Here are some great summer appetizer recipes you can use to freshen up your menu this season. As always, adding your own personal touch to make the recipe yours is a great way to plate truly unique food items and increase restaurant revenue!
Roast Beef Summer Rolls
Ingredients
1 large garlic clove, smashed
1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1 teaspoon Thai green curry paste
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons Asian fish sauce
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1/4 cup chopped mint
1/3 cup mayonnaise
4 cups coleslaw mix
1/2 pound rare deli roast beef, thinly sliced and cut into 1/2-inch strips
24 six-inch-round rice paper wrappers, plus more in case of breakage
Directions
In a mortar, pound the garlic to a paste with the brown sugar and green curry paste. Add the lime juice, fish sauce and 3 tablespoons of water. Stir in half of the cilantro and mint. In a small bowl, whisk the mayonnaise with 1 tablespoon of the green curry dipping sauce.
In a large bowl, toss the coleslaw mix with the roast beef and the remaining cilantro and mint.
Fill a pie plate with warm water. Dip 2 or 3 rice paper wrappers at a time in the water, then set them on a work surface to soften, about 1 minute. Spread a scant teaspoon of the curry mayonnaise on the bottom third of each wrapper and top with a scant 3 tablespoons of the roast beef filling. Roll the wrappers into tight cylinders, tucking in the sides as you go. Transfer the rolls to a plastic wrap–lined baking sheet and repeat with the remaining wrappers, curry mayonnaise and filling.
Just before serving, cut each roll in half and serve with the dipping sauce.
Crab Stuffed Grilled Bell Peppers
Ingredients
Cooking spray
12 mini sweet bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
8 ounces lump crabmeat, shell pieces removed
3 ounces whipped cream cheese, softened
1 tablespoon minced fresh chives
Directions
Preheat grill to high.
Coat grill rack with cooking spray. Arrange peppers, cut sides up, on grill rack; cover and cook 4 minutes or until well marked. Place celery and next 6 ingredients in a bowl; stir well. Spoon mixture into pepper halves. Sprinkle with chives.
Seared Steak Lettuce Cups
Ingredients
1/4 cup finely chopped English hothouse or Persian cucumber
1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more
1 (8-oz) flank steak
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
16 small crunchy inner leaves of butter lettuce, romaine, or endive
2 tablespoons chopped salted roasted peanuts
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint leaves
Directions
Combine 1/4 cup finely chopped English hothouse or Persian cucumber, 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions, 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, and 1 teaspoon finely grated peeled ginger in a medium bowl. Season to taste with kosher salt and set aside.
Heat a grill pan or a lightly oiled cast-iron skillet over high heat. Season an 8-ounce flank steak with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon chili powder. Grill steak, turning once, until charred on both sides, about 8 minutes for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 10 minutes.
Arrange 16 small crunchy inner leaves of butter lettuce, romaine, or endive on a large platter. Thinly slice steak against the grain, then cut slices crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Add steak to cucumber mixture and toss to mix. Season to taste with salt and more lime juice, if desired.
Divide steak salad among lettuce cups; garnish with 2 tablespoons chopped salted roasted peanuts and 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint leaves. Drizzle with Asian sweet chili sauce.
Keeping Your Menu Fresh
Updating your menu to ensure you have inventive ideas, selections and quality ingredients is vital to remain competitive. Offering seasonal items during different parts of the year keeps your menu fresh and allows you to keep your core menu items intact. For that, and other improvements, consider a merchant cash advance from Quikstone Capital Solutions to keeps things fresh and up to date. Quikstone Capital Solutions has helped restaurants like yours thrive and prosper, for more ideas to improve your bottom line download our free Restaurant Investment Guide.
