Ricotta crostini tops day-old French bread slices with a basil and garlic ricotta filling mixed with turkey bacon, then broils with Parmesan until bubbly. A lighter take on cheesy crostini.
Bacon-wrapped crabmeat balls with sherry, lemon juice, dry mustard, and fresh bread crumbs broiled until crispy. An elegant appetizer that makes about 2 dozen bite-sized hors d'oeuvres.
Spicy black bean burgers with jalapeño, cumin, coriander, and cayenne. Pan-fried vegetarian patties with crispy edges and a tender, chunky center.
Kidney bean and brown rice veggie burgers pan-fried until crispy outside, tender inside. No eggs needed, just mashed beans, rice, bread crumbs, and simple spices.
Italian-style mini meatloaves made with ground pork, Parmesan, and Italian seasoning. Ten individual portions glazed with ketchup for faster baking than a single large loaf.
Maryland-style crab cakes pan-seared then finished in a hot oven, served with a Dijon mustard cream sauce. Loaded with lump crab, colorful bell peppers, and just enough breadcrumbs to hold them together.
Raspberry Queen of Puddings with a lemon breadcrumb custard base, a layer of raspberry jam, and golden meringue piped on top. A classic British baked pudding served hot.
Jerusalem artichoke gratin layered under a creamy goat cheese bechamel, dusted with breadcrumbs and baked golden for a French bistro side dish that comes together in an hour.
Oven-fried chicken with a balsamic-honey glaze and crispy breadcrumb coating. Five ingredients, one pan, on the table in 45 minutes. Healthier than skillet-fried with the same crunch.
Tender green beans tossed with caramelized onions, fresh mint, and parsley in olive oil. A bright squeeze of lemon brings everything together in this simple Mediterranean side.
Beef and rice meatloaf rolled jelly-roll style around a sweet peach and dill filling, brushed with peach syrup as it bakes. The retro pinwheel that turns ground beef into a dinner-party showstopper.
Pizza stuffed mushrooms filled with Italian sausage, pepperoni, mozzarella, Parmesan, and seasoned crumbs. All the flavors of pizza in a bite-sized appetizer.
Classic crab cakes with lump crab, Dijon, mayo, and fresh scallions, pan-fried in butter until golden. Minimal filler, maximum crab, the Chesapeake-style version everyone wants.
Mock parmigiana shapes seasoned beef patties, bakes them in a mushroom-tomato sauce, then tops with melted mozzarella. The veal parmigiana shortcut for any weeknight.
Old-school fried crab cakes bound with just enough breadcrumbs and a single egg yolk so the sweet lump meat actually shines. Worcestershire and dry mustard sharpen the edges, served with lemon wedges and golden crisp.
Microwave squash Parmesan with yellow squash baked in a milk-soaked bread and Parmesan mixture, topped with Italian bread crumbs. A quick, cheesy side dish.