222 appetizer recipes

Dried tomato crostini with sun-dried and fresh tomatoes, olives, capers, balsamic vinegar, and garlic on toasted baguette. An Italian bruschetta-style appetizer with optional melted cheese.

Yum Hoi Mang-Pu, a Thai mussel salad tossed with lemongrass, shallots, fresh mint, fiery bird's-eye chilies, lime juice, and fish sauce. Crisp, fiery, and sour, served over lettuce as a starter.

Bacon-wrapped rumaki with marinated chicken livers, water chestnuts, and scallions broiled until the bacon crisps. A retro tiki bar appetizer with soy-sherry-ginger soak.

Wild rice and mushroom soup simmered in vegetable stock with red wine, bell pepper, and parsley. A vegan, broth-based soup with earthy depth and chewy wild rice in every spoonful.

Southern pimiento cheese sandwiches with sharp New York cheddar, mashed pimientos, cayenne, and Worcestershire. Hand-grated cheese makes all the difference in this classic spread.

Mexican pita pizzas layer black beans, Pico de Gallo, and melted cheese on crispy pita rounds for a fast appetizer or weeknight dinner. Ready in 20 minutes with easy Tex-Mex toppings.

Chinese shrimp balls (pai chiao hsia chiu) rolled in stale bread cubes and double-fried until shatteringly crisp. Served with Sichuan pepper-salt dip. 30 pieces.

Thai devilled crab salad stuffed into Roma tomato halves with lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, mint, and chili. A no-cook, elegant appetizer with bold Southeast Asian flavor.

Thai hot and sour shrimp soup (Tom Yum Goong) with lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, chile paste, and straw mushrooms. A bright, aromatic broth built from shrimp shell stock.

Potato tikki with almonds, jalapeno, and bell pepper, pan-fried until crispy and served with a creamy almond-cilantro chutney. A vegan Indian-inspired appetizer or snack.

Fruit soup thickened with tapioca, sweetened with honey, and topped with sliced banana. Serve hot or chilled as a dessert, appetizer, or over cornbread.

A South African-style spiced mince filling for samoosas: beef or mutton braised dry with jeera, ginger, garlic, turmeric, fresh coriander and mint. The keep-it-dry method that stops samoosas from going soggy.

Shrimp stuffed mushrooms with tarragon, cracker crumbs, and a buttered breadcrumb topping baked golden. A classic seafood appetizer that fills 24 caps in 35 minutes.

Chinese-style fried shrimp balls with minced shrimp, water chestnuts, bamboo shoots, and ginger, bound with egg white and cornstarch then deep-fried golden and crispy.

Steak and shrimp wonton filling with marinated beef, lemon-kissed shrimp, water chestnuts, and cilantro. A surf-and-turf twist for fried or boiled dumplings.

Gefilte fish from a jar upgraded with fresh beets, carrots, and onions layered and simmered for 45 minutes. Bubbe's shortcut for holiday fish that tastes almost homemade.