68 first recipes

Fruity jam is deliciously paired with the buttery and flakey cookies. You will fall in love with these fruit bars from the first bite on.

This is one of the most popular dips I make at all of my parties. From football to holidays, it is always the first dish to be empty!

Absolutely delicious. First time I made an eggplant dip, and it was surprisingly tasty. The mixture of roasted bell peppers, eggplants, feta cheese, garlic and onion was so yummy and flavorful.

Spring is coming and one of the first vegetables of spring is asparagus. Wrapped with a crispy phyllo pastry spiked with thyme then topped with cheese really takes this main dish up to the next level.

This is an awesomely flexible dinner. You basically chop everything up, douse it in oil and some salt, pepper or whichever spices you're in the mood for (or grab first!) and chuck it in the oven for an hour or so.

I was looking for a recipe which would show off the colors of M&Ms. I exchanged the margarine for butter. At first bite, the cookie was a bit dry. Then the butter kicked in and it just melted in my mouth. What a flavor experience! I will definitely be making this cookie again!

This cream cheese-based cracker spread is served free at a local pub. It was so delicious that I knew I had to try to duplicate it home after I first had it. At the pub, the spread is served with club-type crackers, but it goes well on any cracker or with crudites.

Fork-tender slow-roasted beef brisket on a bed of paper-thin onions with paprika and allspice. Roasts at 300F for 3 hours and slices even better the next day.

Classic 7-layer Mexican dip with jalapeño bean dip, guacamole, seasoned sour cream, and cheddar. A no-cook party appetizer ready in 15 minutes. Serve with tortilla chips.

Creamy green olive soup with pureed olives, sauteed onion and garlic, chicken broth, sherry, and a hit of Tabasco. A briny, elegant first-course soup with garlic crouton garnish.

Savory Gorgonzola and leek crème brûlée: silky blue cheese custard with sweet sautéed leeks, torched to a bubbling Parmesan crust. An elegant first course that turns brûlée savory.

Crystal-clear salmon consomme with poached prawns, salmon flakes, carrot flowers, and a splash of sherry. Classic raft-clarified technique for an elegant first course.

Creamy German cucumber salad (Gurkensalat) tossed in a tangy sour cream dressing with mustard and fresh dill. Salting the cucumbers first keeps every slice crisp and the dressing thick, never watery.

Maritime Madness is a retro East Coast ground beef casserole bound with oatmeal, cream of mushroom soup, ketchup, and sage. Mix, bake, brown. No browning the meat first.

A simple and succulent beef dish that will have you hooked after the first bite!

Orjaleves is a traditional Hungarian wedding soup made with beef bones, pork, saffron broth, root vegetables, and handmade spiral egg noodles. A rich, celebratory first course.