our favorite appetizers

Hummus with Curried Cauliflower and Caramelized Onions
Adapted from Food and Wine Magazine (August 2015) by Soaring Hawk Vineyards.  We really lightened up this delicious, flavor-filled appetizer.  You can make everything ahead of time so it is very easy for entertaining!
 
Hummus (see recipe below)
Curried Cauliflower (see recipe below)
Curried Caramelized Onions (see recipe below)
Extra virgin olive oil
Pita bread, naan or crackers for serving
 
Prepare hummus, cauliflower and caramelized onions.  Spread hummus on plate or shallow dish.  Top with cauliflower and onions, drizzle with olive oil.  Serve with pita bread, naan or crackers.
 
Note:  If you have prepared the cauliflower and onions ahead of time, we suggest that you bring them to room temperature or heat them up in the microwave just a bit (30 seconds-1 minute) before placing on the hummus, just so they are not cold right out of the refrigerator.
 
Hummus
You can use store-bought hummus, but this recipe from Weight Watchers Community is easy to make - and it's healthy and delicious!
5 tablespoons Tahini (Mediterranean sesame paste)
1 tablespoon hot water (or more to create desired consistency)
4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
3 cloves garlic, minced
½ teaspoon salt
1, 15-oz. can garbanzos (chickpeas)
 
Mix first 5 ingredients in a glass bowl until combined.  Process garbanzos in a food processor until smooth.  Add Tahini mixture to bowl of food processor with garbanzos and process until smooth, adding additional warm water if needed to achieve desired consistency.
 
Curried Cauliflower
½ head fresh cauliflower, trimmed to florets
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon curry (add more if desired for a more pronounced overall curry flavor)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
 
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.  Place cauliflower florets on a baking sheet, drizzle with olive oil, curry, salt and pepper.  Mix together to coat well.  Bake for 30-35 minutes or to desired doneness.
 
Curried Caramelized Onions
2 medium onions, sliced
2 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
½ teaspoon curry (add more if desired for a more pronounced overall curry flavor)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
 
In a large sauté pan, cook onions in olive oil, curry, salt and pepper over medium heat until caramelized, about 20-25 minutes.
 
Wine pairing note:
This appetizer pairs perfectly with Soaring Hawk’s barrel-aged Viognier, "Barrique Blanc" or a lightly oaked Chardonnay.

Grilled Asparagus with Prosciutto & Blue Cheese
We love this appetizer paired with a dry and refreshing Soaring Hawk Rosé. Serve straight off the grill or make ahead and serve at room temperature - it's perfect for make-ahead entertaining!

12 fresh asparagus spears, washed, trimmed and cut into 2 1/2- to 3-inch pieces
2 oz. Prosciutto, cut into 2-inch strips
2 Tablespoons blue cheese, crumbled
olive oil for drizzing
freshly ground black pepper

Wrap the asparagus in a damp paper towel and microwave for 1-2 minutes, to desired doneness. For each asparagus piece, lay out one 2-inch strip of Prosciutto, set an asparagus piece on top of Proscuitto crosswise, then put a few crumbles of blue cheese along the side of asparagus and wrap the asparagus and blue cheese with the Proscuitto. Place in a grill basket if you'll be grilling, or on a baking sheet to broil in the oven. Repeat with the remaining asparagus spears.

Lightly drizzle the Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus spears with olive oil and sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper. Place on the grill or in the broiler for about 3-5 minutes, until golden brown and the blue cheese sizzles just a bit. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.

Serves 12-18, depending on how many pieces you get out of the lengths of your asparagus spears. Serving size is 2 Proscuitto-wrapped asparagus spears.

Notes:  If you're trying to impress, you may want to make long pieces ensuring that all pieces include the tips of the asparagus and save the remaining stems for another use. If it's just a Wednesday night on the deck, use the stems too!
A little blue cheese goes a long way, so use an amount that suits your personal taste. Or try goat cheese, feta, or your favorite cheese.