Appetizer recipe collection

Earthy mushrooms, crispy bacon, and cream cheese blend with herbs and breadcrumbs to form a rich, spreadable pâté that's perfect for entertaining, best served chilled with crackers or toast points.

Mushrooms stuffed with escargot in garlic-shallot herb butter, baked until bubbling. A classic French appetizer that swaps snail shells for tender mushroom caps.

Mussel and saffron soup built on the briny steaming liquor with leeks, fenugreek, and a finish of cream. A French bistro classic with deep golden color and shellfish-rich broth.

Traditional British raised meat pie with pork, veal, and ham surrounding a line of hard-boiled eggs, sealed in pastry and set with savory gelatin. Served cold in slices.

Slow cooker cocktail weiners simmered in beer until plump, then drained and glazed in barbecue sauce. Three ingredients and zero effort for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.

Nero Wolfe's bread triangles spread with anchovy paste and pan-fried in butter until golden and crispy. A salty, savory literary appetizer inspired by Rex Stout's famous fictional detective.

New Year's Eve polenta squares crisp tube polenta under the broiler, then top each bite with a tangy sun-dried tomato, caper, and parsley pesto. A make-ahead cocktail-party appetizer that feeds a crowd.

Ninfa's green sauce is the legendary Houston Tex-Mex table dip: simmered green tomatoes, tomatillos, and jalapeños puréed with avocado, cilantro, sour cream, and garlic. Pale jade, creamy, dangerously dippable.

A delicious low-fat, low-sodium alternative to conventional corn chips.

Dairy-free sour cream made with avocado, silken tofu, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, and fresh herbs. A vegan sour cream substitute for tacos, potatoes, and burritos.

Norwegian sardine pate blends mashed sardines with cream cheese, lemon juice, and hot sauce into a smooth spread. Garnished with capers and served with toast.

Homemade Nuts and Bolts party mix with almonds, three cereals, pretzels, and cheese crackers baked in a Worcestershire-bacon dripping sauce. Makes 5 quarts for a crowd.

Nutty cheese brulee: warm Brie drizzled with fruit or chocolate ice cream topping and a scatter of toasted pecans, microwaved until soft and served with crackers and fresh fruit. A 3-minute appetizer.

Vegetarian brown rice and walnut pate with sauteed mushrooms, zucchini, and herbs baked in a loaf pan. Slice and serve chilled on lettuce for an earthy, satisfying appetizer.

Oktapodi maratho krasato is Greek braised octopus with fennel and tomatoes in red wine. Pounded tender, then slow-simmered until fork-soft. Served warm or cold.

Savory sherry cheese puffs: bite-size choux pastries filled with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, chopped green olives, and a splash of dry sherry. A retro cocktail-party appetizer.