150 appetizer recipes

Guacamole de la Mixteca: an authentic Oaxaca-region guacamole with ripe avocado, white onion, serrano chile, and cilantro. Mashed chunky in a molcajete, no lime, no fuss.

Warm brie melted over fresh herb sprigs, scored in a diamond pattern and ringed with baby pear tomatoes. A quick microwave appetizer served with crusty French bread for scooping.

A delicious low-fat, low-sodium alternative to conventional corn chips.

Classic Italian antipasti platter with roasted red peppers, marinated vegetables, olives, and Parmesan served with crusty bread for an elegant no-cook appetizer.

Low-fat tomato dip made with sieved cottage cheese, nonfat yogurt, ketchup, and tomato juice. A creamy, high-protein party dip with no cooking required. Ready in 10 minutes.

This is really a nice baked brie, especially with jalapeno. Big hit!

Kona Coast pizza on English muffins with Hawaiian ham and pineapple, hoisin-spiked sauce, water chestnuts, and mozzarella. A quick tropical pizza snack ready in 15 minutes.

Orange appetizers layered with thin red onion, parsley, cilantro, lime juice, and olive oil. A fresh, no-cook Moroccan-inspired citrus salad starter.

Microwave baked sweet potatoes deliver tender, fluffy potatoes in minutes. Scrub, pierce, arrange in a circle with space between them, and microwave to perfection. Quickest healthy side dish without firing up the oven.

Thai cucumber pickles, a quick sweet-sour-spicy side of sliced cucumber, red chiles, onion, and cilantro in a red wine vinegar brine. Five-minute condiment.

Steamed winter vegetables tossed in a warm orange, maple, and ginger glaze with toasted sesame seeds. Carrots, parsnips, broccoli stems, and cauliflower served hot or at room temperature.

Toasted pita chips split, cut, and bake pita bread into crisp triangles for dips, soups, and lunchboxes. Two ingredients, eight-minute bake, much better than store-bought.

Microwave-steamed globe artichokes with a zesty mustard dipping sauce made with brown mustard, Italian dressing mix, Worcestershire, and hot sauce.

Smoked salmon canapes on crisp jicama triangles with lime-spiked Neufchatel cheese and cracked black pepper. A light, no-cook appetizer that looks like it came from a caterer.

Broiled crab melts on Melba toast rounds with lime, green onion, and hot mustard, topped with bubbling Swiss cheese. A two-bite appetizer for parties, ready in 20 minutes.

Sun-dried tomato tapenade blends rehydrated tomatoes with black olives, capers, garlic, and lemon zest. A bright Provençal spread for bread, crackers, or grilled chicken.