Autumn Inspired Appetizers

By: Bob's Red Mill | September 27 2018

Fall has arrived and it’s time for the party season to commence. Great food, great company, crisp, cool weather… what could be more invigorating? And what better way to kick off a great party than with delicious appetizers designed to tease the taste buds and whet the palate! Here are some of our top picks that are both tasty and nutritious, but they’re so good, you’ll forget that last bit completely.

5 Ingredient Zucchini Fritters

When you hear the word fritter, the most common thought is of apple or corn fritters. But why not change it up a little this season and try our 5 ingredient zucchini fritters instead? They only take about 15 minutes to prepare and 10 minutes to cook. And this recipe makes 12, so there is plenty to go around for a small gathering. For larger gatherings, it’s easy to double or triple the recipe so that everyone gets a taste. These crunchy, crispy little wheels of deliciousness are easy peasy, too. Start with shredded zucchini, eggs and organic unbleached all-purpose flour, and season with salt and cumin. Fry them up in your favorite oil, top with sour cream and chives and start passing them around the room. We guarantee they won’t last long at all.

Grilled Millet and Butternut Squash Cakes

Autumn Inspired Appetizers _ Bob’s Red Mill

In keeping with the squash theme, you can also try these grilled millet and butternut squash cakes on for size. These little gems are gluten free, high in fiber and vegan-friendly too. For the tomato chutney you can find panch phoron, and Indian spice, at a local Indian specialty market. These cakes are made with hulled millet and butternut squash and seasoned with curry powder, minced ginger, sea salt, mustard seeds, toasted pine nuts and plenty of fresh cilantro. The tomato chutney gets much of its flavor from the tomatoes. When you add in the panch phoron, ginger, brown sugar, ground cumin and chili powder, you can bet mom’s favorite diamonds that your taste buds will be well pleased! Sliced dates or golden raisins add just a hint of sweetness and rounds this dish off perfectly. You can serve these cakes hot, cold or at room temperature, it's up to you. No matter how you serve them, be prepared for demands for seconds. Better yet, prepare ahead of time and make a double batch!

Gluten Free Blooming Onion

Who isn’t a fan of the bloomin’ onion? This appetizer is a little twist on what you would traditionally find at your local steakhouse. Plus, it only takes 15 minutes of prep and 35 minutes to cook! We use a large, sweet Vidalia onion and coat it in a savory breading that is gluten free and downright amazing. The breading is made from garbanzo bean flour and baking powder, along with seasoned salt and a splash of vinegar. You can serve this appetizer with a veggie platter and your favorite dip or pair it with your favorite dinner dish and salad. Either way, this starter is so good you may not have room for your meal!

Heirloom Tomato Galette

This rustic and tasty free-form heirloom tomato galette is relatively easy to make. It does take some time, though, about 50 minutes to prep and an hour to cook. This recipe serves 6-8, so you may want to make extra if you have more people. Their free-form assembly is part of what gives it such a rustic appeal. All those imperfections are perfectly charming! Start by making the crust, using our unbleached white all-purpose flour and semolina pasta flour and stuffing it full of heirloom tomatoes, goat and feta cheeses, oregano leaves, sea salt and black pepper. Once it’s baked to a golden brown, top this homestyle delicacy with aged balsamic vinegar to finish and slice it into wedges to pass around to guests.

Cannellini Herb Dip

Cannellini beans are so versatile and can be used with so many different dishes. Beans are loaded with protein, fiber and lots of other good-for-you nutrients. Add in plenty of chopped parsley, fresh rosemary, garlic cloves, lemon juice and lemon zest for an explosion of flavor. Although this dip is very simple to make and requires only about 15 minutes of prep, it does take a bit of time to cook, roughly 60 to 90 minutes or so. But once the beans are cooked through, it's just a simple matter of blending your ingredients in a food processor until you reach the desired consistency, and serving it up with your favorite chips or crackers for dipping. You could also try it with some crisp, crunchy veggies if you prefer, the sky’s the limit! There you have it. Autumn appetizers we know your guests will be thoroughly impressed with. Enjoy!

by Bob's Red Mill