In season

May produce

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Andouille Skewers

Andouille Skewers

A Cajun cookout skewer, the kind of thing that comes off the grill at a Louisiana backyard barbecue while the gumbo is finishing on the back burner. You take andouille (the heavily smoked, garlicky Cajun pork sausage) and cut it into thick coins, then thread them onto pre-soaked wooden skewers (or metal) with chunks of red and green pepper, red onion, and a few halved cherry tomatoes. Brush with a quick Cajun glaze of melted butter, garlic, brown sugar, hot sauce and Cajun seasoning. Onto a hot grill over high heat for just long enough to char the vegetables and bring the sausage shiny and sticky. Eaten straight off the skewer with a beer in the other hand, the smoke still hanging in the air.

Snacks 27 minutes Serves8
Parma Ham Mikados

Parma Ham Mikados

Parma ham mikados are the apotheosis of simple elegance: delicate filo pastry wrapped with thin Parma ham, buttered and mustard-enriched, then briefly crisped in a hot oven. The interior ham remains tender while the filo exterior becomes shatteringly crisp. Success depends on handling filo gently (to avoid tearing), using quality Parma ham (thinly sliced), and baking briefly enough to crisp without hardening. These must be eaten immediately; cold or at room temperature, they lose their appeal. The name "mikados" refers to the Japanese term for emperors, these are regal appetizers.

Snacks 17 minutes Serves12
Quesadillas

Quesadillas

Pre-cook any "wet" filling (mushrooms, chorizo, peppers) and cool. Cheese is grated. A dry, hot griddle or non-stick pan heats over medium heat. A tortilla goes on; cheese scatters over half; filling (if any) over the cheese; folded in half. Pressed gently with a spatula; cooked for 90 seconds until the underside is gold-spotted; flipped; cooked for 90 seconds more. The cheese should be fully melted and just starting to ooze at the edges. Sliced into 3 wedges; served with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, lime.

Snacks 22 minutes Serves4