Appetizers recipes

Beef and Cheese Log: a vintage cocktail party cheese log with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, dried beef, and a pecan crust. Sliced thin onto crackers. Make-ahead party staple.

Peanuts and slivers: Asian-style fried peanuts tossed with crisp golden garlic slivers and salt. An addictive bar snack that disappears by the handful.

Pork and oyster eggroll filling: stir-fried ground pork with shucked oysters, mushrooms, red pepper, pineapple, and sesame oil. A seafood-forward take on the classic Chinese-American eggroll interior.

Gazpacho sevillano, the authentic chilled Andalusian tomato soup blended with ripe tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, garlic, sherry vinegar, and olive oil over soaked bread. No-cook, silky, and built for hot days.

Steamed ancient egg diamonds set fresh eggs, century (preserved) egg, and salted duck egg into one silky steamed custard, then cut into diamonds. A classic Chinese three-egg dish with a striking marbled look.

A vibrant Moroccan-style salad of grilled and skinned bell peppers, fresh tomatoes, and Spanish onion dressed in a simple garlic, olive oil, and vinegar vinaigrette. Served chilled for a refreshing side dish or starter.

Crispy fried crab wontons with spinach and cream cheese, served with a sweet-spicy blackberry Szechuan dipping sauce. A stunning fusion appetizer that bridges East and West.

Saganaki: Greek flaming kasseri cheese pan-fried in butter, deglazed with lemon juice and cognac, and lit at the table for an "Opa!" tableside appetizer.

Authentic Jamaican beef patties with golden turmeric-curry pastry and spiced ground beef filling. Caribbean street food you can make at home, make-ahead friendly.

Crispy breaded meatballs packed with ground pork, sauerkraut, and cream cheese, fried golden and served with a mustard-mayo dipping sauce. A bold German-style appetizer that makes 3 dozen.

Fresh citrus and pineapple salsa with orange, jalapeño, cilantro, green onion, and lime zest. A bright, no-cook fruit salsa for grilled fish, chicken, or chips.

Cajun file gumbo built on homemade chicken stock with a dark butter roux, andouille sausage, and the holy trinity. Thickened with file powder and served over rice.

Egg foo yung: Chinese-American egg pancakes with bean sprouts and crab or shrimp, pan-fried and served with a thickened soy sauce gravy. Quick, satisfying dinner ready in 45 minutes.

Cold spinach dip loaded with crunchy water chestnuts and scallions in a creamy mayo-and-sour-cream base. The retro party classic, served in a hollowed rye bread bowl with chips for scooping.

Salmon nachos topped with flaked canned salmon, fresh tomatoes, green chiles, yogurt, and melted cheddar. A quick seafood twist on classic nachos baked until bubbly.

Traditional Swedish koettbullar made with a three-meat blend of beef, veal, and pork with cream-soaked breadcrumbs and freshly grated nutmeg. Authentic Scandinavian meatballs.