Appetizer Recipes

Pan-seared salmon on a bed of creamy leek fondue with a saffron butter sauce. A French-style restaurant dish with two distinct sauces built from wine, shallots, and cream.

Salmon cucumber rounds with canned salmon, yogurt cheese, lemon zest, and tarragon piped onto crisp cucumber slices. A light, make-ahead party appetizer.

Salsa de Linda is an easy, no-cook salsa: a coarsely blended tomato base loaded with chopped onion, peppers, and green chilies, then spiced with cumin, oregano, garlic, and cayenne. Ready for chips in 10 minutes.

Italian spinach sauce for pasta made by blending raw spinach, lettuce, capers, lemon juice, and olive oil into a vibrant green puree. Quick, fresh, and vegetarian.

Fish samoosa filling with flaked fish, green chilies, lemon juice, and fresh coriander. A spicy South African-style filling for about 30 samoosas.

A South African-style spiced mince filling for samoosas: beef or mutton braised dry with jeera, ginger, garlic, turmeric, fresh coriander and mint. The keep-it-dry method that stops samoosas from going soggy.

Traditional samosa pastry dough (Khol) made from whole wheat flour, ghee, salt, and a pinch of baking powder. Stiff pliable wrappers for crisp, flaky homemade samosas.

Italian sausage bread stuffed with hot sausage, mozzarella, Romano cheese, and eggs rolled in bread dough. A savory jelly-roll appetizer that freezes well.

Hot sausage dip with ground beef, Velveeta, Rotel tomatoes, chili peppers, and cream of mushroom soup. A thick, meaty, spicy cheese dip for game day.

Pan-fried tofu in a wok with a golden, crispy crust on both sides. A simple two-ingredient base recipe for stir-fries, rice bowls, or serving with your favorite dipping sauce.

Savory pumpkin spread mixes canned pumpkin puree with nutritional yeast, marjoram, dry mustard, and garlic salt. Vegan, no-cook, and ready in minutes. Thin with water for a dipping sauce.

Chilled Scandinavian raspberry soup, a silky cold fruit soup brightened with orange and lemon and a splash of white wine. Served cold over fresh orange sections with a swirl of sour cream and mint.

A quick veggie-loaded egg scramble with mushrooms, red pepper, and cream cheese stuffed into a warm pita pocket. Light, filling, and on the table in 20 minutes.

Selyodka pod ukropnym sousom is a Russian herring appetizer marinated in red wine vinegar, olive oil, sugar, and dill. A classic cold zakuska that chills for hours before serving.

Russian herring in mustard sauce with sour cream, olive oil, and capers. A classic cold zakuska appetizer that marinates for hours and pairs with dark bread and vodka.

Whole mushrooms dipped in seasoned egg and coated in sesame seeds, then baked until golden and crunchy. A simple, nutty appetizer with just five ingredients.