Appetizer recipe collection

Nuclear chicken wings: oven-baked wings glazed with a double-hot sauce of Tabasco and habanero, brown sugar, vinegar, and ground red pepper. For the chili-head crowd. Serve with blue cheese.

Hot baked mushroom dip loaded with golden sauteed mushrooms, cream cheese, and pepper Jack. A make-ahead party dip that bakes up creamy and garlicky, ready for crackers or crusty bread.

Hunter's buns made with pastry dough kneaded with currants and brushed with milk before baking. A simple British-style tea bun that can be filled with jam for a sweeter treat.

Khao-Tung Hna-Tung (Crusty Rice with Shrimp Dip). recipe

Lung Fung Shrimps with jumbo shrimp and three kinds of mushrooms deep-fried then wok-tossed in oyster sauce, soy, ginger, and sesame oil. A classic Cantonese banquet-style seafood dish.

Marmaliga is a Romanian cornmeal porridge cooked in milk and water until thick and creamy, served with cottage cheese and sour cream. A simple, comforting Eastern European staple.

Curry mayo dip whisks mayonnaise with curry powder, scallions, and Worcestershire for a fast 5-minute party dip. Pairs with crudites, chips, and chicken tenders.

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

When garlic meet cheese, when bread mixes with garlic and cheese, so great!

Spicy roasted almonds glazed with sherry, sugar, Worcestershire sauce, and Angostura bitters, then tossed with cumin, chili powder, and cayenne. An addictive cocktail party snack.

Pâté de poulet en gelée layers poached chicken, broiled chicken livers, poached vegetables, and apple in individual aspic molds. Elegant French cold starter set in savory gelatin.

Pea and carrot salad with lovage tosses steamed fresh peas and baby carrots in a creamy mayo-yogurt dressing with Dijon mustard. The herb lovage adds a celery-like depth you won't get from parsley.

Quick microwave pickled beets and cucumbers: canned beets, fresh cucumber, and onion in a sweet-tangy pickling spice brine. Refrigerator pickles ready for the table tomorrow.

Crispy pinto bean cakes with jalapeno, cumin, cilantro, and liquid smoke, coated in cornmeal and pan-fried golden. A vegetarian main or appetizer served with fresh salsa.

Pistachio-stuffed mushrooms: mushroom caps filled with chopped stems, toasted pistachios, breadcrumbs, and marjoram, then broiled until golden and bubbling. A crunchy, nutty party appetizer in under half an hour.

Italian marinated sun-dried tomatoes preserved in olive oil with basil, garlic, and red pepper flakes. A homemade antipasto topping for bread, pasta, and charcuterie boards.