Appetizer recipe collection

Mexican shrimp cocktail with lime-poached shrimp, avocado, jalapeno, tomato, cilantro, and carrots in a concentrated lime-garlic broth. Served chilled on lettuce.

Quick tuna rice casserole with cream of celery soup, carrots, and minute rice baked in 15 minutes. A fast pantry dinner when you need supper on the table now.

Chinese mixed fruit dessert with grass jelly cubes, lychee, and mandarin oranges. Refreshing 3-ingredient cold dessert, perfect for hot summer days.

A Tibetan style sauce for momos (Tibetan dumplings).

Mushroom mozzarella bruschetta made with cream of mushroom soup, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and melted mozzarella on toasted French bread. A cheesy, savory appetizer baked until bubbly.

Italian mushroom piccante with sliced white mushrooms simmered in tomato, basil, parsley, capers, and a tangy white wine vinegar finish. A versatile antipasto served hot or at room temperature.

A delicious spread made with mushrooms, garlic and pecorino-romano cheese that is best served with tasty bread rounds.

Nero Wolfe's bread triangles spread with anchovy paste and pan-fried in butter until golden and crispy. A salty, savory literary appetizer inspired by Rex Stout's famous fictional detective.

New Year's Eve polenta squares crisp tube polenta under the broiler, then top each bite with a tangy sun-dried tomato, caper, and parsley pesto. A make-ahead cocktail-party appetizer that feeds a crowd.

Ninfa's green sauce is the legendary Houston Tex-Mex table dip: simmered green tomatoes, tomatillos, and jalapeños puréed with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and garlic. Pale jade, creamy, dangerously dippable.

A delicious low-fat, low-sodium alternative to conventional corn chips.

Dairy-free sour cream made with avocado, silken tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. A vegan sour cream substitute for tacos, potatoes, and burritos.

Homemade Nuts and Bolts party mix with almonds, three cereals, pretzels, and cheese crackers baked in a Worcestershire-bacon dripping sauce. Makes 5 quarts for a crowd.

Nutty cheese brulee: warm Brie drizzled with fruit or chocolate ice cream topping and a scatter of toasted pecans, microwaved until soft and served with crackers and fresh fruit. A 3-minute appetizer.

Oktapodi maratho krasato is Greek braised octopus with fennel and tomatoes in red wine. Pounded tender, then slow-simmered until fork-soft. Served warm or cold.

Cajun oyster pate with pimento-stuffed olives, bacon, hot sauce, and sweet relish blended into a smoky, briny spread. A bold appetizer served chilled on crackers.