Appetizers recipes

Lightened potato skins with crispy russet shells, sharp cheddar, turkey bacon, and fresh chives, served with low-fat sour cream. All the steakhouse appetizer flavor, way less guilt.

Harvard beets in a sweet and tangy cornstarch glaze made in the microwave. Five ingredients, ready in minutes using canned beets. A classic New England side dish.

Prawn pate with minced shrimp, cream cheese, butter, sour cream, and a kick of hot sauce. A smooth, no-cook seafood spread served on hot toast triangles as an elegant appetizer.

Pink pickled eggs in beet juice and apple cider vinegar with onion and whole cloves. The classic Pennsylvania Dutch tavern snack, dyed bright magenta and tangy-sweet from the vinegar brine.

Sausage triangles with pork sausage, mushrooms, and Monterey Jack cheese wrapped in buttered phyllo dough and baked golden. A crispy, flaky make-ahead appetizer for parties.

Honey mustard salad dressing with a creamy sour cream and mayo base, Dijon mustard, and honey. Five-minute no-cook recipe that doubles as a dip for chicken tenders or veggies.

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.

Vegetable momos are Tibetan steamed dumplings with mixed vegetables, tofu, ginger, garlic, and garam masala wrapped in thin dough. Vegetarian Himalayan street food, served with hot momo sauce.

Ma-po's pork brains is a traditional Sichuan offal stir-fry pairing silky poached pork brains with crispy ground pork, chili nam yuey, ginger, and Shaoxing wine. A regional classic for adventurous eaters.

Kishka (stuffed derma) made with flour, corn flakes, bread, and paprika rolled in foil and baked until firm. A classic Jewish deli appetizer that freezes beautifully for Shabbat or holidays.

Golden, puffy souffle roll filled with a warm cream cheese and crab meat filling. This impressive rolled souffle with Parmesan and chives slices into elegant pinwheels.

Garlic-parsley finger sandwiches blend fresh garlic, chopped parsley, and mayonnaise into a tea-time spread on thinly sliced white bread. Four-ingredient party appetizer cut on the diagonal.

Blue cornmeal crepes made with eggs, milk, and clarified butter for a thin, tender wrapper with earthy corn flavor. Fill with salsa, crabmeat, or your favorite stuffing.

Feuillete d'escargots et cepes, Burgundian puff pastry shells filled with escargot, chanterelles and cepes in a Santenay wine sauce. Classic French bistro appetizer at its finest.

Homemade jalapeno cheese crackers with cheddar, cornmeal, and chili powder. Crispy, spicy, and buttery with real jalapeno pieces baked right into the dough.

Onion and mushroom bhajis are Indian-style fritters dipped in spiced yogurt batter and deep-fried golden. Crisp, vegetarian appetizer with turmeric, cumin, coriander, and chili. Makes 10 fritters.