Appetizer Recipes

Soup Royale, the Italian napkin soup with a savory Parmesan-egg dumpling poached in a napkin, then sliced into cubes for a clear chicken-and-beef broth. Vintage technique that yields elegant restaurant-style soup.

Creamy sour cream clam dip with lemon juice, celery salt, and minced onion. A no-cook retro appetizer that comes together in minutes using canned clams.

Classic British soused herrings slow-baked in a tangy bath of white wine vinegar, lemon juice, Marmite, and pickling spices. Served cold as a traditional pub-style appetizer.

Smoky Southern catfish pate blended with cream cheese, butter, red wine, garlic, and lemon. A silky, no-cook spread served chilled on toast fingers with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

Southwest guacamole with ripe avocados, garlic, chopped tomatoes, and fresh lime juice. Five ingredients, no cooking, and chunky enough to scoop with chips.

Southwest riblets baked in a mole-inspired sauce with ground red chiles, unsweetened chocolate, juniper berries, tomato paste, and apple cider vinegar. A smoky, complex, slightly bitter glaze on tender pork back ribs.

Microwave antipasto with tuna, olives, peppers, mushrooms, and carrots in a tangy tomato-ketchup sauce. Make-ahead appetizer that keeps for two weeks in the fridge.

Oven-baked sweet potato fries tossed in curry powder, turmeric, cumin, and ginger. A vegan Indian-spiced side that turns out crispy outside, soft inside, with a warm golden color.

Curry-spiced baked sweet potato sticks with turmeric, cumin, and ginger. Skin-on fries roasted at high heat until crispy outside and creamy inside. A healthy vegan side dish.

Spiced lentil and brown rice soup simmers green lentils, brown rice, tomatoes, and herbs in a sherry-spiked broth. Hearty vegan and gluten-free dinner soup.

Spiced melon cocktail with honeydew balls, flaked crabmeat, and a tangy whipped cream-mayo dressing spiked with paprika, hot sauce, and Worcestershire. A retro dinner-party starter with coastal flair.

Cinnamon candy apple Jello salad with applesauce and a cream cheese topping. A retro molded gelatin side dish with warm cinnamon heat and tangy lemon notes.

Spicy roasted cashews coated in corn syrup with cumin, curry powder, and cayenne pepper. Baked low and slow until crunchy and addictive. A bold snack or gift idea.

Spicy beef lettuce cups loaded with sirloin stir-fried in soy sauce, ginger, garlic, and Chinese five spice. A crispy, low-carb appetizer that comes together in just 20 minutes.

a great appetizer for the spicy food lovers (uses tapatio hot suace)

Ligurian caviar is an Italian olive paste spread blended with capers and red pepper flakes. A briny, spicy vegetarian crostini topping that keeps in the fridge for two weeks.