MUSHROOMS
We all have that crafty family member who knits beautiful sweaters, the co-worker whose baking skills makes Martha Stewart look like an amateur, or the friend of a friend who makes their own illegal booze (we’re talking moonshine—making beer and wine is legal). Do-it-yourself hobbies are rewarding whether you’re making seasonal jams from your own homegrown strawberries or you just decoupaged half the surfaces in your apartment. Luckily for those of us who aren’t The Next Great Baker and a far cry from those rednecks making mash in the backwoods of Kentucky, there are kits for us to buy and try our hand, and hopefully impress our overachieving peers, at making all sorts of foods and beverages.
It’s always a good thing to have a few tasty hors d’oeuvres in your repertoire that you can whip together in no time. Whether you’re having friends over for cocktails, bringing a dish to a potluck or planning an elegant starter for a romantic meal, simple hors d'oeuvres with a big “wow” factor always come in handy. For the amateur cook, crostini are a great place to start. They’re versatile, travel well, easy to assemble, and if you top them correctly, are a definite crowd pleaser.
This recipe for an herbed goat cheese spread is a fantastic base, on top of which you could put just about anything, such as caramelized onions and sautéed mushrooms, an arugula and radish salad, crispy prosciutto and grapes, or some roasted rainbow peppers. The goat cheese provides a delicious creamy sweetness with a lemony kick and is an easy pairing for other toppings.
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