Appetizer recipe collection

Pisang goreng (Indonesian fried bananas) in a light egg batter, served over vanilla ice cream with a warm brown sugar rum sauce. A tropical dessert.

Grilled polenta topped with charred radicchio, olive oil, and a drizzle of vinegar. A rustic Italian antipasto where crispy-edged polenta meets the bitter smoky bite of grilled chicory.

Polenta triangles with green chiles, roasted red peppers, corn, and sharp cheddar. Cooked polenta set in a pan, sliced into triangles. Stovetop or microwave method.

Crispy phyllo seed straws made with toasted poppy and sesame seeds, folded in layers and baked golden. A light, crunchy appetizer that stores for weeks.

Potato tikki with almonds, jalapeno, and bell pepper, pan-fried until crispy and served with a creamy almond-cilantro chutney. A vegan Indian-inspired appetizer or snack.

Homemade potstickers from scratch: hand-rolled dough wrappers filled with pork, napa cabbage, ginger and water chestnut, pan-fried crisp then steamed tender. Served with a soy, chili oil and vinegar dipping sauce.

Moroccan fava bean puree (bessara): dried favas simmered with garlic and cumin, blended with olive oil, served with Arab bread and a cumin-cayenne spice dip.

Fresh tomato salsa with jalapeño, garlic, cilantro, and lime. Basically classic pico de gallo with a sharp Mexican kick, ready blender-free in about 15 minutes.

Red and yellow pepper tart layers slow-stewed sweet peppers, provolone, and black olives in a savory custard over a pesto-painted crust. A colorful vegetarian tart that eats like the Mediterranean on a plate.

Fresh figs, roasted with mint, garlic, gorgonzola and served with French bread, a very classy appetizer.

Roasted habanero salsa with 10 grilled habaneros, oven-roasted Roma tomatoes, lime juice, and cilantro. Extremely hot, keeps in the fridge for weeks.

Roasted red pepper spread made with just peppers, garlic, olive oil, whole wheat bread, and salt. Smooth, smoky, and perfect on crackers or toasted bread as an appetizer.

Roasted tomato and mint salsa with fire-blackened Roma tomatoes, serrano chiles, cilantro, fresh spearmint, lime, and orange zest. A smoky, herbaceous Southwestern salsa for grilled meats or chips.

Romaine salad with avocado, sliced radishes, and fresh oranges under a creamy lime-marmalade dressing. A bright, crunchy winter citrus salad with Mexican roots.

Rosemary chicken wings baked golden in a sweet-herbal glaze of lemonade, butter, shallots, and dried rosemary. A unique twist on baked wings for appetizers or dinner.

Salmon spread cheese ball: a make-ahead party appetizer with canned salmon, reduced-fat cream cheese, lemon, and Dijon, shaped into a parsley-coated ball for melba rounds.