Appetizer
3523 recipes found
Sheet-Pan Shrimp Oreganata
This breezy weeknight meal loads fresh shrimp with fistfuls of garlicky, seasoned bread crumbs, which crisp and brown on top and plump up and soften underneath as they roast, soaking up the buttery wine sauce at the bottom of the sheet pan. It’s inspired by the Italian American classic clams oreganata, clams stuffed with bread crumbs and dried oregano, but instead swaps out the bivalves for shrimp. Slip the sheet pan in the oven to melt the butter, then stir in white wine before adding the shrimp and bread crumbs, creating a quick, tasty pan sauce that reduces as it cooks. A final spritz of lemon as soon as the pan comes out of the oven adds a nice zippy finish. Serve as an appetizer (plate required!), or alongside a plate of pasta or vegetables.
Light Soup With Mushrooms
Impossibly rich but never heavy or thick, light soup is a Ghanaian favorite, made by gently simmering dried fish or meat in a pot, then briefly adding onion, tomato, ginger and chiles to the broth. This version replaces the protein with mushrooms and is endlessly adaptable. You can add any summer vegetable of your choice, such as baby potatoes, spinach, squash or zucchini. If you prefer to add fish, toss in some chunks of a simple white fish at the end of the cooking process. The choice is really yours.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250603-SEA-grillveggieboard-GregDuPree-HERO-0f23788951c9421093720b83af3f3b38.jpg)
A Grilled Vegetable Board That’s Bold, Beautiful, and Built to Share
This epic grilled vegetable board brings out the best in summer produce with smart techniques, bold flavors, and a vibrant lemon-herb vinaigrette. It's customizable and perfect for entertaining.
Creamy Tomato Spaghetti With Preserved Lemon
Something magical happens when preserved lemon and tomato are cooked together. In this quick and simple pasta, fragrant lemon permeates the tomato paste, creating a beautifully aromatic (and pantry-friendly) sauce with the addition of heavy cream. Spaghetti is tossed with the sauce, which ends up subtly sweet and yet bright and tangy — a comforting weeknight twist on the always beloved tomato pasta.
Ginger Chicken and Rice Soup With Zucchini
A simple base of aromatic garlic, ginger, bay leaf and turmeric flavors this cozy and nourishing chicken soup. Tender chicken, zucchini and chewy brown rice provide bite and substance, and simmer together at the same pace. The rice will swell and soften in the broth as the soup sits, and you can cook it longer than called for to give this soup more of a stewy or even porridge-like texture, depending on your preference. Add more water or stock to thin the broth as needed if reheating. Serve with a drizzle of chile crisp or a squeeze of lemon and sprinkle of fresh cilantro.
Curried Red Bean Soup With Kale
This riff on classic Italian minestrone draws inspiration from rajma and maharage nu shaak, two red kidney bean curries with spiced, aromatic gravies, typically made with tomatoes (rajma is Hindi for kidney beans, and maharage is Swahili for beans). This version offers a perfect use case for black mustard seeds, which bloom in the oil to add a sharp, earthy flavor before the onions and garlic are added. This, along with a few other warming spices, helps create an aromatic tomato base for the kidney beans, pasta and greens. Using whole peeled tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) is key to achieving a brothy soup that still has body, but crushed tomatoes will work in a pinch.
Cilantro-Mint Chicken Lettuce Wraps
A Desi cilantro-mint chutney adds verdant, fiery flavors to tender shredded chicken in these herbaceous, tangy lettuce cups. The heat from the green chiles, warmth from the cumin and cooling sourness from lemon juice and Greek yogurt are stellar supporting acts for the otherwise everyday chicken breast, creating a chicken salad of sorts. Make the green chutney in advance and use any extra as an accent for other meals; it’s especially good with samosas, kebabs, fritters, on sandwiches, in yogurt and with any meal that includes rice and curry. Any leftover chicken salad is excellent for sandwiches or on its own.
Adana Meatballs
These meatballs are a take on classic Turkish kebabs in which the ground meat mixture is usually skewered and grilled. Here, the mixture is bulked up with bell peppers and onions — which keeps the meatballs plump and moist — and spiced with cumin, then formed into orbs and baked for a quick weeknight or even party-night meal. The ground meat option is flexible: Using all beef is a great option, rather than using half beef and half lamb. (But don’t swap in ground chicken or turkey, because both have added water and the mixture will be too wet to form meatballs.) You can serve the spread of meatballs, garlicky yogurt and herb salad alongside warm pita bread for guests to make their own sandwiches, or with fluffy rice.
