Appetizers

• 

  These tasty morsels and bite-size delights set the tone for any dinner party or get together. Giving your guests a taste of what’s to come as you put the finishing touches on the main course.

Apple Butter Barbecued Shrimp Few appetizers are more crowd-pleasing than plump shrimp wrapped in bacon. Give the shrimp a coating of maple syrup, apple butter and Dijon mustard before wrapping in the bacon and you’ll take the ubiquitous combination to new heights.More.	Arancine di Riso In addition to being fine snacks, these Sicilian Rice Croquettes make excellent antipasti at parties. If you make several small batches with different fillings, they work very well with other fried foods. Or for a lighter meal, just serve them with a tossed salad.More.
Artichoke and Ricotta Tartlets These Artichoke and Ricotta Tartlets make an excellent appetizer for your next party. They are delicious served as finger food, with no utensils or plates required.More.	Bacon-Olive Spread Creamy, tangy, salty, tart – these are adjectives that well describe this delicious Bacon-Olive Spread. Simply reading the ingredients will have any spread lover’s mouth watering.More.
Bacon-Tomato Dip During the summer, I’m always testing new recipes for quick snacks and hors d’oeuvres. This quick dip is a favorite when entertaining guests, and it comes together in a snap.More.	Baked Brie During the holiday season, we’re all on the lookout for a quick and elegant hors d’oeuvre. This recipe fills the bill as an delicious appetizer, or a fast offering for unexpected guests.  More.
Baked Marinated Feta A block of salty feta and some crusty bread make an easy, impromptu appetizer. But marinate the feta in some good olive oil flavored with crushed red pepper, lemon, garlic and oregano then bake it in the oven and you have something truly delicious.More.	Baked Shrimp with Romesco Sauce What could be better for a tapas buffet than garlicky oven-baked shrimp with a luscious romesco sauce for dipping? The shrimp and the sauce are both so quick and easy; you’ll want to find ways to enjoy them individually.More.
Baked Vegetable Samosas Almost every culinary tradition has a “hand pie.” There are pasties in Great Britain, empanadas in Spain, and calzones in Italy. In India, there are samosas, yummy little hand pies of tender dough filled with potatoes and other ingredients.More.	Beef Sate Sate can be made with a variety of foods. In fact, practically anything served on a bamboo skewer is a “sate.” Pork and chicken are the most common on restaurant menus, but here, thin slices of beef are given a flavorful marinade and are grilled.More.
Bite-Size Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon and Creme Fraiche Traditionally served at Hanukkah, a latke is a pancake made from grated potatoes, onions and seasonings. Chag Sameach - that’s Yiddish for Happy Holidays! More.	Black Bean and Mango Quesadillas Quesadillas are a great answer to the “what’s for dinner” question. If you’ve got tortillas, you can stuff them with practically anything, grill ‘em up and call them quesadillas.More.
Blue Cheese and Toasted Walnut Canapés with Caramelized Onion and Apple Relish This delightful little canapé is a twist on that classic pairing. Crowned with caramelized apples and onions spiked with Ruby Port, it delivers a beautiful blend of these traditional English flavors in a single bite. Cheers!More.	Blue Crab Beignets
Bourbon-Brown Sugar Salmon Nuggets These Bourbon-Brown Sugar Salmon "Nuggets" make a perfect cocktail party nibble or a delicious salad topper.More.	Catfish Pinwheels with Bleu Cheese, Dried Cherries and Arugula U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.
Catfish Quiche U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.	Catfish Shrimp and Stuffed Mushrooms U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.
Cheddar and Mustard Seed Biscotti Biscotti are usually sweet, crunchy cookies perfect for dipping in a cup of coffee, but the concept translates into savory munchies that can be served on their own or spread with cream cheese and Easy Winter Tomato Jam.More.	Cheese Straws Cheese straws are about as Southern as it gets. These savory little crisp pickup nibbles are served at cocktail parties and most older Southern hostesses have a box of cheese straws on top of the fridge or in the freezer during the holidays.More.
Chicken and Shrimp Dumplings Pan-seared or steamed in a bamboo steamer, Asian dumplings are a family favorite at my house. And, with the help of prepared wonton wrappers and a few other ingredients they are quite simple to prepare.More.	Citrus Salmon Butter Shrimp Butter is a popular appetizer spread in the South and this recipe takes the idea and enhances it with pink salmon and loads of citrus flavor.More.
