Cannellini Beans in Mint Marinade

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler & Mindy Toomay)

1/3 cup EVOO
1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1/4 tsp. salt
Several grinds black pepper
1/4 cup minced fresh mint leaves
3 1/2 cups freshly cooked or canned cannellini beans, drained

Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a medium-size bowl.  Stir in the mint.  Add the beans to the marinade.  Gently toss to coat, then allow them to marinate at room temperature for several hours before serving.  Any leftovers may be refrigerated, but should be returned to room temperature before serving.

Sweet Red Pepper Strips with Artichoke and Caper Filling

(recipe from The Vegan Gourmet by Susann Geiskopf-Hadler & Mindy Toomay)

1 can (13 3/4 oz.) water-packed artichoke bottoms
1/3 cup minced red onion
2 Tbsp. capers, drained, minced
1/4 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. sweet paprika
Several grinds black pepper
2 medium red bell peppers

Drain the artichoke bottoms and mince them finely.  Toss with the onion, capers, and parsley.  Stir together the mustard, olive oil, vinegar, basil, paprika, and black pepper.  Toss with the artichoke mixture until well combined.  Set aside.

Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise.  Discard the stems, seeds, and white membranes and cut each half pepper into 3 lengthwise strips, taking care to create strips with a cupped shape that can hold the filling.  Spoon the artichoke mixture along the length of each bell pepper strip.  Arrange the filled pepper strips in a pretty pattern on a serving dish.  Serve at room temperature.

(I made these for Gretchen's Christmas party, and they were a hit - and a healthy alternative to the other appetizers, namely cheese plates and the like.  I cut my strips much smaller than described, but made sure to preserve the cupped shape as best as possible.  With smaller, less cupped strips, just mush the mixture together along the length of the strip with your fingers, much like sushi - the mixture is wet enough that it can be molded in such a way.)

Deviled Eggs

(I cobbled this together from internet recipes)

1 dozen eggs
1/3 cup mayo
2 tsp. dijon mustard
1 Tbsp. minced shallot
1/4 tsp. Tabasco sauce
salt and pepper, to taste
paprika, to taste

Place eggs in a large pot; cover with water by and inch or two.  Bring water to a rolling boil.  (You can put 1/2 tsp. salt or 1 tsp. vinegar in the water to help the shells become easier to peel.)  Turn off the heat, cover, and allow to sit for 12-15 minutes.

Drain eggs.  Fill pot with cold water and allow eggs to cool.

Peel eggs.  Cut each in half lengthwise.  Remove yolks, place them in a medium bowl, and mash them.  Set whites aside on a dish.  Add remaining ingredients to mashed yolks and mix thoroughly.  Spoon yolk mixture into egg white hollows.  Sprinkle lightly with paprika.

(Tangy and delicious!)

Melintzanosalata (Eggplant and Parsley Dip)

(recipe from Saveur magazine)

2 lbs. eggplant (about 2 large eggplants)
1/2 cup olive oil
1 green bell pepper, cored and roughly chopped
1 jalapeno, stemmed, seeded, and roughly chopped
1 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves
2 Tbsp. red wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, minced
salt & pepper, to taste
toasted pita, for serving

Build a hot fire in a charcoal grill or heat a gas grill to high.  Grill eggplants, turning, until charred and soft, 18-20 minutes.  [I just roasted the eggplants whole in the oven for about an hour.]  Let cool.  Peel eggplants; scoop out seeds.  Chop eggplants; drain in strainer for 30 minutes.

Heat 1/4 cup oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat.  Add peppers; cook for 10 minutes.  Add jalapenos and continue cooking until golden brown, about 5 minutes.  Transfer to bowl of food processor along with reserved eggplant, remaining oil, parsley, vinegar, and garlic.  Process until slightly chunky.  Season with salt and pepper.  Chill to meld flavors.  Serve with pita.

(Tangy!  I did not strain my eggplant, which cut time, but my dip ended up a little too watery.  Also, since I just roasted in the oven instead of grilling, my dip may not have been as smoky as intended.  But I enjoyed this, nonetheless, eaten on rice crackers and tortilla chips, as I'm trying to avoid wheat.)