Appetizer recipe collection

Ma-po's pork brains is a traditional Sichuan offal stir-fry pairing silky poached pork brains with crispy ground pork, chili nam yuey, ginger, and Shaoxing wine. A regional classic for adventurous eaters.

Greek marinated smelts fried in flour, then simmered in a white wine and vinegar marinade with herbs and mustard. A classic cold appetizer served chilled, perfect for a meze spread.

Vietnamese-style marinated cubed beef with soy-garlic marinade and a bright lime dipping sauce. Bo luc lac (shaking beef) for an appetizer with toothpicks or main dish over jasmine rice.

Mushroom caps stuffed with crabmeat in a creamy bechamel with Parmesan, flambeed in sherry, then topped with Gruyere and baked bubbly. An elegant appetizer for special occasions.

Italian rice and endive soup with fresh tomatoes, carrots, and basil. A light vegetarian meal ready in 45 minutes, simmered in vegetable stock with curly endive for a pleasantly bitter depth.

Savory rice pancakes with Parmesan, dried tomatoes, and rosemary, pan-fried until golden and crispy. Made from Italian medium-grain rice cooked risotto-style in broth.

Roasted garlic and almond spread with cream cheese, sour cream, and whipped cream folded in for a light, airy texture. A make-ahead dip or topping for crackers, potatoes, or sandwiches.

Layered vegetable salad with warm spicy peanut dressing made from coconut milk, peanut butter, and sweet soy sauce. Blanched potatoes, cauliflower, green beans, cabbage, and raw jicama.

Baked Australian Scotch eggs with hard-boiled eggs wrapped in sausage meat, coated in breadcrumbs and oven-baked. Classic British pub snack made lighter.

Escargots baked in their shells with anchovy-spiked garlic herb butter, quatre-epices, and a breadcrumb crust. A bold French twist on classic Bourguignonne snails.

Candied spiced walnuts or pecans coated in orange zest, cinnamon, cloves, and powdered sugar, then baked until dry and crunchy. A festive holiday snack or handmade gift.

These deliciously cheesy tartlets are great at many occasions. Handy appetizer or tasty breakfast. Make them in advance, put in the refrigerator or freezer, reheat before eating them; so these yummy tartlets can be also served at lunch or dinner.

A great appetizer for hungry friends, this was a real hit at the 2012 New Year's Eve Celebration

Zucchini boats loaded with sauteed mushrooms, onion, garlic, and thyme in herbed breadcrumbs, topped with Parmesan and baked until golden. A vegetarian appetizer or side.

Creamy sweet potato and peanut bisque with green chiles, ginger, allspice, and tomato juice, pureed silky smooth with natural peanut butter. Vegetarian, high-fiber, and on the table in 30 minutes.

A fragrant Moroccan chickpea tagine simmered with saffron, cinnamon, cumin, and ginger in olive oil and fresh tomatoes. Vegan, deeply aromatic, and ready in 35 minutes.