Coconut Shrimp with Spicy Peanut Dipping Sauce In this celebratory dish, spicy peanut sauce creates the perfect foil for sweet crispy coconut shrimp. Also wonderful on raw or grilled vegetables and roasted or grilled chicken, the peanut sauce can be made up to 2 days in advance.More.	Corn Chile Cakes These small corn chile cakes are delicious served as finger food, with no utensils or plates required.More.
Crabmeat Cocktail Martinis In this presentation, the term "cocktail" takes on additional meaning by serving the crabmeat in a martini glass and dressing it with a Bloody Mary-like vinaigrette.More.	Crab Quesadillas Quesadillas are a versatile, easy-to-prepare hors d’oeuvre or light entree. They can be filled simply with grated cheese, or with a more elaborate filling.More.
Crab Ravioli in Red Pepper Broth Homemade ravioli can be a labor of love, or it can be whipped up in a snap using prepared eggroll or wonton wrappers from your grocer’s produce section.More.	Cranberry-Blue Cheese Ball Thanksgiving dinner, holiday parties, teachers and hostess gifts – aren’t we all looking for a quick yet special recipe for these occasions? With just a few ingredients you can create a delicious and festive treat for gift giving or entertaining that highlights one of the staples of the season – cranberries.More.
Cranberry-Brie Tarts The taste of the holidays in one bite is a befitting description of my recipe for Cranberry-Brie Tarts. More.	Crawfish Pies Traditionally, crawfish pies are savory turnovers made with basic pastry dough which are deep-fried. We’ve chosen to use prepared puff pastry dough, because it produces a buttery, flakey crust and is quick and easy to use.More.
Creamy Black Bean Dip Every time you make this quick and easy dip it will disappear quickly. The recipe is prepared using pantry and refrigerator staples and it is always a hit at summer get togethers. Add some chopped jalapeno peppers if you like things hot and spicy!More.	Creamy Tomato Fondue This updated fondue recipe is perfect for a cocktail party or before a winter dinner when entertaining.More.
Crostini Neri - Black Crostini, Traditional Crostini of Loro Ciuffenna	Crostone col Finocchio e Fagioli - White Bean and Fennel Croston
Curried Chutney Dip If you serve this dip to those who think they don’t like curry, they'll quickly change their minds. The creamy dip is flavored with standard “American” curry powder along with mango chutney for far-away flavor. Crystallized ginger adds a spicy-sweet flavor and cashews add crunch.More.	Curried Deviled Easter Eggs Deviled eggs are a perennial favorite at family gatherings, especially at Easter when hardboiled eggs abound. But unlike Grandma’s eggs, seasoned with yellow mustard and a bit of relish, these Curried Deviled Easter Eggs are packed with complex flavors.More.
Daikon Fettucine with Tomato-Basil Sauce Here ribbons of daikon, the mild oversized white Japanese radish, pose as pasta. They are tossed with a quick tomato sauce spiked with a generous amount of fresh basil. The dish is light and is best served as a first course.More.	Eggplant Roulades Variations on Eggplant Roulades abound. Here, Slices of eggplant are broiled and then stuffed with a combination of three cheeses and wrapped up in a piece of smoky prosciutto.More.
Feta Cheese Ball When many "foodies" hear the term "cheese ball" they instantly turn up their noses, envisioning a store bought, nut coated, port wine laced concoction from the supermarket. But all cheese balls are not created equally.More.	Five-Way Artichoke Dip Summer is here, and with it comes a season of casual backyard get togethers. My husband and I often invite neighbors over for frozen drinks on the deck, or meet friends at the pool for hors d’oeuvres and an evening swim.More.
Foil-Pouch Coconut Curried Mussels Remember those foil “hobo” packets you cooked on the open fire at summer camp? The recipe is the perfect way to show off your Viking outdoor grill, and the clams or mussels are perfectly moist when cooked in the steamy foil packets.More.	Goat Cheese, Walnut, and Spinach Terrine Cheese spreads are always a hit at parties, from tailgate time to holiday gatherings. This Goat Cheese, Walnut and Spinach Terrine is just a dressed up cheese spread that is as pretty to look at as it is delicious.More.
