Appetizer Recipes

Elegant smoked salmon tart in a flaky phyllo crust with a rich custard of eggs, cream, Dijon mustard, and fresh dill. Serve warm or at room temperature for brunch or entertaining.

Fried calamari done the simple way: fresh squid dredged in flour, fried golden, then hit with lemon, salt, and pepper. The classic Italian-American appetizer with no fussy batter.

Sesame-crusted tofu cubes fried golden and served with a homemade plum dipping sauce made from fresh plums, soy, and teriyaki. A vegetarian party appetizer that serves 16.

Aceitunas rellenas: anchovy-stuffed olives marinated in garlic, white wine vinegar, and olive oil with bright pimentos. The salty Spanish tapas bite for cocktail hour and antipasto trays.

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Classic deviled eggs with creamy yolks, Dijon mustard, and a splash of light mayo. A 5-ingredient Southern picnic staple and Easter brunch essential that pipes beautifully into 24 perfect halves.

No-cook salmon pate with cream cheese, horseradish, and a hint of liquid smoke. A creamy make-ahead appetizer spread for crackers or party rye bread.

Chicken pinwheels made from pounded chicken breasts rolled around ham slices with basil and garlic, baked and chilled, then sliced into elegant rounds. A make-ahead appetizer that looks impressive with minimal effort.

Baked bay scallops with sauteed mushrooms, shallots, and breadcrumbs served in seafood shells. A classic French-style appetizer finished under the broiler.

Oven-fried zucchini sticks bread fresh zucchini in a whole wheat flour and cornmeal mix, then bake on a hot sheet pan until golden crisp. No deep fryer, no guilt.

Baked Brie with a homemade cranberry-pear compote, honey, currants, and pumpkin pie spice. A warm, bubbly holiday appetizer served with melba rounds or sliced fruit.

Salmon pate made with poached fresh salmon and smoked salmon, blended with butter, dill, and sour cream. Sealed with clarified butter for an elegant make-ahead appetizer.

Sambal goreng telor, Indonesian hard-boiled eggs simmered in a spicy coconut milk and red pepper sauce with galangal. A quick 20-minute Southeast Asian egg dish.

Manhattan clam chowder made in the microwave with minced clams, bacon, tomato juice, and thyme. A brothy, tomato-based chowder ready in about 20 minutes.

Sweet potato pancakes with creamy mushroom ragout pair crispy panko-crusted sweet potato cakes with a sage-and-shallot wild mushroom cream sauce. An elegant vegetarian appetizer or holiday side.

No-crust spinach pie with ricotta, eggs, sauteed mushrooms, and red peppers. A crustless, low-carb take on spinach quiche that comes together in minutes.