Appetizers recipes

Lime chicken strips marinated overnight in limeade concentrate, tequila, lime zest, and cloves, then baked until golden. A tangy, sweet-citrus party appetizer with a margarita-inspired kick.

Layered bean dip with refried beans, taco-seasoned ground beef, shredded lettuce, chunky salsa, and melted cheddar. A crowd-pleasing party appetizer served with tortilla chips.

Moroccan tomato and roasted green pepper salad from Fez with cumin, paprika, preserved lemon, and olive oil. A smoky, bright North African appetizer or side dish.

Crostini topped with sweet pea pesto and halved cherry tomatoes. A 15-minute vegetarian appetizer that swaps frozen peas for basil, no blanching or expensive pine nuts required.

Jamaican beef patties with curried ground beef filling in a flaky turmeric-tinted pastry shell. Baked golden and freezer-friendly. Makes about 30 patties for parties or meal prep.

Bacon-cheese dip blends Roquefort, cream cheese, sour cream, and crisp bacon with garlic and a hint of hot sauce. A cocktail-party classic ready in 15 minutes flat.

Seafood crepes stuff thin pancakes with poached monkfish, scallops, and shrimp bound in a garlic-infused Gruyère cream sauce, then bake until bubbling. A French bistro starter or light luncheon dish that punches well above its ingredient list.

Mini crab tarts in flaky pastry shells with Swiss cheese, cream cheese, nutmeg, and shredded carrots. Baked until set and golden for an elegant, bite-sized seafood treat.

Smoky, briny oysters folded into whipped cream cheese with horseradish kick, topped with butter-toasted almonds, and baked until bubbling. The hot dip that turns any party into an event.

Provençal aioli platter: poached cod, beef carpaccio, blanched vegetables, baby potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs arranged around homemade garlic aioli. The summer party centerpiece.

Rolled calzone stuffed with pesto, ham, capicola, provolone, roasted red peppers, and pepperoncini. Homemade herb pizza dough baked golden and sliced into pinwheels.

Creamed scallops in wine sauce, a retro microwave-friendly coquilles St. Jacques with mushrooms, white wine, and cream. Broiled golden in shells or ramekins for an elegant starter.

Microwave baked sweet potatoes deliver tender, fluffy potatoes in minutes. Scrub, pierce, arrange in a circle with space between them, and microwave to perfection. Quickest healthy side dish without firing up the oven.

Whole garlic heads roasted in chicken broth with fresh thyme until soft and spreadable. Served with creamy goat cheese and toasted sourdough bread.

Mexican cheese squares are a baked cheddar, egg, sour cream, and green chile appetizer cut into squares. A make-ahead party snack that also freezes and reheats beautifully.

Garlic shrimp crostini on toasted French bread rounds with a garlicky cream cheese spread, cherry tomato halves, and fresh parsley. Makes 24 bite-sized party appetizers.