Appetizer recipe collection

Classic Italian balsamic bruschetta with ripe Roma tomatoes, fresh basil, garlic and Parmesan on toasted French bread. Essential summer appetizer for tomato season.

Cocktail franks in a tangy barbecue sauce with curry, mustard, and brown sugar. A retro party appetizer served in a chafing dish with toothpicks for easy snacking.

Vegetarian bean pate purees a 7-bean and barley mix with tahini, lemon juice, garlic, and cumin into a thick Mediterranean-style spread. Serve chilled with whole wheat bread or crackers.

Beau's notes: * There are no "jalapeno beans;" there are jalapeno peppers and pinto beans. I have two recipes, both of which are quite tref, but a Catholic should worry? But if you are hosting a Jewish person, smoked turkey will substitute most agreeably for the chazer called for in either recipe.]

Homemade beef jerky from flank or top round, marinated in soy sauce and slow-dried in a low oven or smoker. Lean, chewy, and savory snack made simple in your own kitchen.

Moroccan beet salad with boiled beets dressed in lemon, olive oil, cinnamon, sugar, and parsley. Two versions: classic and a spiced variation with orange flower water, cumin, and paprika. Bright cold appetizer.

Bell pepper rajas broiled with melted Monterey Jack cheese, black olives, and red pepper flakes. A colorful Mexican appetizer ready in 15 minutes flat.

Bite-size pepperoni pizza bites made on English muffins with pizza sauce, green pepper, and melted mozzarella. Microwaved in 1 minute for a 5-minute snack.

Chunky black bean dip with carrot, celery, garlic, and warm spices folded into sour cream. Half-mashed beans give body while whole beans add bite. No-cook party dip ready in 15 minutes.

Sweet potatoes and black beans are full of fiber and other nutrition, in this recipe we use both of them to make a scrumptious dish.

Bombay cashews roasted with freshly ground coriander, cumin, hot paprika, cinnamon, and nutmeg. An addictive Indian-spiced snack that keeps for two weeks.

Cold microwave borscht with grated beets, lemon juice, and a chilled overnight rest. A streamlined Eastern European soup ready in 12 minutes of cook time, finished with cold sour cream.

Vibrant beet dip pureed with soft tofu, apple cider vinegar, shallots, and herbs. A creamy vegan appetizer with stunning magenta color and earthy flavor, ready in 10 minutes.

Low-fat broccoli and mushroom dip made with cottage cheese, plain yogurt, garlic, and sauteed mushrooms. A lighter vegetable-packed party dip with creamy texture and no sour cream or mayo.

Microwave broccoli spears topped with a creamy lemon-ginger butter sauce made from scratch. A fast vegetable side dish with bright citrus flavor.

Two-ingredient caramel fondue made from melted caramel candy squares and water. Serve warm with apple chunks, marshmallows, and fruit for dipping, then roll in chopped nuts.