Pesto Chickpea Soup
If you constantly find yourself searching for the next no-fuss pantry meal to make after a busy day at work, this pesto chickpea soup is for you. It requires just a handful of ingredients and minimal effort; slicing two shallots is the most difficult thing this 20-minute recipe will require. The modest but mighty recipe relies on store-bought or homemade pesto as its main flavor source. The steps are as simple as can be: The shallots cook in the pesto’s fragrant oil until softened. Next, canned chickpeas are added to the pot and crushed, then simmer in vegetable broth until thickened. Finally, a second dose of pesto gets swirled in the stew alongside fresh spinach, preserving their radiance for a bright boost of flavor.
Roasted Cauliflower Caesar
For this more robust take on Caesar salad, you start by cutting thick slabs of cauliflower before breaking them into smaller pieces and roasting, which ensures maximum caramelized edges while using every part of the vegetable. The florets, stems and even the leafy bits roast together with capers, creating a mix of textures in the dish. The crispy capers and golden cauliflower harbor a punchy, Caesar-inspired dressing made with Parmesan, mayonnaise, anchovies, garlic and Dijon. This dish is delicious warm, but also can work as a cold salad the next day.
Asparagus Gomaae With Chilled Tofu
The classic Japanese side dish gomaae typically features blanched spinach coated in a sesame dressing, but here, the nutty sauce pairs beautifully with earthy asparagus. The asparagus is seared just briefly to unlock its buttery sweetness and juiciness; make sure the pan is hot when the asparagus makes contact to ensure the outside chars, even with a short cook time. The asparagus goma-ae is served atop chilled tofu, which serves as a creamy, refreshing backdrop for the bold umami of the sesame sauce. Eat this as a light meal, or partner it with rice or noodles.
Chickpea Fatteh (Crispy Pita, Chickpeas and Yogurt)
Every family has its own way of making chickpea fatteh, but the layers of toasted pita, chickpeas and yogurt sauce always deliver a contrast of creamy and crunchy, warm and cool, sharp and earthy. This version, adapted from Sawsan Daana, the Palestinian chef of Matbakhi restaurant in Kuwait City, includes a layer of hummus in addition to the whole chickpeas, as is typical in Amman as well as Jerusalem, where she was born. Lebanese and Syrian versions skip the hummus and lean more heavily on tahini in the yogurt sauce (see Tip). Whichever route you take, this impressive dish is far easier to pull off than it looks, since the steps are straightforward and many ingredients repeat. If you like, you can prep everything but the toppings one or two days in advance and assemble when ready to serve.
Eggplant Fatteh (Crispy Pita, Eggplant and Yogurt)
There’s no single way to make eggplant fatteh, a layered dish of crispy pita, tender eggplant and yogurt-tahini sauce that is beloved across the Levant. In this version, adapted from Salam Dakkak, the chef of Bait Maryam restaurant in Dubai, the eggplant is roasted instead of deep fried, a perfectly tasty compromise that requires less cleanup. The contrast of temperatures and textures — crunchy, creamy, hot and cool — makes the dish unforgettable. Fatteh is best served immediately, so the pita chips stay crisp. To make this easier, all components can be prepared ahead, with the eggplant roasted last (or simply reheated) and the dish assembled just before serving.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250501-SEA-DirtyMartiniDip-RobbyLozano-Beauty1-46-4094a69846eb4825bae657e816a6dabb.jpg)
This Briny, Cheesy Dip Is a Dirty Martini Lover’s Dream
This briny, cheesy dip is inspired by the dirty martini—olives, pimento, blue cheese and all.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250506-SEA-CarrotFetaBorek-VictorProtasio-Beauty1-24-69232ea3714b454db1a3b1f76c81b01e.jpg)
This Beloved Savory Mediterranean Pastry Is a Spiraled Delight
This borek features hypnotic spirals of golden flaky pastry filled with a savory carrot, mushroom, and feta cheese filling.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250506-SEA-ZatarCarrotDip-HannahHufman-Beauty1-35-a7725ba39d3747a2adb7279b9b49aca0.jpg)
Creamy, Nutty Za’atar Roasted Carrot Dip
Roasted carrots, za’atar, and tahini make this a wonderfully sweet, earthy, and creamy dip.
