804 appetizer recipes

Fennel and carrots cooked slowly in an seasoned olive oil.

Oktapodi maratho krasato is Greek braised octopus with fennel and tomatoes in red wine. Pounded tender, then slow-simmered until fork-soft. Served warm or cold.

Lightened potato skins with crispy russet shells, sharp cheddar, turkey bacon, and fresh chives, served with low-fat sour cream. All the steakhouse appetizer flavor, way less guilt.

A tangy, jewel-toned tomato aspic loaded with crunchy celery, green peppers, and green beans. This vintage molded salad brings old-school Southern charm to any potluck or holiday spread.

Sweet corn fritters studded with edible marigold petals, fried until golden with lacy, crispy edges. A stunning appetizer that brings the garden straight to the plate.

A quick microwave cherry sauce made with dark sweet cherries, cornstarch, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Spoon over ice cream or cake in under 10 minutes.

Ground pork seasoned with red curry paste, lemongrass, coriander seeds, and fish sauce, stuffed into casings and grilled until charred and juicy. Serve with sticky rice for a true Thai feast.

Oysters Bingo are lightly breaded fresh oysters sauteed golden in butter, then drizzled with a creamy pan sauce of white wine, oyster juice, lemon, and shallots.

Silky chicken and ham mousse blended with Madeira wine and whipped cream, set in a gelatin mold. An elegant make-ahead appetizer for cocktail parties and holiday entertaining.

Vegetarian Chinese boiled dumplings (shwei jow) with handmade wrappers and a tofu, mushroom, and lily bud filling. Served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce. Makes 24.

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Sai Grog: ground pork mixed with red curry paste, lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, coriander root, and fish sauce, grilled in natural casings. Authentic Thai spicy sausage in 40 minutes.

Crisp button mushrooms stuffed with tangy apple, toasted walnuts, and melted blue cheese for a sweet-savory bite-sized appetizer ready in under an hour.

Classic Turkish çoban salatası, the chopped 'shepherd's salad' of tomatoes, cucumber, onion, green pepper, and parsley dressed with lemon and olive oil. Bright, fresh, and built for summer.

Baked Brie with a homemade cranberry-pear compote, honey, currants, and pumpkin pie spice. A warm, bubbly holiday appetizer served with melba rounds or sliced fruit.

Sun-dried tomato tapenade with capers, garlic, lemon, and herbes de Provence. Rehydrated, oil-cured for a week, then pulsed into a coarse Provencal spread.