Gougeres Pate a Choux is a classic French preparation that’s used in everything from savory pastries to sweet éclairs. And, it is one of the simplest French pastries to master.More.	Grilled Chicken Skewers with Honey Pomegranate Glaze The sweet-tart blend of honey and pomegranate molasses makes a wonderful glaze for grilled chicken. Pomegranate molasses is syrup made from cooked pomegranate juice. It is used extensively in Turkish cuisine and other Mediterranean dishes.More.
Grilled Corn Salsa During July the corner produce stands abound with fresh, crisp corn. Shucked, thrown on the grill, and sprinkled with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, nothing could be better.More.	Grilled Salmon Skewers with Orange Miso Dipping Sauce These Grilled Salmon Skewers with Orange Miso Dipping Sauce is a delicious appetizer that won’t have you missing your own party to prepare.More.
Grilled Shrimp with Scampi Butter Shrimp scampi is a classic in which plump shrimp are sautéed in garlic butter. I’ve updated the recipe to add flavor and flair.More.	Ham and Brie Quesadillas Sometimes a semi-crisis can breed culinary creativity. That’s definitely the case with my Ham and Brie Quesadillas.More.
Holy Guacamole Creamy avocados, spicy jalapenos and tart lime juice on a salty tortilla chip – there aren’t many combinations as sublime. While I love the plain and simple traditional guacamole, I’ve taken the recipe one step closer to heaven in my recipe for Holy Guacamole.More.	Hot Clam Dip Some people keep a stash of cash for emergencies. I keep a stash of pantry and refrigerator staples for unexpected guests.More.
Island Barbecued Shrimp It is hard to imagine improving on a combination as sublime as jumbo shrimp wrapped in salty bacon, but my recipe for Island Barbecued Shrimp takes a stab at it.More.	Jerk Shrimp Skewers Crank up the Bob Marley, fire up the grill and pop open a Red Stripe. These Jerk Shrimp Skewers will send you and your guests on a trip to Jamaica without the airline ticket.More.
Kim's Shoyu Wings Chicken wings are party favorites, and I discovered a new way to prepare them on a recent trip to the island of Oahu.More.	Lemon and Olive Oil-Roasted Artichoke Quarters Roasted artichoke hearts are an indulgence I savor when big, unblemished artichokes appear in my supermarket. The first "in-season" artichokes usually begin appearing in early February, with their peak months being March and April.More.
Mango Gazpacho with Spiced Shrimp Skewers Gazpacho is a summertime favorite because it’s simple to prepare, it’s cold and it highlights in-season produce. While most gazpachos are tomato-based, this luscious, crunchy gazpacho includes no tomatoes but has a healthy dose of ripe mangoes instead.More.	Marinated Eggplant This tasty Sicilian-inspired antipasto highlights eggplant’s meaty texture while flavoring it with a garlic and bay-infused vinaigrette. Serve as a plated starter in our Flavors of Sicily menu and then serve leftovers on thick Italian bread layered with sliced tomatoes and provolone cheese.More.
Marinated Feta Bruschetta	Marinated Olives and Cheese Garlicky, tangy and frankly addictive, my recipe for Marinated Olives and Cheese is a flavorful way to welcome unexpected guests. Served in small bowls with toothpicks, the bites of olive and cheese are a terrific accompaniment to cocktails and pair especially well with a dry red wine.More.
Mediterranean Pizzas Some ingredients were made for each other, and the cuisine of the Mediterranean combines ingredients like olives, cheeses and herbs with ethereal results.More.	Mini Catfish Cakes with Peachy Tartar Sauce Crab cakes are celebrated in the South from Maryland to Florida , but good lump crabmeat can be very pricey. U.S. Farm-Raised catfish, on the other hand, is readily available and far less expensive, so I came up with these delicious Mini Catfish Cakes to highlight this domestic ingredient.More.
Mini-Peking Duck Rolls with Scallion Brushes and Plum Sauce Traditional Peking Duck is quite an involved process! While not traditional, this easy to-prepare recipe will bring the flavors of Peking duck to your kitchen.More.	Muhammara Muhammara is a delicious Middle Eastern appetizer made from peppers and walnuts. Paired with pita chips or veggies, it's a perfect spicy party dip.More.
