161 appetizer recipes

Broiled polenta crostini topped with a woodsy porcini and fresh mushroom ragout with tomatoes and parsley. Vegetarian Italian comfort food with deep, earthy flavor.

Baked potato skins filled with chopped smoked salmon, sour cream, and topped with red or black caviar. An elegant four-ingredient appetizer that turns a humble potato into something luxurious.

A hearty grain salad of pinto beans and wild rice tossed with mixed greens in a punchy chive-garlic vinaigrette, garnished with chive blossoms. Vegan, filling, and full of texture.

Slice-and-bake cheddar cheese biscuits with Worcestershire and hot sauce, topped with poppy, sesame, or celery seeds. Make the dough ahead and bake crispy, golden rounds whenever guests arrive.

Simple lobster spread with chopped lobster meat, mayonnaise, scallions, and black pepper. A four-ingredient appetizer that chills for two hours and serves with crackers.

Spiced broccoli spinach spread with cumin, lime, red pepper flakes, and toasted coconut. A vegan canape that's bold, earthy, and completely unexpected.

Tiny French cheese pastry sandwiches made with sharp cheddar dough and a melted Swiss cheese filling. Flaky, buttery, and gone in two bites. Makes 46 croutes.

Whole artichokes stuffed with mushrooms, ham, Parmesan and bread crumbs, then slow-smoked until tender and infused with woodsy flavor. A show-stopping appetizer for your next cookout.

Dahl Shaag, an Indian lentil and spinach stew with turmeric, cumin, mustard seeds, and garam masala tempered in ghee. Protein-packed, naturally vegan-friendly, and deeply comforting.

Snails Cauderan is a traditional Bordeaux escargot recipe braised with country ham, shallots, white wine, and bouquet garni. Petit-gris snails cooked low and slow in a rich, savory sauce.

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.

Mayo-free pasta salad with marinated artichoke hearts, alfalfa sprouts, black olives, and red wine vinegar. The artichoke marinade doubles as the dressing in this tangy, make-ahead side.

Pakoras: crisp Indian fritters of onion, potato, and spinach dipped in spiced chickpea-flour batter and deep-fried to golden crunch. Monsoon-season street food at its finest.

A grilled, rather than baked, pizza with some unexpectedly delightful toppings. Use these ideas as a starting point and get creative with your toppings... the possibilities are endless! Enjoy with a salad and your favorite flass of wine! Cook time does not include dough's rising time. Can be ovenbaked if grill is not available

Lentil and yogurt soup with orange lentils, bacon, mushrooms, and ground coriander, finished with a swirl of low-fat yogurt. Hearty, warming, and lighter than it tastes.

Garlic and chickpea dip with two whole heads of boiled garlic, tahini, olive oil, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. Chilled in a mold and served with tomatoes.