Oh So Appetizing

Tomato and Mozzarella Bites

A great way to serve tomato mozzarella salad. Great presentation. Always a hit. You can find the bite-sized mozzarella at most supermarkets. If they are on the larger side, cut them in half. Remember you can always change the amount of ingredients to work with your number of guest and make it your own!

10 Minutes prep

Ready in 10 Minutes

serves 3-4

Ingredients:

10 Grape tomatoes, halved

10 Fresh basil leaves

10 Balls of fresh mozzarella {often labeled Bocconcini}

1/4 Cup of balsamic vinegar

1/4 Cup Extra virgin olive oil

Salt and pepper to taste

10 Tooth picks

Directions:

1. Using a toothpick, spear a half of a tomato, a piece of basil, a mozzarella ball, and another half of a tomato. Repeat with remaining ingredients. 
2. To prepare your serving dish you can either pour the balsamic and extra virgin olive oil onto a plate, mix then add your mozzarella bites standing up or laying down. Or you can place the two into a bowl for dipping on the side {I personally like having the sauce right on the plate}

{Enjoy!}

Lobster Grilled Cheese

Cook Time for entire recipe:  {if cooking lobster} 30 minutes
Assembly: 15 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:

2 oz grated aged cheddar cheese

½ cooked Canadian Atlantic lobster {or you can substitue with crab meat}

2 tsp chopped parsley

2 tsp chopped chives

2 tbsp mayonnaise

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 tsp butter

½ tsp sea salt

¼ tsp white pepper

2 thick slices full fat brie cheese, (2 oz)

Directions:

Lobster can be purchased already steamed or boiled from any major supermarket, but if not

Place live lobster in large pot of boiling water.   If on hand, place a few slices of fresh lemon into boiling water – this will give the lobster a wonderful aroma.

Remove lobster from the boiling water after 5-6 minutes (this timing is for a 1 ¼ lb lobster), until it is cool enough to handle.

Remove lobster from shells, cut into approx. 1” pieces and divide in half, reserving one half for later use.  Take half the lobster meat and combine in a mixing bowl with grated cheddar, mayo and lemon juice.  Fold in chopped parsley and chives.

Place one slice of brie cheese on brioche slice and top with lobster mixture.

Place second slice of brie cheese on top of the lobster mixture and close sandwich with another brioche slice.

Butter both outside sides of the bread and place onto preheated griddle.

Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until golden brown.

Place sandwich into 350°F oven for 3-4 minutes or until lobster is heated through and cheese has melted.

Serve with a salad of your choice or spicy tomato soup.

10 Best Low-Calorie Cocktails

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Gin and Tonic

It’s always good to have a go-to drink, and unless you’re still in school, a vodka and Red Bull doesn’t count. Up your sophistication level while lowering your calorie count by ordering a G&T. There are 103 calories in 1 oz. gin and 3 oz. tonic.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Mudslide

This is the kind of sweet drink that sounds like it’ll set you back more calories than a hot-fudge sundae. In reality, it’ll cost you 184 calories. Maybe the Dude from The Big Lebowskicould have whittled his waistline if he’d drunk these instead of white Russians (338 calories).

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Vodka and Diet Lime-Flavored Soda Like Sprite Zero or Diet Sierra Mist

No, it’s not the most glamorous drink at the bar, but it is refreshing (and refreshingly low in calories—under 100!). Plus, it’s clear, so your dry cleaner will thank you if you spill any on your new party dress.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Sour-Apple Martini

We bet you thought this list was going to be filled with sippers like white-wine spritzers. Guess again. While we don’t recommend a Carrie Bradshaw-approved cosmo (it has more than 250 calories), that doesn't mean all martinis are off limits. Try a sour-apple one, made with 2 1/2 oz. sour mix and 3/4 oz. each vodka and sour apple liqueur, for a 160-calorie treat.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Champagne

Forget choosing between wine and beer. A 4-oz. glass of bubbly is only 85 calories. That’s about 15 calories less than a 12-oz. bottle of light beer or a 4-oz. glass of wine—and let’s be honest: The average glass of wine is usually at least twice that size.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Tequila and Soda

Cortes says to ditch the sugar-laden margarita and say viva la tequila on the rocks with club soda for a 100-calorie drink. Add a squeeze of lime to up the refreshment factor.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Vanilla Vodka and Diet Ginger Ale

For a drink that tastes like a slice of cake, order a diet ginger ale and vanilla vodka. If you use a single shot of liquor, it’s less than 100 calories—and sugar-free.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Sea Breeze

If you usually order a vodka-cranberry, try a sea breeze. The 4 oz. of grapefruit juice, 1½ oz. of cranberry juice, and 1 oz. of vodka will set you back about 180 calories.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Rum and Diet Coke

Ah, the classic rum and Coke—minus the, well, Coke. Enid Cortes, bartender at New York City’s Royal-ton Hotel, says a white rum and diet cola is a good choice to cut the calories. Or try a spiced rum to give the drink a kick.

Low-Calorie Cocktail: Mojito

Although a drink made with sugar screams “back away!” for the waistline-conscious, you can request half the simple syrup—or ditch it altogether. Mint, lime, and soda water are all naturally low-cal, a shot of rum is about 100 calories, and 2 tbsp. of sugar (half the normal serving) in the form of syrup is about 40 calories.