Appetizer recipe collection

Saffron risotto in the simple Milanese tradition: rice toasted in butter and onion, simmered in saffron-laced broth, finished with parmesan. Golden, fragrant, and unfussy.

Aubergine or Eggplant dip Serve with warm Pita or Lebanese bread

Microwave baked sweet potatoes deliver tender, fluffy potatoes in minutes. Scrub, pierce, arrange in a circle with space between them, and microwave to perfection. Quickest healthy side dish without firing up the oven.

Baked sweet pepper wedges stuffed with tomatoes, pine nuts, garlic, and parsley, finished with breadcrumbs and olive oil. A vegan Mediterranean appetizer or side dish that bakes in an hour.

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.

Pearl barley gets the risotto treatment with tender cauliflower florets and a splash of red wine in this hearty grain bowl that delivers creamy comfort without the constant stirring of Arborio rice.

This is a basic risotto rice . Many ingredients may be added, such as green onion, peas, sliced mushrooms, clams, shrimp, lean hamburger or chicken.

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.