Welcome everybody to the October edition of the Crazy Ingredient Challenge! This has to be one of my favorite posts to write each month because it makes me “think outside the cookbook” and come up with something awesome from two unique ingredients that are not traditionally found in the same recipe. And I was so very excited to get the two ingredients this month. Started by Dawn at Spatula’s On Parade, we are a group that likes to think outside the cookbook and create some fun recipes each month.
With fall in the air, the group cast their votes and the ingredients were revealed: Apples & Chives. Before you read on, what was the first thought that came to mind using these ingredients?
My mind was blank. Sweet? Savory? It took some serious head scratching to come up with something for this. Apples are everywhere this fall and no matter where you look, there is a recipe calling your name. With chives? This was almost unheard of! But, I finally figured it out while driving to work one day.
As I drove, I passed by Paradise Bakery, I suddenly thought of my favorite sandwich there; the Ham & Brie Panini. It has ham, green apples & brie cheese pressed & grilled until the cheese is all gooey. It’s is absolutely incredible. I thought I could use this as my inspiration for my sweet & savory dish. So I came up with an appetizer that not only reflected my love for this sandwich, but also incorporated the fresh chives and a little something extra. These are my Little Bites of Paradise.
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Ham, Brie and Apple Won Ton Appetizer
Print recipe
Ingredients
- 2 Medium granny smith apples (chopped small)
- 1-2 tablespoon Pomegranate Vinegar
- 12 won ton wrappers
- 3 Slices black pepper Canadian bacon
- 3oz brie cheese
- chopped chives
Directions
| Step 1 | |
| Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. | |
| Step 2 | |
| Place the chopped apples in 1-2 Tablespoons of Pomegranate Vinegar. Set aside. | |
| Step 3 | |
|
Spray a mini muffin pan lightly with cooking spray. Lay the won ton wrappers in the cups, filling every other cup and pinch the 4 sides as you go so it forms a flower bowl. Pinch the sides, not the corners.  | |
| Step 4 | |
|
Sprinkle and equal amount of Canadian bacon on the bottom of the won ton cups. Place a small chunk of brie in each cup. Top with the apples, then with the chives.  | |
| Step 5 | |
| Place in the pre-heated oven for 15 minutes. Enjoy! | |
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I had some fresh chives from my garden that I had previously frozen. I also used Pomegranate vinegar to coat my apples and it is a product I stumbled upon the last time I was at my local Big Lots. If you know Big Lots you know products come and go. I found the vinegar and it sounded perfect for this recipe. Just a little sweet to go with the tartness of the vinegar and green apples. This vinegar was so good I went back to Big Lots the next day and cleaned them out. Well, I bought the last bottle.
Anyway, back to the appetizer. This one has fall written all over it with the apples. I could make big or little batches of the little bites and it’s easy enough to make for a quick get together. You can also make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them. Now I can have my little bites of my favorite sandwich whenever I want.
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Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook says
October 20, 2015 at 9:58 amHow elegant!
Lauren @ Sew You Think You Can Cook recently posted…CIC: Apples & Chives
Audrey says
October 20, 2015 at 10:24 amI need to get to the store right away to get some Brie to make these! or the Panini, both of which sound awesome. But I actually have some wonton wrappers in the fridge I need to do something with.
Audrey recently posted…Apple Pecan Brown Rice Salad – Crazy Ingredient Challenge
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm says
October 20, 2015 at 1:21 pmThese are so pretty and I love the flavors in them. Great job with this month’s challenge.
Wendy, A Day in the Life on the Farm recently posted…Couscous with Apples and Chives for #CrazyIngredientChallenge
Kelster says
November 1, 2015 at 2:27 pmI’m still distracted by your description of that panini. Sounds so good. Your little bites are so beautiful. Great appetizer.