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Gouramanda

appetizers

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus with Pita Chips

Amanda Munden

Confession time: I am a diehard snacker.  Sometimes I will go all day without eating a real meal… You know that “6 small meals instead of 3 big ones” advice? Well, I take that to a whole new level. And, while I realize this isn’t the healthiest of habits, I certainly don’t intend on giving up snacking anytime soon. For that reason, I try my best to make it as nutritional as possible.  Hummus is one of my absolute favorite feel-good snacks. While some store-bought brands are indeed delicious, when you start making your own, you won’t want to go back. There are ubiquitous variations you can do, so let your creativity run wild!…

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Caprese Kabobs

Amanda Munden

This delightfully simple appetizer evokes fond memories of Italy and many of its gastronomic gems. Just look at it! It’s a red, white, and green beauty. For me, just saying the word “Italy” puts me in a happy state. Doesn’t it you? It is my favorite comfort food of all. I can close my eyes and almost taste the lemony, salty air of Lago di Como or the world’s most mouth-watering ravioli with brown butter and fried sage at a corner trattoria in Roma. Swoon….

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Crab Cakes with Lemon Chipotle Rémoulade

Amanda Munden

When people ask me what my favorite food is or what I like to cook most, I normally have to rack my brain (and my stomach) for an answer because, quite honestly, that is an impossible question!  It depends on the day of the week, my mood, the occasion, etc.  However, I would be lying if I said the image of crustaceans didn’t float across my mind.  I adore seafood, especially shellfish. Luscious lobster, shrimp, and crab are undoubtedly some of God’s greatest gifts to man.  And, speaking of crab, you cannot do me wrong with a perfectly moist-on-the-inside, crispy-on-the-outside crab cake. What follows is a recipe just for that. Served with creamy, tangy lemon chipotle remoulade, this crab cake just can’t be beat.   ¡Buen provecho!…

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The Perfect Cheese Board

Amanda Munden

Cheese. Queso. Fromage. Formaggio… Every culture and country speaks its own unique cheese language. It’s a universal understanding. And, out of every country I’ve ever visited, I have yet to find one I don’t like. It’s my number one indulgence, and reasonably so. Some people say they have a sweet tooth, well, not me…I’d take a sliver of Robusto over chocolate cake any day….

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Touchdown Jalapeños

Amanda Munden

touchdown jalapenos

Being a Texas girl, I have grown up around spicy foods for the majority of my life. In fact, I wouldn’t doubt chips and salsa were my first solid food. I love the stuff. However, I can still be kind of a wimp when it’s actually time to eat something like, say, a jalapeño. I have always thought eating should be an experience that is replete with pleasure, an act where the “happy-food dance” (more on that later) immediately ensues. Not a masochistic, half-insane endeavor into tearful oblivion……

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Gorgonzola-Stuffed Dates

Amanda Munden

*photo courtesy of Jonathan Garza  

I recently made these delicious dates for an open house event I catered for my brothers awesome home-building company Gossett Jones Homes. They are beyond simple to make yet elegant enough to serve at any party or gathering. The combination of the sweet date and the creamy, pungent blue cheese can’t be beat. Sometimes I like to amp up the flavor volume even more by wrapping them in salty prosciutto and popping them in the oven for a few minutes. Just divine!

To make the job even easier, look for dates that are already pitted!…

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Coming Soon!

Amanda Munden

Hi Foodie Friends and Future Followers!

Gouramanda will be coming soon! Thank you for your patience as I am very new to the convoluted yet exciting blogging world. I am thrilled to begin sharing delightful dishes from my kitchen to yours. See ya soon!

-Amanda