Mushroom and Arugula Galette This Mushroom and Arugula Galette is high on flavor and boasts a rich, flaky crust. The cheesy mushroom filling will leave your guests begging for more.  More.	Mushroom and Blue Cheese Crostini Earthy fresh mushrooms. Sharp, tangy blue cheese. If just reading about these ingredients makes your mouth water, you’ll love these rich Mushroom and Blue Crostini. Both flavors, along with salty pancetta and a little garlic, means these crostini pair well with a hearty red wine.More.
Oven-Baked Catfish Cakes with Lemon Caper Sauce U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.	Parmigiano Reggiano Galettes with Artichoke Puree and Crisp Pancetta Another variation on galettes, these flaky delicacies are filled with a zesty artichoke filling you don't want to miss.More.
Party Crab Spread Making a list and checking it twice may be Santa’s secret for a successful holiday season. But for me the secret is cream cheese.More.	Pear and Pine Nut Bread Right now the food world is infatuated with cheese. Today, cheese making is an art form, and artisanal cheeses are available at specialty food stores across the country.More.
Pita Crispers Pita chips are available at most supermarkets, but it wasn’t long ago that serving pita chips meant making them yourself. Fortunately, they’re not difficult to prepare and making your own is much more economical.More.	Pork Pot Stickers Children love pot stickers, and they are amazed at how easy they are to prepare. This recipe is one of the simplest around, and is always a class favorite when I teach children’s cooking classes.More.
Pork Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce If you’re perusing a Thai restaurant menu, there will surely be a listing for pork or chicken satays among the appetizers. Americanized versions are often brushed with peanut sauce before grilling, but in more authentic versions the meat rests in a flavorful marinade before being grilled.More.	Prosciutto Melon Canapes For a fun, colorful food presentation, try these Prosciutto Melon Canapes at your next party.More.
Queso Dip and Chips "Queso" is the Spanish word for cheese. Queso dip is great with tortilla chips and fresh veggies such as carrots and celery. It’s also good as a sauce for cooked veggies like broccoli and cauliflower.More.	Red Hot Nuts and Bolts It's always good to have a little pick-up nibble on hand during the holidays and this spicy, crunchy snack mix fills the bill.More.
Roasted Vegetable and Boursin Canapés These are flaky phyllo cups filled with savory Mediterranean vegetable and Boursin, which is a triple-cream cheese blended with garlic, herbs and spices.More.	Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn Popcorn is an all-time favorite movie treat, but this Rosemary-Parmesan Popcorn takes popcorn at home to a whole new level.More.
Saucy Chicken Wings Marinara Chicken wings are popular party fare, and this version has Italian flare. A combination of prepared marinara, garlic and red wine coats the wings before they’re baked. Fresh garlic, crushed red pepper flakes and Italian seasonings enhance the flavor of the sauce.More.	Saucy Shrimp Shrimp is a perennial party favorite, especially when it is drenched in a luscious marinade. While most recipes for marinated shrimp call for a vinaigrette type of dressing, this Saucy Shrimp is bathed in a creamy, tangy sauce.More.
Savory Sweet Onion Spread Sweet onions from Vidalia, Georgia, have a limited season, but other varieties of sweet onions – from Texas, California, Hawaii and Chile. There are many ways to enjoy these tear-free onions, and their flavor stars in this bubbling hot spread.More.	Scallop Shooters with Saffron Creme Whenever I serve big, juicy grilled scallops to guests they speedily disappear. Add a luscious Saffron sauce, and you have a quick and easy showstopper.More.
Sesame Crisps Crispy wonton chips pair well with all sorts of dips, but most recipes require frying wonton wrappers in hot oil. You can make the crispy dippers in the oven with a whole lot less mess and fuss.More.	Sfincioni This fragrant anchovy and onion pizza is more likely to be found in a bakery than in a pizzeria in Sicily, and it is fun to make at home.More.
Sherried Drumettes The recipe is from Second Round, Tea-Time at the Masters. What I love about the recipe is that the wings are baked, not fried.More.	Shrimp Ceviche with Tequila and Lime
Shrimp Remoulade Pink, fresh shrimp and crunchy celery sauced with a creamy dressing.  Shrimp Remoulade is as simple as tossing together these ingredients and the resulting dish is as versatile as it is delicious.More.	Shrimp Strudel Frozen puff pastry sheets are a boon for busy cooks. From hors d’oeuvres to main dishes to desserts, they take simple ingredients to new heights.More.
