fried bocconcini, avocado hummus and jalapeno popper dip

I went to visit Brett's sister and brother in law a couple of months ago and we went Pinterest crazy. We came home from a mini Oktoberfest in Bloomington, and we decided to make three delicious appetizers.

Sweets are not my thing, it's the salty foods that always win my heart over. I was super stoked about cooking some salty dishes and spending time with Cassie. Cassie and Jeff are always a delight to be around.

While the guys watched TV, Cassie and I became masterminds in the kitchen. We fried, we diced and we mixed - it was awesome! We started off making fried bocconcini (mozzarella) and then we made an avocado hummus and a jalapeño popper dip. My personal favorite was the avocado hummus. It was addicting and so easy to make! I loved having appetizers for dinner, and it's something I totally suggest. All of the recipes are below!

Fried Bocconcini

 

  

Ingredients

• 3-4 cups peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• 2 lb. bocconcini (about 50 pieces)
• 4 eggs
• ½ cup milk
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 cups Panko bread crumbs

Instructions

1. Drain the cheese from its liquid and place on a paper towel to dry
2. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
3. Put the egg mixture, bread crumbs mixture and flour in separate bowls. To make the bread crumb mixture, combine the Panko bread crumbs with salt and parmesan.  
4. Roll the cheese in the flour, then into the egg mixture and coat with the bread crumbs, shaking off the excess after each step.
5. Repeat the breading process one more time for each cheese piece.
6. Pour the oil to a depth of 3 inches in a frying pan or fryer and heat at 350°F
7. Working in batches, fry the cheese until golden, about 45 seconds.
8. Transfer the fried cheese to a paper towel-lined plate and season with salt and black pepper.

Avacado Hummus

Ingredients

• 1 can of white beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 avocado
• A couple squirts of lime juice       
• 1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon of olive oil
• ½ teaspoon sea salt
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth

Jalepeno Popper Dip

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 1 package cream cheese
• ½ cup mayonnaise
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, grated
• 2 jalapeno peppers, chopped
• ¼ cup Panko bread crumbs 

 Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350
2. Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar cheese, 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese and jalapenos in a bowl and pour into a baking dish.
3. Mix the panko bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese and sprinkle over the dip.
4. Bake until the sides are bubbling and the cheese cheese has melted and turned golden brown on top, about 20 minutes.
   
   
   Stay beautiful,
   Marina