Appetizers can elevate almost any normal dinner to a multi-course meal. This may sound fancy, but doesn’t mean it has to be difficult. In fact, many starter recipes are quick and simple! Get inspired by these light and delicious recipes and bring them to your next dinner party.
Cucumber Bites with Brie and Florida Grapefruit
Drizzled with honey, this sweet and savory recipe combines a variety of flavors with the help of refreshing Florida Grapefruit, cucumbers, creamy Brie cheese, peppery Arugula (rocket), buttery pecans and naturally sweet raisins. All you have to do is layer your cucumber, arugula, cheese and grapefruit and then secure with a toothpick. Drizzle a small drop of honey on top of each little cucumber bite and decorate with raisins and pecan pieces. That’s how easy it can be!
Pear Cream with Chorizo and Blue Cheese
Want to give your meal a smooth start? The Pear Cream with Chorizo and Blue Cheese is a creamy and delicious dish that can be enjoyed as a soup or a dip. Made with USA Pears, this appetizer is hearty and warming with a kick of spice and a touch of sweet from fresh Bosc pears.
Apple Goat Cheese Bruschetta
This non-traditional bruschetta recipe is topped with Washington Apple and goat cheese for sweet, tart, and earthy flavors all in a couple delicious bites.
Individually assemble these simple apple goat cheese bruschetta for the best flavor, but you can also mix the honey and oregano into the goat cheese so it’s less crumbly.
Pickled Cranberries & Goat Cheese Crostini
Upgrade your goat cheese crostini with a bold, ruby red touch of pickled U.S. Cranberries. Pickle your own cranberries at home and have them ready to provide a burst of flavor to your dish. This eye-catching appetizer by Carlene Thomas, RDN, LD is super simple to make and only requires baguette, goat cheese, and thyme once your cranberries have been pickled to perfection. Bon appétit!
Roasted Garlic & Rosemary White Bean Dip
Dips are a great addition to the table. Accompanied by some fresh vegetables and fruit, crackers and even cheese, dips can quickly become the centerpiece and starting point of a meal. The Roasted Garlic & Rosemary White Bean Dip is a refreshing and flavorful dip that gets its creamy texture from white beans. Mixed together with rosemary, garlic, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar or fresh lemon juice, this dip is a great start to a spring or summer meal.
Smoked Salmon Pizzettas
These mini-pizzas pair great with a glass of California wine. They are nicely topped with fresh ricotta cheese, dill, chives and smoked salmon. Store-bought pizza dough makes the project easy, but substitute your favorite homemade pizza dough if you prefer. Pair with California Sparkling Wine or Chardonnay for a beautiful, bite-sized starter.
Fig Sweetpotato Towers with Brie
Impress guests with this layered delight. Fig Sweetpotato Towers are a perfectly stacked dish of North Carolina Sweetpotato, walnuts, figs, brie, rosemary twigs, and some spices to taste.
This fancy-looking appetizer may seem complicated at a glance, but only takes more or less 4 steps to complete. Give it a try and enjoy!
