You might already know that I have a thing for egg rolls and/or spring rolls. Basically anything that is fried until golden brown and crispy is my jam. I can’t resist a fried treat. Some of my favorite roll recipes on the site include, but are not limited to, Cuban Sandwich Egg Rolls, Loaded Baked Potato Spring Rolls, Ruben Sandwich Egg Rolls, and Beef Nacho Spring Rolls. It seems only natural that I add yet another great recipe to the growing list of egg and spring rolls to the site; this time around though with a breakfast twist. Egg rolls are getting the potato, bacon and egg treatment because who says you can’t have egg rolls for breakfast? I’m here to tell you that you can and you most definitely should. I’m a bad influence, I’m sorry. Now you have a valid excuse to devour these for breakfast because these are filled with hash browns, scrambled eggs, crispy bacon and lots of cheese. Everything we love first thing in the morning, right? They’re served with a spicy ketchup sauce (that is literally two ingredients) and are perfect for breakfast on the go, or great for a weekend brunch with friends and family. Mid-day snack? Yes. Late night treat? Even better. 
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Snacks
Greek Nachos
Don’t let anyone tell you that nachos can or should only be the Mexican variety. Tortilla chips with cheese sauce, some beef or chicken, salsa and guacamole sure is great and all, I’m the first to order it whenever I can, but maybe it’s time for nachos to get a Mediterranean makeover. Maybe it’s time they move over. Maybe we all need to back off Tex-Mex nachos for a bit, and think outside of the appetizer box. These Greek Nachos are nachos new and improved. Nachos 2.0. The new way we nacho this summer. If you’re a big fan of Mediterranean flavors like I am, then you’re going to love these, I promise. There’s no need to even think about it any longer. It’s a yes and yes again. It’s like that one time when I made Mediterranean Taquitos but even better than that. Or when I made Mediterranean Calzones, Mediterranean Meatballs, and Mediterranean Gyro Fries. As you can see, I have a thing for Greek flavors, especially when they’re mashed into new and exciting recipes that we’re not traditionally used to.
This is a great “family style” appetizer or snack to make for a crowd. So keeping that in mind, I think that this summer we should make a promise to each other to put down those phones, turn off the tv’s, walk away from our computers and just unplug from technology. Not all the time, not every single day even, but at least one day a week. Let’s take back our weekends and step outside again. Let’s play a board game with family and friends, make some good food (these Greek Nachos are a great starting point), and just have some good old fashioned fun. Like people used to. Like we used to before we got boggled down with how many likes we get on a photo or with what celebrity did what and when and what they said. Let’s forget about all that and take back our lives. I’m the first to admit that I’m always on my phone, always on my computer working nonstop, but now that I’m married, I’ve decided to take back my weekends and unplug for two days, as much as I can. I highly recommend it. It’s liberating and so incredibly rewarding.
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Caprese Fundido
It’s Memorial Day weekend, and so I thought what better way to celebrate such an occasion than with a hot melty bubbly decadent appetizer. You know me well enough by now to know that I really don’t need a specific occasion, let alone a reason, to eat melted cheese on a piece of bread. I can and will do it every single day of my life with no regrets whatsoever. Somehow though, I think the fact that it is a holiday weekend, helps this all go down a little smoother. Somehow I’m not the bad guy forcing you to endure a mountain of melted mozzarella with roasted tomatoes and homemade pesto with endless amounts of flatbread for dipping all for nothing because there is a specific purpose. It’s Memorial Day and how else can we show our patriotism? There is no other way believe me, I’ve checked. So you might as well not even try to fight it. Just give in to all this goodness and whip up a batch this Caprese Fundido this weekend. Your family will thank you, your friends will thank you, but most importantly, you’ll thank yourself.
