Appetizers recipes

Homemade duck sauce from peach preserves, white vinegar, fresh ginger, and scallions. Four ingredients, 20 minutes, and far better than the takeout packets.

Mini crab cakes baked in muffin tins with a panko-parmesan crust and creamy cream cheese filling. Lemon-orange-scented appetizer bites for cocktail parties, showers, and holiday gatherings.

Italian marinated eggplant sott'olio made with Japanese eggplant simmered in red wine vinegar, then layered with fresh mint, garlic, and red pepper flakes under olive oil. Marinate two days for bold antipasto flavor.

A simple and scrumptious salsa dip that doesn't take a lot of effort to make or even enjoy!

Leek and goat cheese tart with balsamic-braised leeks and cream layered over crumbled chevre in a pre-baked shell. An elegant French vegetarian tart with rich, tangy flavor.

Italian lentil crostini topped with a velvety lentil puree and bubbly melted Fontina cheese. Earthy, rich, and ready for your next antipasto spread.

Cold sauced shrimp appetizer in a creamy curry-chili sauce with horseradish, mango chutney, capers, and a kick of Tabasco. A make-ahead party dish that improves overnight.

Make-ahead bloomin' sauce and dip with sour cream, cream cheese, and picante sauce, ready for chips, pretzels, or fried onion petals. Five ingredients, one bowl, eight hours of fridge time to do its work.

Creamy microwaved spinach blends frozen spinach with sauteed onion, butter, cream cheese, and a pinch of nutmeg into a rich, no-bake side dish in 20 minutes. A microwave shortcut to creamed spinach.

Sun-dried tomato tapenade blends rehydrated tomatoes with black olives, capers, garlic, and lemon zest. A bright Provençal spread for bread, crackers, or grilled chicken.

Seafood lovers will surely enjoy this succulent dish that's extremely easy to make and enjoy.

Thai fried tofu triangles with a sweet-sour peanut dipping sauce made from vinegar, sugar, chili powder, and ground roasted peanuts. A crispy vegetarian appetizer.

Veal chops Italienne: seared veal chops finished in a quick microwave tomato, oregano, and red wine sauce with a parmesan crust. Italian-style weeknight veal in under 30 minutes.

Cold microwave borscht with grated beets, lemon juice, and a chilled overnight rest. A streamlined Eastern European soup ready in 12 minutes of cook time, finished with cold sour cream.

Crab-stuffed jalapenos with a crispy bread crumb coating, fried golden brown. Fresh crab meat, sauteed aromatics, and fiery peppers make this Tex-Mex appetizer unforgettable.

Low-fat marinated vegetable platter with crisp broccoli, carrots, celery, red pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in tangy Italian dressing. Make-ahead appetizer that gets better as it chills.