31 appetizer recipes

Roman-style concia: zucchini slices fried golden in olive oil, then layered with garlic, basil, and vinegar. An old-world Italian appetizer that improves as it sits.

Baked chicken wings glazed with cranberry sauce, honey mustard, and orange zest. Marinated overnight for deep flavor, then roasted until sticky and caramelized. Great for holiday parties.

Spiced olives are the easiest homemade Moroccan-style appetizer: drained olives tossed with your favorite spice blend and left to marinate overnight. Transforms ordinary olives into something bar-worthy.

Fiery salsa: fresh pico de gallo with ten jalapenos, tomatoes, onion, cilantro, lime, and lemon. Made ahead and chilled overnight for the bold heat to develop fully.

Garlic marinated olives with lemon, bay leaves, thyme, peppercorns, and sherry. A make-ahead antipasto jar that gets better every day in the fridge.

Ceviche Acapulco with red snapper, shrimp, and scallops cured in lime juice, then tossed with serrano peppers, olives, tomatoes, and cilantro. Bold, bright, and no cooking required.

Soy marinated mushrooms, a make-ahead appetizer of fresh mushrooms steeped overnight in a hot brine of soy sauce, red wine vinegar, sherry, sugar, and minced onion. Tangy, savory, deeply umami.

Fresh citrus and pineapple salsa with orange, jalapeño, cilantro, green onion, and lime zest. A bright, no-cook fruit salsa for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.

Beer-marinated shrimp with garlic, chives, and parsley, soaked overnight then broiled in minutes. Served on shredded lettuce with green onions for a light, flavorful appetizer.

Turkish-style sauteed eggplant with a garlicky tomato sauce finished with vinegar. Salted and drained for silky, golden slices. Served warm or at room temperature.

Port-soaked dried figs stuffed with ricotta cheese and topped with a whole almond. An elegant make-ahead appetizer or dessert bite that needs overnight chilling.

A show-stopping caviar mold set in a tangy blend of sour cream, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and unflavored gelatin. Unmold, crown with sour cream and caviar, and serve as a retro-elegant party centerpiece.

Swedish pickled herring with a sweet-sour vinegar brine layered with red onion, carrots, ginger, and horseradish. A classic Scandinavian smorgasbord appetizer that only gets better after 2-3 days in the jar.

Crunchy deep-fried yellow split peas tossed in warm spices like chili, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves. A high-protein vegetarian snack inspired by Indian street food. Stores beautifully in an airtight jar.

Elegant layered vegetable terrine wrapped in savoy cabbage with asparagus, red peppers, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, carrots, and artichoke hearts. Served cold with a tangy tomato-buttermilk sauce.