Appetizers recipes

One of Mrs. Carter's favorite recipes was for a simple cheddar cheese mold. Served in a ring to be spread on crackers, the cheese appetizer was prepared for many of the Carter's family dinners and some of their official functions. One unusual ingredient was the strawberry preserves served in the centre of the ring.

Zucchini, Bell Pepper, Cucumber and Tomato Gazpacho recipe

Vegetarian Chinese boiled dumplings (shwei jow) with handmade wrappers and a tofu, mushroom, and lily bud filling. Served with a soy-vinegar dipping sauce. Makes 24.

Earthy mushrooms, crispy bacon, and cream cheese blend with herbs and breadcrumbs to form a rich, spreadable pâté that's perfect for entertaining, best served chilled with crackers or toast points.

Clam is a word which can be used for all, some, or only a few species of bivalve mollusks; the word is a common name which has no real taxonomic significance in biology. It is however quite widely used as part of the common names of bivalves, and also has significance in fisheries and cuisine.

A deviled egg is simply a stuffed egg with the addition of hot spices. There are innumerable recipes for stuffed eggs and they have been eaten since the Roman Empire.

Classic cocktail sauce with horseradish heat, tangy ketchup, and fresh lemon for shrimp or crawfish. This bold, zesty sauce balances sweet tomato with sharp horseradish bite and works for any cold seafood platter.

Homemade Cajun chicken nuggets coated in onion soup mix, breadcrumbs, chili powder, cumin, and thyme. Pan-fried or microwaved. Makes about 5 dozen bite-sized pieces for a crowd.

Throughout the Middle East, bureks are made by folding buttered, cheese-filled phyllo dough into little triangular shapes. Cigarro bureks taste the same but, as the name implies, are rolled into cylindrical shapes resembling small cigars.

Quick and easy, cheesy sausage balls that use Bisquick or other baking mix for a quick party snack.

Knead berbere spice into stiff dough, roll into thin strips, cut into bite-sized pieces, and bake until crunchy for these addictive Ethiopian snack bites.

Tender squid rings marinated in toasted spices, lime, and fish sauce, then grilled until smoky and served with a fiery peanut dipping sauce.

Glossy stir-fried chicken wings marinated in soy and dark corn syrup, then simmered with fresh ginger, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, and a splash of dry sherry. Sticky, savory, and finger-licking good.

Quick microwave stuffed pork chops ready in 25 minutes. Bread stuffing fills thick-cut chops that brown first, then cook tender in the microwave.

A creamy salmon log rolled in chopped pecans and parsley, made with canned salmon, cream cheese, horseradish, and a whisper of liquid smoke. Mix it a day ahead and let the fridge do the work.

This isn't cream of garlic soup, but it has a creamy texture. As Julia says, "Because the garlic is boiled, its after-effects are at a minimum, and its flavor becomes exquisite, aromatic and almost undefinable."