Charred Asparagus Lettuce Cups
This nearly effortless salad is full of flavor and makes for a striking table centerpiece. A creamy, tangy yogurt and sour cream dressing is studded with fragrant basil, chives and dried mint, then spooned into crisp, fresh lettuce cups. Parmesan brings a rich umami depth to the dressing, while a scattering of Urfa chile flakes add a smoky finish. Equally stunning as a snackable appetizer, handy enough to be scooped up without a plate, or a light, elegant starter to be consumed with a fork and knife, this dish is ideal for entertaining, as it’s quick to assemble and guaranteed to impress.
Panzerotti (Fried Tomato and Mozzarella Pockets)
Panzerotti, a fried variety of Italian street food, are often mistaken for small calzone. The name comes from the Neapolitan word “panza,” which derives from the Italian word for “belly” because their shape resembles a rounded stomach. While they are commonly filled with a simple and satisfying mixture of sweet tomato purée and melted mozzarella, you can also use cooked sausage, ham, bacon or anchovies. Remarkably crispy on the outside and soft and pillowy on the inside, panzerotti are best served freshly fried and still warm, ideally with a side of marinara for dunking.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250430-SEA-UltimateSmokedNachos-LorenaMasso-Beauty1-35-a0d81f942b394edf9137f9b2f09269a4.jpg)
The Ultimate Loaded Nachos, but Fresh off the Grill
Take your nachos to the next level with this smoky grilled version. They're loaded with charred onions and tomatoes, blistered fresh chiles, black beans, and mounds of cheese. They’re sure to impress at your next cookout.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250429-SEA-Muhammara-MelatiCitrawireja-11-e3d35d59591742cfa6d9100d99cb7eac.jpg)
Muhammara: The Bold Middle Eastern Spread You'll Want on Everything
Made from red bell peppers, onions, walnuts, olive oil, pomegranate molasses, and aromatic of spices, this rich and tangy spread practically dares you to find new ways to eat it. Scoop it up with pita bread, spread it on sandwiches, use it as a pasta filling, serve it with other mezze, or serve it alongside your favorite grilled meats or fish.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/20250417-SEA-CarrotOkonomiyaki-KelseyHanson-Beauty1-24-3927e070dda145c286f70adcbf809889.jpg)
Crispy, Savory Carrot Pancakes, the Japanese Way
In this easy okonomiyaki recipe, carrots take the place of traditional cabbage, giving the pancakes a sweet, earthy flavor and plenty of crunch.
Lemony Turmeric Potato Soup
This humble, bright yellow soup hails from Stone Town, Zanzibar, and is a popular street food known as Zanzibari Mix or Urojo. It’s affordable, filling, and reflective of the island's cross-cultural history. Traditionally served with various accompaniments like lentil fritters, cassava chips, chutneys, and sometimes hard-boiled eggs for protein, this dish has become synonymous with the island. This version features a classic interpretation of the simple soup base but relies on ultra-crispy, spicy jalapeno-flavored kettle-cooked potato chips for the crunch and heat usually provided by the toppings. Don’t be fooled by the modest ingredient list; this soup packs a punch.
Grilled Asparagus With Burrata and Furikake
There’s something truly special about this combination of charred asparagus and scallions, milky burrata and crunchy furikake, a Japanese condiment of seaweed, sesame seeds and fish flakes. Maybe it’s the umami of the naturally savory asparagus, which intensifies on the grill; or the nubbly seeds blanketing the soft cheese; or the ingredients so redolent of land and sea. It’s probably best to not overthink it, and just dig in. Serve it alongside lentils, grains or grilled chicken, seafood or mushrooms for a full meal.
Minorcan Clam Chowder
Though it shares similarities with mild-mannered Manhattan clam chowder, thick, briny, spicy Minorcan clam chowder gets its signature, fruity heat from datil peppers, and its Bolognese-like texture from a vegetable purée, plus a generous simmering time. Minorcans descend from indentured servants who, in the late 18th century, were recruited from around the Mediterranean, assembled on the Spanish island of Menorca and sent to Florida to farm indigo. Many Minorcan families still live near St. Augustine, Fla., and visitors to the Spanish-settled city can eat the chowder in a number of restaurants. However, the pinnacle of Minorcan clam chowder cooking is achieved just once a year at the St. Ambrose Spring Fair, for which Mary Ellen Masters — who is known as the “Queen of Minorcan Clam Chowder” — oversees the annual effort to prepare 180 concentrated, clammy gallons.