Appetizer Recipes

Stuffed mushroom caps filled with a Mediterranean eggplant and tomato mixture brightened with garlic, basil and parsley. A make-ahead vegetarian appetizer you can serve warm or at room temperature.

Sauteed mushrooms in garlic-sherry sauce, a Spanish tapas-style appetizer of mushrooms seared with garlic and chili, splashed with sherry, and finished with lemon and parsley. Quick, garlicky, and vegetarian.

Chili cheese dip made in the microwave with canned chili, a full pound of cheddar, sour cream, and picante sauce. Four ingredients and 10 minutes for game day or any party.

Jamaican hot wings deep-fried and tossed in a buttery jerk spice sauce with Tabasco and tomato juice. Crispy, fiery, and loaded with Caribbean heat. Makes 40-50 wings for a crowd.

Cheese nugget appetizers, four-ingredient sharp cheddar shortbread-style balls with a cayenne kick. Bite-sized crowd pleasers ready in 30 minutes.

Pappa al pomodoro, a thick Tuscan bread and tomato soup with stale Italian bread, fresh and canned Roma tomatoes, garlic, leeks, basil, and olive oil. Rustic Italian comfort.

Roasted roma tomatoes on toast with balsamic-ginger glaze, lemony goat cheese, and peppery arugula on olive-oil crisped sourdough. A restaurant-style vegetarian appetizer or light main.

Open-faced black bean nachos with spicy chorizo, melted Monterey Jack, and a smoky black bean pesto thickened with ham hock. Fried flour tortillas baked into crisp wedges. Loaded restaurant-style nachos.

Light fiesta shrimp dip with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, and cumin. A creamy, zesty cold dip with real chopped shrimp served with vegetable dippers.

Grilled garlic butter shrimp skewers basted with a white wine, parsley, and red pepper sauce. Serve as a main dish or appetizer straight off the grill.

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.

Pecan cheese crisps made with sharp cheddar, dry mustard, and cayenne. A slice-and-bake savory cracker that makes 84 crispy, cheese-packed rounds.

Smoked salmon with Irish brown soda bread, mixed greens, capers, and cherry tomatoes. A classic appetizer plate served with lemon, butter, and a drizzle of good olive oil.

Potato crisps with sour cream and caviar are crispy mini potato pancakes topped with cool sour cream and salty salmon roe. An elegant 35-minute cocktail appetizer that looks restaurant-worthy.

Homemade Cracker Jack-style caramel popcorn with peanuts, brown sugar, butter, and corn syrup. A crunchy, sweet snack that comes together in just 15 minutes.

Thai devilled crab salad stuffed into Roma tomato halves with lemongrass, fish sauce, lime juice, mint, and chili. A no-cook, elegant appetizer with bold Southeast Asian flavor.