It’s that time of year.
Well, it’s Christmas, Hanukkah, Turkey Day too,
I’ve got parties to hit and a dish to debut.
But what do I bring? Oh, the shame, the gall…
It’s that same tired, tragic cheese ball!
Not another cheese ball, darling, no!
It’s rolled in regret and crushed pistachio.
I’ve schlepped it to parties from Boston to Queens
It’s haunting my dreams—and my buffet scenes!
But my cranberry meatballs were tragically cold.
And my pumpkin hummus? A seasonal joke.
So, this year I’m skipping the culinary shame,
I figured out a new way to play this game
I’ll show up bearing my tray with flair,
Because I’m bringing some international fare.
Delectable treats that I was able to score
From an international food store.
Yes, if you want to avoid those same old pigs in a blanket (they should be in a blanket, because they are tired!) or cranberry-pecan goat cheese balls (oooh, you stuck a pretzel in it so I could pick it up, how clever!), head to your nearest ethnic market, and look in the frozen foods section to see what kind of appetizers they’re offering. All you have to do is follow the instructions on the package and voila! You have an exotic and easy-to-prepare appetizer for your next get-together.
To help you get started, I’m listing a few places in the area and some of the items you might be able to find there. Don’t be intimidated. Ask the staff for help; they are usually more than willing to offer advice and will steer you in the right direction.
KIMCHI MART
510 NW 7th Ave., Fort Lauderdale
Kimchi Mart, Inc. was founded in Florida in February 2016. It has grown into a prominent Asian grocery chain across South Florida, known for Korean and Japanese products. There are also locations in Coral Springs, Pembroke Pines, Hollywood, Miami, and one is set to open in Palm Beach soon. From platters of freshly made sushi or Korean BBQ chicken to bags of pot stickers, dumplings, and baos, there are a variety of simple heat-and-eat treats that will wow your guests. My favorites include the 24 oz. frozen food package of Bibigo Mandu Pork & Vegetable Dumplings. These extra-large restaurant-quality dumplings are filled with savory pork mixed with cabbage, leek, onion, and green onion, thinly wrapped for bold flavor, pan-fry in just eight minutes for a crispy treat, or steam (or microwave under a damp paper towel) for a silky texture. Another showstopper is Hansang mungbean pancake ($7.99). Sprinkle a dash of sea salt on top after they’ve been fried or warmed up in the oven until crispy. Pair with a good dipping sauce.
PATEL BROTHERS
3248 N. University Dr., Sunrise
From two brothers opening a storefront in 1974 to a nationwide brand, Patel Brothers has grown into the largest Indian grocery chain in the United States. Try the Humza frozen samosa, 45 delightful pockets of dough filled with chicken (a veggie option is also available) and aromatic spices for only $19.79. Colonel Kababz frozen chicken seekh kabab family pack offers up 16 skewers of juicy poultry for $18.69. Both of these items cook up perfectly in an air-fryer. Himalayan frozen chicken momo is similar to Chinese bao. Just steam and eat, $7.69 a package. For something sweet, check out the Haldiram's kaju katli, an Indian dessert sweetened with honey, $13.19 for 28 pieces.
EUROPEAN MARKET
1541 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale
European Market is the first European grocery store in Fort Lauderdale, specializing in Eastern European fare. It offers a wide range of products from Latvia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Italy, Estonia, Moldova, Romania, Czechia, Greece, and Russia. It also has a curated collection of beers and wines. Imagine pork & beef dumplings like Babushka made ($14.99), or an order of blintzes with red caviar and sour cream ($22.99). Then wash it down with Kronenbourg Blanc, a refreshing French wheat beer with citrus and coriander notes, perfect for a crisp, light taste experience ($25.99).
EUROLAND
1835 W. Hillsboro Blvd., Deerfield Beach
What sets this large, clean store apart is its massive deli section, where you can get everything from a platter of appetizers to a tray of pastries to an entire hot meal, packed to go in minutes. Stop at DollarTree on the way home, pick up a tray, re-plate everything, and folks will think you’ve been slaving in the kitchen for hours. Tell them you couldn’t possibly share your grandmother’s secret recipe.
DORIS MARKET
And of course, we can’t forget Doris Market, with locations in South Florida, including Pembroke Pines, North Palm Beach, Sunrise, Coral Springs, and Boca Raton. It’s an authentic Italian-American market with a deli, fresh produce, fresh seafood, wines, specialty groceries, a bakery, and a caterer. Visit the deli and put together a charcuterie board, order antipasti, or order a platter of appetizers from the catering department.
Shopping for Latin food products opens up your options. There are three grocery chains catering to the Hispanic/Latin market: Sedano’s, Presidente, and Bravo. If you’re shopping for fresh food, any of these markets are good, but frankly, their frozen appetizer options leave a lot to be desired; most carry the same products you can get at Walmart. Some Bravo stores have a cafeteria where you can order hot food, and many of these have appetizer options.
APPETIZERS USA
If you want to get some Latin appetizers with an upscale flair and something more inventive than mini-tacos and taquitos, check out the appetizer selections from Appetizers USA. You order online and everything is sent frozen and packed in insulated containers. Among the most popular of the company’s Latin appetizers are chorizo-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, tamale cakes, and vegetable empanadas. The company also offers a selection of appetizers featuring French, Indian, Italian, Greek, and Asian cuisines, as well as American favorites. For more information, go to AppetizersUSA.com.
