Appetizer recipe collection

New Orleans crab canapes: buttered toast rounds topped with creamy crab and gruyere-parmesan cheese balls, baked until bubbly. A classic French Quarter party appetizer.

Orecchiette dell'ortolano: Italian gardener's-style pasta with broiled eggplant, fire-roasted peppers, asparagus, and fresh fava beans tossed with olive oil and garlic.

Crispy phyllo Parmesan straws layered with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano and a hint of cayenne, baked golden in 10 minutes. A light, low-fat cocktail snack made with pantry staples.

Welsh mussel pate with herring roe, brandy, cream, and dill, baked in a bain-marie until set. A rich, briny seafood starter from the Menai Strait served on toast fingers.

Pop the Cork Pasta Crunch: deep fried corkscrew macaroni tossed in Parmesan, Italian seasoning, and garlic salt. A crispy, addictive party snack or appetizer.

Pumpkin and avocado oil soup blends pumpkin, fennel and potato into a silky pureed soup, with buttery avocado oil standing in for butter. A light, velvety vegan starter finished with a drizzle of oil.

This is a low-calory and vegetarian pizza, light and tasty, you don't worry about fat, calories, enjoy it.

Roasted eggplant and vegetable pate with charred eggplant, yellow peppers, ginger, jalapeno, cumin, and lime. A smoky vegan spread for crostini, crackers, or sandwich filling. Keeps a week.

Spiced chicken filling for samosas with garam masala, turmeric, ginger, garlic, and green chili. Steamed, flaked, and seasoned with fresh dhunia leaves.

Sausage-stuffed mushrooms: caps filled with hot Italian sausage seasoned with fennel and red pepper, bound with a creamy bechamel, studded with olives and topped with Parmesan, then baked until bubbling and browned. A standout party appetizer.

Vegetarian steamed wontons filled with seasoned tempeh, mushrooms, scallions, and ginger in a tamari-honey glaze. Serve with sweet and sour sauce for a plant-based dim sum appetizer.

Cold spicy soba noodles tossed in a creamy tahini, sesame oil, and chili dressing with reduced soy sauce, brown sugar, and balsamic. The Japanese-style cold noodle bowl ready in 40 minutes.

Buttery shortbread bites rolled in paprika, cayenne, curry powder, and cumin. A savory, spice-crusted appetizer that's totally unexpected and completely addictive.

Steamed sui mai pork dumplings with dried mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and sesame oil wrapped in wonton skins. This classic dim sum recipe makes 30 bite-sized dumplings that rival your favorite Chinese restaurant.

Baked vegan pâté with toasted pecans, mushrooms, silken tofu, ginger, jalapeño, and roasted red pepper. Earthy, spicy, and spreadable, served warm or at room temperature.

Crispy deep-fried tofu triangles stuffed with curried tofu, mushrooms, and ginger in wonton wrappers. A fusion appetizer that's part samosa, part wonton, and totally addictive. Makes 30.