Baked Goat Cheese and Homemade Pepper Jelly

Baked Goat Cheese and Homemade Pepper Jelly is one of those dishes that was absolutely inspired by the hosting skills of others. Some friends of mine have a lovely Christmukkah party annually that often includes the crowd-pleasing cream cheese with pepper jelly appetizer. In fact, they always have lots of fun old school apps and cocktails. Mike is one of those people who is good at guessing which spirit comes next in the trend book. He was mixing 60’s cocktails before Mad Men was all the rage. In fact, I’m still waiting on the rum explosion he swears is coming, because I believe him. Next to their Mad Men style revival cocktails you’ll find lots of appropriately 60’s snacks, including, the aforementioned cream cheese with pepper jelly, which is one of those appetizers that I forget all about in between Christmukkahs. It’s a funny little dish, and not particularly my style; perhaps I am even a little surprised to realize I absolutely love it. Then again, how could you not? Cream cheese and spicy sweet jelly as an excuse to have fresh baguette… Fair point, well made. So last Thanksgiving, when I was perusing magazines for recipes that might fit … Continue reading

Lemony Leek Meatballs

Well, January is turning out to be a month of unfinished business for Dirty Laundry Kitchen. I still owe the rest of the Hot! Tamale Dinner Party that I did for Christmas this year. And these Lemony Leek Meatballs are the last dish from my New Year’s Eve Party. The good news is that even though it’s late, I think you’ll enjoy the recipe all winter long. And it would be a great Super Bowl Party snack as well. As a little background on the recipe, I’m in love with my new book, Jerusalem. In fact, you’re getting a whole Jerusalem dinner party menu sometime soon. These meatballs were tasty and tender and light in flavor and great both warm and at room temperature. I highly recommend them. I made some modifications from the original, and I think they make things a touch easier, as well as a touch healthier. I doubled the recipe and formed them into true meatballs rather than the patties Jerusalem describes, mostly because I served them at a cocktail party and wanted quantity. And while there were many Lemony Leek Meatballs, they went fast! 6 trimmed leeks (over three pounds) 1 ¼  pounds ground beef 1 … Continue reading