holding the whole thing firmly in place, fold the sides of the wrapper in.
3. Then, pressing firmly down to hold the folds in place, roll the entire wrapper horizontally up from the bottom to the top.
4. Turn the roll so that the seam faces down and the row of shrimp faces up. Place it on a dish or plastic container and cover loosely with plastic wrap. Repeat with the remaining wrappers and fillings. Leave ¼ inch between each spring roll on the sheet so they don’t stick together.
5. Replace the water in the pan or dish with hot tap water as needed.
6. If you are not eating them right away, store them on a dish or in a plastic container that’s roomy enough to hold them without touching. Place a damp paper towel over them to keep the rolls moist. Cover with plastic wrap or the container cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
7. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water to the sauce to get a less thick texture.
8. Thaw the shrimp and set aside in a bowl or plate.
9. Place the cilantro leaves, mint leaves, mung bean sprouts, carrot, cucumber and lettuce leaves each in separate bowls or plates.
10. Arrange them in the following order around a large cutting board or other flat surface: rice paper wrappers, shrimp, cilantro, zucchini, cucumbers, carrot, bean sprouts, mint, and lettuce.
11. Place a clean, damp kitchen towel on your work surface. Fill a medium frying pan or wide, shallow dish large enough to hold the rice paper wrappers with hot tap water.
12. Working with 1 wrapper at a time, completely cover the wrapper with water until it is soft and pliable, about 15-30 seconds. Remove from the water and place it on the towel, keeping it as flat and unwrinkled as possible.
13. Working quickly, lay 3 shrimp half an inch apart in a horizontal row in the middle of the wrapper.
14. Lay a cilantro sprig on the shrimp, then add 1 Tablespoon zucchini and 1 Tablespoon cucumber over the shrimp, followed by 1 tablespoons carrot, a small handful of bean sprouts (about 2 Tablespoons), 2-3 mint leaves, 1 sprig of cilantro, and half a lettuce leaf. Be sure and spread these evenly over 3-4 inches, with the matchstick vegetables lining up, so they don’t make holes in the delicate rice wrapper and the spring roll has a uniform shape when done.
Roasted Red Bell Pepper and Artichoke Tapenade
Ingredients:
-12 oz. roasted red bell peppers (rinsed, drained if bottled)
-7 oz. canned, quartered artichoke hearts (rinsed, drained)
-2 oz. sliced button mushrooms
-3 Tbsp. chopped, fresh basil OR 1 Tbsp. dried basil (crumbled)
-2-3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice OR 2-3 Tbsp cider vinegar
-2 Tbsp. chopped red onion
-2 medium garlic cloves (halved)
-2 Tbsp. olive oil (extra virgin preferred)
-1/4 tsp. salt
Directions:
1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the bell peppers, artichokes, mushrooms, basil, lemon juice, onion, and garlic until coarse.
2. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl.
3. Stir in the oil and salt.
Chile-Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms
Ingredients:
-Cooking Spray
-24 medium button mushrooms (about 1 pound)
-4 oz canned, chopped green chiles (drained)
-1/2 cup shredded, low-fat sharp Cheddar cheese
Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
2. Place the mushrooms with the stem side down on the foil. Lightly spray the mushrooms with cooking spray.
3. Bake for 10 minutes.
4. Transfer the baking sheet to a cooling rack. Turn the mushrooms over. Fill each with the chiles. Sprinkle with the Cheddar.
5. Bake for 5 minutes, or until the Cheddar is melted. Remove from the oven and let stand for 3 minutes so the flavors blend.
Serving Size: 3 Mushrooms