Appetizers recipes

Gingered Tomato Broth with Pappadam Noodles recipe

Moroccan tagine of okra and tomatoes uses a clever string-the-okra technique to keep pods whole while poaching in spiced tomato sauce. A vegetarian Maghreb classic served hot or warm.

Light chicken asparagus quiche built on a crisp phyllo crust instead of buttery pastry, with a lean filling of egg whites, ricotta and Swiss folded with tender chicken and asparagus. A protein-packed, lightened brunch.

Cajun remoulade sauce with brown mustard, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, and Tabasco, served with fresh vegetable crudites. A tangy, spicy no-cook dip for raw veggies.

Oysters Lafitte: oysters on the half shell topped with crabmeat in dill cream and a tarragon béarnaise, broiled until golden. A French Quarter classic for the brave home cook.

Layered Tex-Mex dip with bean dip, guacamole, taco-seasoned sour cream, tomatoes, olives, and sharp cheddar. A no-cook party platter that feeds a crowd in 15 minutes.

Greek pita dip tosses cubed feta, black Greek olives, roasted red peppers, and red onion in olive oil with balsamic vinegar and thyme. Serve with toasted pita.

Spicy homemade dill pickles with hot chili peppers, garlic, mustard seeds, and fresh dill in a vinegar brine. Crunchy, fiery refrigerator pickles ready in 3 to 4 weeks.

Roasted eggplant and pepper salad with celery, garlic, black olives, red wine vinegar, and oregano. A make-ahead Italian antipasto served at room temperature.

Polenta Toscana with rosemary and toasted walnuts sauteed in olive oil, stirred into creamy polenta. Serve it soft or cool it and slice into crostini. A simple Tuscan vegetarian side or appetizer.

Crab stuffed mushroom caps with snow crab, Parmesan, horseradish, and bread crumbs. Baked then broiled until golden for a hot, savory appetizer ready in 30 minutes.

A dairy-free Greek spinach pie with homemade olive oil pastry, fresh spinach, curly endive, dill, scallions, and lemon zest. Traditional Lenten spanakopita, completely vegan.

Chicken cheddar tortilla pizzas crisp corn tortillas in oil, then top them with seasoned chicken, tomato, onion, green pepper, pizza sauce, and melted cheese. A Tex-Mex pizza in 25 minutes.

Crispy fried wontons stuffed with pork, shrimp, and napa cabbage, pan-fried in peanut oil and glazed with teriyaki. Served with a sweet orange marmalade dipping sauce.

Vegetarian shao mai dumplings with hand-rolled hot-water dough and two filling options: mashed tofu or minced water chestnut and mushroom. Bamboo steamer classic, freezer-friendly.

Open-faced pesto, tomato, and melted cheese sandwich on a roll, broiled until bubbly. Five-minute lunch with bright basil pesto and gooey cheese.