The best appetizers are full of flavor, fun to look at and, ideally, effortless to prepare. A delicious appetizer -- albeit one for those without caloric restrictions -- is a piece of prosciutto with a slice of triple cream and a topping of fig puree

Marinating precooked shrimp in garlic- and lemon-infused oil is a simple yet elegant appetizer

Kimchi pancakes, or kimchijeon, are crispy, a bit chewy, and full of the umami goodness of Korean-style fermented cabbage. This recipe works especially well with older kimchi that is tangy and full of bold flavor

The hummus we're making here uses canned chickpeas, which are readily available, easily stored for spur of the moment hummus cravings, and also surprisingly good. This said, hummus made from chickpeas that you cook yourself is a beautiful thing

Rick Bayless knows all about how to throw a great fiesta, or party, and a key part of any great fiesta is the food. "I like to welcome guests with this guacamole bar," he says. "I start off with a basic guacamole made with roasted garlic"

I like to develop recipes that require little cooking time yet offer tasty renditions of classic dishes. This colorful, tangy appetizer recipe is a refreshing change from the traditional shrimp cocktail. In this recipe, I combine shrimp with bay scallops

This delicious guacamole recipe replaces half the amount of high-calorie avocado in a traditional guacamole recipe with a stealth low-calorie vegetable -- zucchini -- to cut 100 calories and 6 grams of fat so we can eat more guacamole with fewer calories

This Quinoa Tabbouleh recipe transforms into a gluten-free version by substituting high-protein quinoa for bulgur. It gets a further flavor boost from feta cheese, chickpeas, fresh mint and lemon juice. I like to serve this as part of a mezze platter

These spicy and crunchy pecan-crusted chicken nuggets are paired with a quick, creamy ranch dip. If you can't find coarse breadcrumbs, substitute Grape-Nuts cereal instead

I am always on the lookout for appetizers. Chicken liver pate doesn't enjoy the popularity it had when Julia Child was queen, but this elegant yet economical hors d'oeuvre is due for a comeback

The batter, bite-sized morsels, and dipping sauces for tempura are very easy to prepare in advance. Everybody loves the crispy, flavorful results. Serve a steady flow of tempura, and your guests will feel they've really had a memorable holiday party

I vowed to make some time this month to nourish myself in between all of the holiday cooking madness. This simple yet tasty bruschetta came about from that promise

Most of us think of sliders as tiny burgers with grilled onions served on little buns. I thought it would be fun to use meatballs instead of burgers and the result might be an improvement over the traditional burger slider

I think you will appreciate the unexpected topping on this bruschetta recipe. If you can find fresh shrimp, you will be rewarded with a double dose of deliciousness. If not, ask your fishmonger for the best-quality shrimp available

Making a great pumpkin risotto is one trick whose secrets I can reveal. It starts by selecting the right pumpkin

This tasty twist on rumaki wraps apple-cured bacon around a sweet date stuffed with Parmesan cheese. A Spanish-style nibble, this is a terrific pick-up appetizer served with cocktails

This appetizer recipe is a perfect way to kick off a summertime outdoor dinner party: Curried Chicken Satay with Fresh Mint-Soy Dipping Sauce

Nuoc cham gung would makes a good marinade and glaze for one of my favorite appetizer recipes -- Spicy Sweet Ginger-Garlic Chicken Wings

Socca is a traditional dish from Nice, France, and, as with many traditional dishes, there are a dozen different ways you can make it. I like to roast it under the broiler until the top is charred and crisp

Pea shoots have a sweet flavor suggestive of pea pods yet more delicate. Together with strawberries and ricotta on rounds of toasted baguette, the combination is a joyful bite

These recipes are both atypical renditions of the classic Mexican combo

While dips and chips and vegetable spreads are all fine and good, there's something wonderful about spicy roasted chickpeas   More  

Think outside the pie by using this sweet summer fruit as a spicy dip or meat accompaniment.   More  

Quiches come in all varieties and can be enjoyed at any mealtime of the day. Pair it with a simple salad, and the meal is complete. I also like it with a glass of Chardonnay! For this quiche recipe, I keep the vegetable options simple with just asparagus. And for a bit of meat, I add crisped bacon   More