Tag Archives: appetizer

15 Totally Tempting Ways to Make Tramezzini – your favorite new Italian finger sandwich!

tramezzini - italian finger sandwiches

As you know, toast is trendy AF, but what about Tramezzini? Well, ummm what the heck are tramezzini you say? If you’ve never heard of these before, let me fill you in. In Italy, tramezzini are known as little finger sandwiches, sort of like the tea sandwiches we have here in the USA. Rather than boring fillings like egg salad and cucumber-cream cheese, these scrumptious little white bread encased sandies are filled with italian goodness like crispy prosciutto, parmesan and soft boiled egg. Sounds amazing, right?? THEY ARE! Continue reading →

Food Network Facebook Live Episode 5 – How to Craft the Perfect Cheese Plate

Tips and tricks on how to build the ultimate cheese plate by mackenzie smith of grilled cheese social!

If you tuned into The Food Network’s Facebook Live this morning, you might have seen me make one of my favorite things in the world – a super gorgeous, out of control cheese plate! As I promised, I wanted to follow up and share my favorite tips and tricks on how to make the prettiest, yummiest, and easiest cheese plate possible.

So let’s get to it! Continue reading →

Pineapple Upside-Down Baked Brie – The Perfectly Cheesy Retro Tiki Appetizer

Pineapple Upside-Down Baked Brie - the perfect retro tiki appetizer full of delicious cheese!

A few months ago, I had a food tour grilled cheese pop-up in Chicago for About.com. Besides making about 700 grilled cheese sandwiches for lots of hungry ad agents, the boyfriend and I also ate and drank our weight in the deliciousness that Chi-town had to offer. One of the nights my dearest pal Joanna Miller, from Wisconsin Cheese, took us out and showed us how a real mid-westerner did the city. So like big city people, we uber’d out to Logan Square to begin our adventure! to meet her at Bang Bang Pie where we had… you guessed it… PIE!

Having started our eating tour on a sweet note at Bang Bang Pie, where we had two pies and a grilled cheese (whoops), we then headed out to get our salt on with some ice cold margaritas and a never ending supply of tacos at Big Star. After that, we then somehow made it across the street for too many super strong cocktails at The Violet Hour. And because I don’t really drink anymore and because I find that it nearly impossible to imbibe without finishing on a full belly of food (you know to help with the hangover of course), we headed to Lost Lake to get found. This was my favorite bar by far. Tiki drinks, cutie pie waitresses dressed as Polynesian princesses, and a super tasteful spunky retro asian food menu that paired perfectly with all the coconut and pineapple liquors that we were downing. Continue reading →