104 appetizer recipes

Ricotta-stuffed zucchini flowers filled with creamy ricotta, Asiago, chopped almonds, basil and parsley. Delicate squash blossoms baked until warm, elegant enough for company, easy enough for a summer Tuesday.

Fresh tomatoes hollowed out and stuffed with mashed avocado, chili powder, alfalfa sprouts, and coriander. A light, no-cook Mexican appetizer or healthy snack.

Hot, cheesy chicken dip loaded with sauteed peppers, celery, and jalapeno, bound creamy with cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar. A quick, crowd-pleasing party dip for chips and crackers.

Lightly flour-dusted artichoke hearts cooked in butter in the microwave until lightly browned, then finished with vinaigrette. A quick appetizer or vegetable side ready in 30 minutes.

Clams casino tops half-shell clams with a garlic-green pepper butter and seasoned breadcrumbs, then bakes hot until the topping turns golden. A New England Shore Dinner appetizer that brings the briny bite of fresh clams alive.

Fettunta Toscana is Tuscan grilled bread rubbed with raw garlic and topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, and olive oil. The original Italian bruschetta, simple and seasonal.

Creamy corn and walnut dip with cream cheese, lime juice, cumin, and ground red chili. A no-cook Mexican-inspired party dip with crunch and heat, ready in 10 minutes flat.

Moroccan tomato and roasted green pepper salad from Fez with cumin, paprika, preserved lemon, and olive oil. A smoky, bright North African appetizer or side dish.

Moroccan-style sauteed eggplant, zucchini, peppers, and tomatoes served room temperature on lettuce with olive oil and lemon. A vibrant, crisp-tender vegetable appetizer with a spicy kick.

Garlic-parsley finger sandwiches blend fresh garlic, chopped parsley, and mayonnaise into a tea-time spread on thinly sliced white bread. Four-ingredient party appetizer cut on the diagonal.

Fiery hot salsa fresca with diced tomato, onion, sweet yellow and green bell peppers, and three habaneros for serious heat. Brightened with cilantro, oregano, and fresh lime juice. No cooking required.

Creamy ground beef and noodle casserole with tomato paste, cream cheese, Parmesan, and green peppers, all made in the microwave. A 30-minute weeknight dinner the whole family will love.

South American empanadas with a lard pastry and two filling options: spiced fruit dessert or savory beef carne in tomato sauce. Bake, fry, or grill.

No-cook rigatoni pasta tossed with raw tomatoes, sliced bell peppers, fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan. A fresh vegetarian summer pasta ready in 30 minutes.

Asparagus and crabmeat salad layers crisp-tender spears over butter lettuce, crowned with sweet lump crab folded into a tomato-Dijon mayonnaise. Elegant cold appetizer or light lunch that comes together in minutes with make-ahead dressing.

The perfect companion for sandwiches and crackers that is great for a picnic, or even a light snack.