Appetizers recipes

Fish samoosa filling with flaked fish, green chilies, lemon juice, and fresh coriander. A spicy South African-style filling for about 30 samoosas.

Gingered cabbage-beet salad with red cabbage, pickled beets, sweet cherries, crystallized ginger, and red wine vinegar. A vibrant make-ahead slaw that marinates overnight and keeps for 2 days.

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

Indian gobhi samosas stuffed with grated cauliflower, peas, cumin seed, garam masala, amchoor, and asafetida, then deep-fried until golden and crisp. A spiced vegetarian snack perfect with chutney.

Wine fruit cup with sliced plums, nectarines, and golden raisins soaked in a spiced white wine syrup infused with anise, cinnamon, and lemon. A chilled starter that doubles as a light summer dessert.

Classic homemade hummus with chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, and scallions, blended thick and creamy. Vegan Middle Eastern dip ready in 15 minutes.

Sesame rice noodles toss soaked vermicelli with sesame oil, chile oil, bean sprouts, scallions, and cilantro. Light, fragrant Chinese-style noodles ready in 20 minutes, served hot or chilled.

Curry mayo dip whisks mayonnaise with curry powder, scallions, and Worcestershire for a fast 5-minute party dip. Pairs with crudites, chips, and chicken tenders.

Black olive paste (pure di olive nere) blends pitted Italian or French olives with olive oil, lemon, pepper, and bread crumbs. Italian-style spread for crostini, sandwiches, and pasta. Vegan, keeps for weeks.

Fresh microwave spinach in 5 minutes flat with no oil, no fuss, just clean leaves and steam. The fastest way to a tender, nutrient-packed side that actually keeps its bright green color.

Raspberry glaze simmers seedless raspberry preserves with port wine and lemon zest into a glossy 15-minute sauce. For roast meats, desserts, or cheese boards.

Garlic guacamole with tofu: a vegan, lighter take on guacamole stretched with silken tofu and amped up with six garlic cloves, hot sauce, and curry powder. Bold flavors, half the avocado.

Dill pickles brine whole cucumbers in a hot vinegar, water, and salt solution with garlic and fresh dill. Old-fashioned canning jar pickles ready to crack open in 3 to 4 weeks.

Chestnut soup with roasted chestnuts, sauteed onion and celery, simmered in a blend of water and apple juice with soy sauce and nutmeg. A naturally creamy vegetarian soup with no dairy.

Grilled polenta topped with charred radicchio, olive oil, and a drizzle of vinegar. A rustic Italian antipasto where crispy-edged polenta meets the bitter smoky bite of grilled chicory.

Chilled creamy avocado soup pureed with chicken broth, heavy cream, cognac, and sherry. A no-cook dinner-party starter served in frozen avocado shells.