Appetizers recipes

Kalamarakia is classic Greek fried squid dusted in flour and pan-fried in olive oil, then finished with white wine and fresh lemon juice. A simple taverna-style appetizer ready in 30 minutes.

Shrimp stuffed mushrooms with tarragon, cracker crumbs, and a buttered breadcrumb topping baked golden. A classic seafood appetizer that fills 24 caps in 35 minutes.

Cheese and chile squares, a baked appetizer of cottage cheese, Longhorn cheddar and Monterey Jack layered with green chiles and a tabasco-spiked egg custard. Cuts into 24 crowd-ready bites for parties.

Cheese onion morsels with sharp cheddar, butter, and parsley baked into savory bite-sized drop biscuits. A make-ahead appetizer that freezes well and reheats in minutes.

Artichoke squares baked with chopped artichoke hearts, shredded cheddar, eggs, and oregano. Onion and garlic sauté in the artichoke marinade for extra depth. Great party appetizer.

Bengali-style oven-fried potatoes baked directly on greased oven racks with turmeric, cumin, and cayenne. Crisp, golden, and Indian-spiced without a drop of frying oil.

Crispy fried won tons filled with chopped dates and walnuts. A sweet three-ingredient appetizer or dessert with a crunchy shell and sticky fruit-nut center.

Moroccan-style cooked tomato and green pepper salad with cumin, garlic, chili, and lemon juice. Served warm or cold as a side dish or mezze appetizer.

Vegetarian antipasto pasta salad with rotini, cauliflower, carrots, black olives, and a garlic cider vinegar dressing. Made overnight so the flavors develop fully.

Greek spanakopita triangles with spinach, feta, and cream cheese wrapped in buttery phyllo dough. Crispy, flaky appetizers that freeze beautifully for make-ahead entertaining.

Crispy golden phyllo cups filled with a creamy smoked trout, horseradish and scallion mixture, topped with cool shredded cucumber. An elegant make-ahead appetizer that yields 48 bite-sized pieces.

Turnip soup simmered in chicken consomme with bright green peas and buttery croutons. A light, elegant French-style starter that highlights an underused root vegetable.

Olive Profumate: oil-cured black olives marinated with fennel seeds, orange zest, and sliced garlic. A no-cook Italian appetizer that keeps for two weeks in the fridge.

Excite your tastebuds with this delicious dish made with bacon slices and smoked oysters.

Cashew nut risotto with basmati and wild rice, mushrooms, red pepper, peas, and Parmesan. A British-style rice dish from legendary cook Marguerite Patten.

Flaky puff pastry pinwheels filled with sauteed mushrooms, Parmesan, and chervil. A make-ahead appetizer you can prep days in advance and bake fresh for any gathering.