Simplified Chicken Bastilla One of my favorite courses at a Moroccan meal is bastilla – a flaky appetizer pie with a savory filling dusted with powdered sugar. No matter whether the filling is chicken or vegetables, I love the combination of sweet and savory flavors.More.	Spanish Meatballs in Saffron Sauce Meatballs appear in almost every culinary culture and these tender, saffron-scented meatballs hail from Spain. They include a combination of ground pork and veal, but use all veal if you want to splurge on some of the most delicate meatballs imaginable.More.
Spicy Pork Wontons with Sesame Sauce Dumplings abound in Asian cuisines, and these Spicy Pork Wontons are a delicious twist on classic pork dumplings with an added kick of spice.More.	Spicy Smoked Gazpacho in Cucumber Cups The Spicy Smoked Gazpacho recipe is fabulous served as an hors d’oeuvre in cucumber cups, but there is plenty left over for the next day. Serve as a light summer lunch by the pool, or as a healthful and delicious first course at dinner.More.
Spicy Southwestern Chicken Wings These Spicy Southwestern Chicken Wings are flavor-packed. While the list of ingredients is long, the steps are all simple and there are a few shortcuts which can be taken.More.	Spinach and Artichoke Dip with Catfish U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish is the freshest, healthiest fish available. It is raised in pure, freshwater ponds and fed a strict diet of nutritious grains - which not only ensures quality, but also gives U.S. Catfish a perfectly mild flavor that works in almost any recipe.More.
Stuffed Shrooms These Stuffed Shrooms are a snap to prepare, and the resulting appetizers are a favorite at any party. They’re also great served alongside a grilled steak.More.	Super Stromboli Take everyone’s favorite meat lover’s pizza, roll it up and you’ve got a Super Stromboli in less time than it takes to wait for pizza delivery.More.
Thai Catfish Cakes Many Thai restaurant menus include curried fish cakes as an appetizer. Although I love the flavor of the cakes, the texture is a bit over processed. I set out to create a Thai fish cake with  better texture and loads of fresh flavor.More.	Thai Ground Beef Lettuce Wraps One of my favorite dishes at our corner Thai restaurant is a warm ground beef salad served over crisp shredded cabbage and lettuce leaves. I’ve taken the idea and turned it into a pickup appetizer by serving the warm beef mixture in little butter lettuce leaves.More.
Thai Marinated Shrimp Marinated shrimp is a cocktail party favorite, and this recipe takes a Thai twist for a recipe that’s sure to be a hit at your next get together. Having your fish monger steam the shrimp will save you time in the kitchen.More.	Tiny Blue Cheese Biscuits with Seared Beef Tenderloin Many people love the combination of steak and blue cheese. These flavors are what make this recipe so appealing. Thin slices of tenderloin are tucked into savory biscuits and then crowned with a dollop of sweet and pungent cranberry chutney.More.
Tuna-Caper Spread Just three ingredients can result in something absolutely delicious in this Tuna-Caper Spread. A friend sampled a similar creation as an accompaniment to a Caesar salad in an Italian restaurant and asked me to come up with the recipe.More.	Tuna Pizza with Anchovy Aioli Typical of Chef Morimoto’s easy way of combining traditions, this Tuna Pizza is one of his most popular recipes.More.
Vietnamese Summer Rolls Fresh herbs, leafy lettuce, crisp raw vegetables and tender shrimp are all wrapped up in a perfect little rice-paper package. These exquisitely fresh and tasty rolls are great for a light, week-night meal.More.	Watermelon, Tomato, and Cucumber Salsa There’s nothing like a cold, ripe watermelon on a hot summer day. And while the sweet fruit is delicious served alone, it makes a crisp addition to a chunky summer salsa.More.
White Bean Hummus Hummus, the chickpea spread flavored with garlic, lemon juice and tahini, used to be an exotic treat, but today it’s everywhere. From your corner supermarket, to the food court at the mall, Americans are enjoying this delicious spread that’s served all over the Mediterranean and Middle East.More.	Zesty Lamb Kebabs Kebabs are perfect party fare, and these Zesty Lamb Kebabs will be a welcome addition to your next event. They’re extremely flavorful and pair beautiful with a glass of hearty red wine.More.