Appetizers/32 recipes

Cucumber tea sandwiches with homemade mint mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, and Dijon mustard. A 20-minute no-cook appetizer that yields 32 dainty bites for your next gathering.

Artichoke bruschetta with marinated artichoke hearts, Romano cheese, red onion and mayo on baguette slices. Easy broiled appetizer ready in 12 minutes.

Savory crab cheesecake on a buttery cracker crust with Old Bay seasoning, Tabasco, and lemon, topped with sour cream. A showstopping Maryland-style appetizer that serves 12.

Asparagus spears wrapped in bologna with a Dijon mustard and mayo spread, microwaved until hot. A quick diabetic-friendly appetizer ready in 12 minutes with just 4 ingredients.

Marinated fresh mushrooms in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, and tarragon. A make-ahead appetizer that improves over 1-2 days in the fridge.

Zesty black bean and olive dip layered over cream cheese with chopped hard-boiled eggs, lime juice, cumin, and crushed red pepper. A no-cook party appetizer that serves 12.

Party-ready shrimp mold using cream of shrimp soup, cream cheese, and gelatin for 12 servings. Baby shrimp and crab meat suspended in creamy gelatin make a vintage appetizer spread perfect with crackers or sourdough.

Note: In lieu of fresh trout, 1/2 lb cooked and flaked fish may be used. Make smaller protions and serve as an appetizer. Oatcakes that have been gently warmed in the oven go well with this dish.

Andouille was a great favorite in nineteenth-century New Orleans. This thick Cajun sausage is made with lean pork and pork fat and lots of garlic. Sliced about 1/2 inch thick and greilled, it makes a delightful appetizer. It is also used in a superb oyster and andouille gumbo poplular in Laplace, a Cajun town about 30 miles fromNew Orleans that calls itself the Andouille Capital of the World.