Dried Apricot Canapés with Herbed Goat Cheese and Serrano Ham with Dana Bate

Serves 8–10

If you can’t find Serrano ham, you could easily substitute prosciutto, or even speck for a smoky twist.

INGREDIENTS:
2 slices Serrano ham
4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
2 teaspoons milk
4 teaspoons minced chives
40 dried apricots

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the slices of Serrano ham on top.

Bake for 15 minutes, until darkened and crispy. Remove with tongs and drain on paper towels. The ham will crisp further as it cools.

Crumble into large shards.

In a small bowl, beat the goat cheese and milk together until fluffy. Mix in the chives.

Spread a small amount of the herbed goat cheese on top of each apricot, and top each one with a shard of crisp Serrano ham.

 

9781617732621“Bate’s writing is smart and compelling.” —Publishers Weekly

In this hilarious, insightful new novel from the author of A Second Bite at the Apple, a cookbook ghostwriter finds that she’s bitten off more than she can chew…

When Kelly Madigan is offered a job abroad right after reading a letter from her late mother urging her to take more risks, she sees it as a sign. Kelly’s new ghostwriting assignment means moving to London to work for Natasha Spencer–movie star, lifestyle guru, and wife of a promising English politician. As it turns out, Natasha is also selfish, mercurial, and unwilling to let any actual food past her perfect lips.

Still, in between testing dozens of kale burgers and developing the perfect chocolate mousse, Kelly is having adventures. Some are glamorous; others, like her attraction to her boss’s neglected husband, are veering out of control. Kelly knows there’s no foolproof recipe for a happy life. But how will she know if she’s gone too far in reaching for what she wants?

Praise for TOO MANY COOKS:

“Bate’s latest delightful foodie-obsessed work of fiction is a truly pleasant read. Her characters are warm, personable and so easy to relate to. Her writing style is not only super light, making the book a breeze to read and hard to put down, but the tons of amazing recipes interspersed throughout manage to make your mouth water.”– RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars Top Pick

“Bate’s third food-centric novel comes complete with a collection of coordinating recipes…The novel is a perfect choice for foodie fans of women’s fiction.” – Library Journal

“Bate once again combines the evocative power of food and recipes with the story of a young woman facing major change…Bate writes with gentle humor and poignancy about moving on after loss and heartbreak.”– Booklist