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Cheers to the Weekend: Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sticks
Nothing screams the weekend more than a giant pile of buffalo chicken wings or crispy mozzarella sticks, but rather have you decide between one or the other, I’ve decided to make miracles happen for you because you can now just have both of them in one hybrid mega crunchy spicy cheesy stick. Just call me your crunchy spicy cheesy fairy godmother. These Buffalo Chicken Mozzarella Sicks are what dreams are made of, I’m certain of it, and if they’re not part of your weekend plans–hopefully said plans also involve cocktails or wine–then you need to rearrange your plans to include them. The recipe yields quite a few sticks, and before you start contemplating whether or not you should cut it in half or something crazy like that, stop and think about how amazing it would be if you made the full batch and enjoyed them all yourself. Maybe it’s been that kind of week and you just need to treat yourself, it is the weekend after all, but in case you’re trying to be good, then just invite some friends over, that way you guys can all be bad together. While you’re being bad, don’t forget to Cheers to the Weekend.
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Cheers to the Weekend: Avocado and Crab Toast
Recipes that don’t require any cooking at all, short of toasting some bread, are the perfect recipes for the weekend. Don’t you think? This post is for everyone out there that loves avocado toast just as much as I do, and at the same time, for anyone who rolls their eyes at avocado toast as well. Let’s face it, it’s everywhere and we probably all talk about it way too much, so I don’t blame you. But don’t worry, this isn’t your every day run of the mill avocado toast. There are no instagram worthy fried or poached eggs on top. We’re stepping up our game this time around because it’s St. Patrick’s Day today, and because it’s finally the weekend, and let me tell you that after a looooong work week, this is a much needed treat that requires all but 10 minutes, if that, to put together. Did I mention there is no cooking involved? It’s the perfect appetizer, starter, snack or even a light lunch or dinner for when you’re just too tired to cook or even eat. Too tired to eat, that’s a thing. Help me Cheers to the Weekend with this Avocado Crab Toast. You bring the cocktails and I’ll bring the toast. Deal? Deal.
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Beef Nacho Spring Rolls
I’m not one for football, I won’t even pretend like I am, but I am one for all of the snacks and drinks that come with the game. Any game for that matter. It’s not like we really need an excuse to eat nachos and wings and drink beer during the day, but it is nice to have a valid reason like sports in order to do it. It makes me feel better. Anyhow, since the Super Bowl is right around the corner, I figured it would be a great idea, and the best time if any, to share an over-the-top snack/appetizer recipe with you that you can make and enjoy on the big day. And y’all know how much I love anything over-the-top so this fits right in. So now here we are, faced with the dilemma of eating just one of these spring rolls or an entire plate full? I say go for the plate full. Why force yourself to make such a difficult, life changing decision? No one deserves that kind of pressure.
These will be a hit at all your game day festivities, but just incase you need some more appetizer inspiration, I’ll remind you of a few great recipes from the past. These Loaded Baked Potato Spring Rolls are like these nacho spring rolls, but filled with potatoes instead. If dip is the name of your game, then give this Kale Artichoke Dip or Mushroom and Queso Fundido a try! I’m also all about the sliders at parties (I’ve written a book on the matter, so it’s no surprise). It’s good thing for you I’ve crowned myself The Slider King of The World. These Surf ‘n’ Turf Sliders are the way to go, and a great place to read about my upcoming book (just not-so-casually throwing that in here, forgive me). Pot Roast Sliders, Seafood Sliders, Baked Potato Sliders, or even Fried Shrimp Po’Boy Sliders are also great dishes to invite to your party. Feel free to look through the “cocktails” tab on the site to look through all of the great drinks to serve along side your game day party.
If you make any of these game day recipes (or any other recipe from the site on any other occasion for that matter) be sure to let me know. Snap a picture and share it online with the #candidappetite or #thecandidappetite hashtags. I love to see your photos (it makes my day)! Be the coolest person on the block with the best appetizers. Make Susie next door jealous because Susie won’t have these amazing nacho spring rolls at her super bowl party. No she won’t, because she isn’t cool. But you can be. You’re smarter than Susie. You’re cooler than Susie. Make these spring rolls and beat Susie once and for all.
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