13 appetizer recipes

Cold gazpacho with fresh tomatoes, green pepper, onion, garlic, white wine and lemon. Vegan, no-cook Spanish summer soup, blended smooth and chilled overnight.

Grilled seafood kabobs with shrimp, sea scallops, and mushrooms marinated overnight in honey barbecue-Dijon sauce. Smoky, sweet, and done on the grill in under 10 minutes.

Polish hunters stew (bigos) with sauerkraut, kielbasa, bacon, dried mushrooms, apples, and tomatoes. Simmered low and slow, best reheated the next day.

Packaged in attractive containers, these spicy nuts make delightful small gifts.

Marinated onion and kidney bean salad with Vidalia onions, bell peppers, jalapeno, cilantro, and a chili-vinegar dressing. Needs overnight marinating for the best flavor.

Marinated mixed Italian olives cracked and soaked with bell peppers, celery, garlic, oregano, and vinegar. Cured at room temperature for two days for bold, giardiniera-style flavor.

Three-cheese ball with blue cheese, sharp cheddar, and cream cheese rolled in chopped walnuts or pecans. A classic make-ahead party appetizer with bold, savory flavor.

Gloria's black bean soup simmers dried beans low and slow, then gets stirred thick with a blended sofrito of peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, and oregano. A rich, Cuban-style puréed bean soup.

Italian marinated eggplant sott'olio made with Japanese eggplant simmered in red wine vinegar, then layered with fresh mint, garlic, and red pepper flakes under olive oil. Marinate two days for bold antipasto flavor.

Classic French chicken liver pate with cognac, cream, butter, and fine spices. Marinated in cream overnight, blanched four times, then processed silky smooth.

A creamy salmon log rolled in chopped pecans and parsley, made with canned salmon, cream cheese, horseradish, and a whisper of liquid smoke. Mix it a day ahead and let the fridge do the work.

Crunchy deep-fried yellow split peas tossed in warm spices like chili, coriander, cinnamon, and cloves. A high-protein vegetarian snack inspired by Indian street food. Stores beautifully in an airtight jar.

Have fun with your crockpot by making this delicious dish that uses cocktail-sized frankfurters and chili sauce.