Appetizer recipe collection

Grilled vegetable pizza with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, red onion, olives, and capers finished with peppery arugula. Fire-kissed crust from the grill, never the oven, for smoky char and crisp edges.

Gujarati-style roasted potato salad with toasted mustard seeds, cumin, lemon juice, and pistachio garnish. An Indian-spiced twist on potato salad that's warm, vibrant, and completely mayo-free.

Ham mousse with peaches, a savory baked custard of ground ham, eggs, cream, Dijon mustard, and port wine, unmolded and garnished with fresh peaches, pickled watermelon rind, and almonds.

Hot rough tomato soup simmered with fresh tomatoes, ghee, dried red chiles, whole cloves, peppercorns, and bay leaves. An Indian-spiced, chunky vegetarian soup with real heat.

Insalata verde e rossa, an Italian red and green salad with dandelion leaves, watercress, and radishes in olive oil and red wine vinegar. A bitter greens salad with peppery bite.

An easy lamb canape: crisp celery-seed toast strips spread with a quick cooked-lamb-and-mayonnaise mixture and topped with pimiento. A smart, retro party bite for using up leftover roast lamb.

Low-fat marinated vegetable platter with crisp broccoli, carrots, celery, red pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in tangy Italian dressing. Make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it chills.

Smoky Thai mashed eggplant, charred whole over a grill then pounded with shallots, garlic, and chili. Fried briefly and served with hard-boiled eggs and fresh mint as a savory dip or side.

Chilled prawn salad with melon balls, strawberries, avocado, and celery in a fresh strawberry-orange dressing. A light, elegant appetizer that's naturally low in fat and ready in 30 minutes with no cooking.

Minted veggie dip blends non-fat yogurt, light sour cream, fresh cucumber, garlic, and chopped mint into a cool, creamy dip for raw vegetables. Light, refreshing, and low-fat.

Mock guacamole made with steamed asparagus and picante sauce instead of avocado. A low-fat, avocado-free dip with the same creamy green look and tangy flavor.

Mockamole blends avocado with silken tofu, lemon juice, garlic, and parsley for a lighter, protein-boosted take on guacamole. A 5-minute vegan dip or pita filling.

Mushroom ketchup, a Victorian-era umami bomb of salted fresh mushrooms and dried boletus simmered with vinegar, warm spices and sherry. A shelf-stable savory condiment worth the two-day project for real depth.

Pork chops baked over beans in a tangy tomato-ketchup sauce with onion. A simple, comforting casserole that slow bakes for up to 90 minutes until the chops are fall-off-the-bone tender.

Stilton and cream cheese stuffed between toasted pecan halves for a savory, crunchy appetizer bite. Five ingredients, endlessly snackable, and perfect for cocktail parties.

Orange glazed carrots with brown sugar, butter, orange juice, and lemon zest cooked in the microwave. A sweet, citrusy side dish ready in under 10 minutes.