Thalias Tostones And Shrimp Party Boats Recipes

KIDS CAN MAKE: WALDORF CHICKEN BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• For the dressing: Whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, oil, vinegar, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl until combined; set aside.
• For the salad: Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet, and toast until lightly browned and fragrant, 5 to 7 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then break up into 1/4-inch pieces.
• To assemble: Toss the walnuts, chicken, apples, grapes and scallion whites together with the dressing in a large bowl until everything is well coated; season with salt and pepper. Scoop a scant 1/2 cup of the salad into each romaine leaf, and arrange 2 on each serving plate. Garnish with the scallion greens, and serve.

PINEAPPLE BOATS

Steps:

• Quarter a pineapple lengthwise, leaving the green top on each piece. Slice out the core and discard. Score the flesh down to the skin. Then run a knife between skin and flesh, to liberate the pieces. What you want is the whole thing to look like it's still intact, but be easy to eat in bite-size cubes. You can splash it with rum if you like.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill for medium heat.
• Slice the zucchinis in half lengthwise. Score the cut side of the zucchinis in a cross-hatch pattern to create 1/2-inch squares across the surface, making sure not to cut through the skin.
• Mix the olive oil with the Italian seasoning, garlic powder, 1 teaspoon salt and red pepper flakes if using. Spread 1 teaspoon oil mix on the cut side of each zucchini, dividing any extra between the zucchinis.
• Lightly oil the grill grates with olive oil. Place the zucchini halves cut-side up on the grill. Close the lid and grill until the skin side has dark grill marks, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Reduce the grill heat to medium-low and flip the zucchini cut-side down. Grill, covered, until softened, marked by the grill and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Flip the zucchinis again so they are cut-side up. Spread 1 tablespoon of pizza sauce onto each zucchini, then sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons mozzarella and a few pepperonis. Cover and grill until mozzarella is melted, bubbling and starting to brown at the edges, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle with more salt and Italian seasoning.

ROCKIN' CELERY BOATS

Steps:

• Cut the celery into 4-inch-long pieces, then slice off a thin edge at the rounded part of the stalk to help them lie flat while stuffing. Place them in a bowl of ice water and refrigerate until ready to stuff.
• In a bowl, toss the pecans with the honey, butter, cayenne and salt, making sure the nuts are well coated. Spread on a baking sheet, bake until nuts are toasted, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
• Chop pecans coarsely in a food processor. Add the cream cheese and process until smooth. Remove celery from the refrigerator, drain and dry well. Scrape cream cheese/nut mixture out of the food processor into a pastry bag fitted with a large star tip. Fill each celery boat with a generous amount of the mixture.
• Cut the jalapenos into thick strips, and then cut each strip in half at an angle. This should look like a sail. Garnish each of your celery boats with its red jalapeno sail.

STUFFED PLANTAIN BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut off the tips of the plantains, then make a slit along the back of each, cutting through the skin from tip to tip. Remove the plantain skins using your thumb. Lay each plantain on its side and slice off a thin layer on the back (the outer curved area), about 3 inches long and 1/2 inch wide. This will flatten the curved area and help the plantains sit on the cutting board without tipping over. Using a paring knife, make a 1-inch-deep slit along the middle of the front side of each plantain, starting from an inch away from one tip and stopping at an inch away from the other tip. Use your index or pinky finger to carefully widen each slit until you see the little black seeds in the middle of the plantain. Brush the plantains all over with about 1 tablespoon of the oil and sprinkle them with salt. Oil a baking sheet with another tablespoon of oil and add the plantains.
• Bake the plantains for 15 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F and continue to bake until the plantains are yellowish and soft to the touch and the tips, sides and bottoms are caramelized, about 15 minutes. Allow to cool on the baking sheet. Once the plantains cool, they can be easily lifted without breaking.
• To make the stuffing, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a small pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper and tomato and cook until softened slightly, about 2 minutes. Add the corned beef and stir to combine. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is heated through, about 3 minutes. Mix in the curry, thyme, granulated garlic, bouillon powder and cayenne pepper, if using. Let simmer for 2 minutes. Allow to cool until warm.
• Use a teaspoon to scoop the stuffing into the opening of each plantain. Eat the plantain boat like you would a hot dog.