Appetizer recipe collection

Moroccan chickpea soup with saffron, turmeric, ginger, and potatoes simmered in stock with tomato paste. A warming vegetarian soup finished with fresh lemon juice.

Spanish pan con tomate with Serrano ham slow-roasts plum tomatoes for a sweet, garlicky spread piled onto toasted baguette and topped with thin slices of jamón. A classic tapas party platter.

Silky pear butter simmered with white wine, vanilla bean, cardamom, and whole spices, then canned for year-round enjoyment. A gorgeous homemade preserve that makes Bartlett pears shine.

Spicy pinto bean dip made from scratch with dried beans, cumin, jalapeno, chili powder, and fresh cilantro. A bold, smoky Mexican-style dip loaded with garlic and heat.

Light spinach dip made with low-fat cottage cheese and yogurt instead of sour cream. Fresh spinach, lemon juice, and green onions in a creamy, tangy base.

Spinach pesto appetizer: a sliceable, high-protein cheesecake-style savory loaf with spinach, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and Romano. Perfect make-ahead party food served chilled with crackers or crostini.

Tahini and hazelnut dip with pan-roasted hazelnuts, garlic, lemon juice, and sesame paste. A nutty, creamy vegan dip with rich toasted flavor that deepens overnight in the fridge.

Wine fruit cup with sliced plums, nectarines, and golden raisins soaked in a spiced white wine syrup infused with anise, cinnamon, and lemon. A chilled starter that doubles as a light summer dessert.

Roasted eggplant and yogurt spread, garlic-studded and perfumed with thyme and oregano, blended creamy with olive oil and a squeeze of lemon. A tangy, herby Mediterranean dip for pita, crackers, or toasted bread.