Appetizer is a small dish, a small delicacy or meal that is served before the main meal or the main course to brighten up the next meal, the main meal to take it up in notch and stimulate one’s appetite. Appetizers are enjoyed in small quantities to awaken the tastes buds to the next meal.
Appetizers help to build up one’s anticipation for the main meal setting the tone for the dinning experience. Appetizers are normally served in restaurants to help the eaters focus on something while they wait for their main course giving them a delicious prelude of what is to come.
There are so many appetizers, all that taste amazing. Appetizers are easy to make, less time consuming and very simple and tasty too. In this recipe read, we would be making a few easy appetizers that you can enjoy before your main course. These appetizers include;
- Bruschetta
- Deviled eggs
- Spinach and feta stuffed mushroom
- Shrimp cocktail
- Cheese and crackers
- Guacamole
- Mini quiches
- Spinach artichoke dip
- Caprese skewers
- Brussel sprouts with cheese
- Brussel sprout chips
These are some delicious appetizers you can make to get you started. Note that you can customize or personalize or even get creative with these ideas to create you own variations. Let’s get started with a few…
- Bruschetta recipe
Ingredients:
- Italian or French bread
- Olive oil
- Tomato
- Minced garlic
- Basil
- pepper and salt
Procedure:
Step one: Get an Italian or a French bread. Slice the bread carefully
Step two: carefully brush the bread with olive oil
Step three: bake the bread after brushing it with olive oil. Bake until it’s golden brown and crispy.
Step four: Make your bruschetta topping….. Combine your properly diced tomatoes and some minced garlic, olive oil and sprinkle some basil in a bowl then mix together until it’s evenly distributed then season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust your seasoning the way you would like it.
Step five: Once the bread is done baking, top it up with the bruschetta toppings and that’s it! Your delicious bruschetta is ready to be enjoyed.
2. Devilled eggs
Ingredients:
- Eggs
- Mayonnaise
- Mustard
- Salt and pepper
- Extra toppings: paprika, chopped chives or crispy bacon bits.(optional)
Procedure:
Step one: Hard boil some eggs for an individual serving or the number eating serving. Hard boil the eggs.
Step two: once the eggs are done boiling, being it out to cool for a bit then carefully Peel off the shell and cut them half lengthwise.
Step three: After cutting your eggs, remove the yolk and put them in a bowl
Step four: Mash the yolk and then add some mayonnaise, mustard and mix properly until the are well combined then add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste.
Step five: mix everything together properly until it is smooth and creamy then scoop it back into the white egg halves carefully. After doing this you can decide to garnish your appetizer with some paprika or chopped chives. Just be creative and customize it.
That’s it another easy appetizer idea. This devilled eggs has been around for quite some time and they’re enjoyed by many people around the world, they never fail to satisfy when it comes to an appetizer.
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3. Stuffed mushrooms(spinach and feta stuffed mushrooms)
Ingredients:
- A pack of button mushrooms
- Minced garlic
- chopped spinach
- crumbled feta cheese
Procedure:
Step one: preheat your oven to 190°C
Step two: Get a pack of button mushrooms, remove the stems and set them aside.
Step three: Get a pan or a skillet and sauté the minced garlic and chopped spinach until the spinach is wilted and the garlic is fragrant.
Step four: Get a bowl, mix the sautéed spinach and garlic with some crumbled feta cheese properly
Step five: After mixing, stuff the mushroom cap with the mixture. Stuff the mushroom carefully
Step six: Get a baking sheet and place the stuffed mushrooms there and put it on the preheated oven and bake for about 15-20 minutes until your mushrooms are tender and the feta cheese melts and becomes golden brown.
After baking take it out and let it cool off for a while, that’s it! Your stuffed mushrooms are ready to be enjoyed. These appetizer recipe is very healthy and also perfect for vegetarians. They’re enjoyed by many, it’s a good appetizer for any occasion of event.
4. Shrimp cocktail
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of peeled and deveined shrimp
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- ½ cup of ketchup
- ¼ teaspoon of hot sauce(optional)
- ¼ cup of prepared horseradish
- 1 tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce
- Salt
- pepper
- A bowl of ice water
Procedure:
Step one: Start by filling a bowl with ice water and then set it aside.
Step two: Then add the shrimp in a pot of boiling water and cook for about 3 minutes until the shrimp turns pink and it’s cooked well.
Step three: After cooking the shrimp, dip it into the bowl of ice water and let it cool. After cooling drain the water off and set it aside.
Step four: Making the cocktail sauce; blend the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, horseradish, lemon juice and hot sauce in a blender
Step five: After blending, pour the mixture into a cocktail cup and garnish with parsley or lemon wedges.
This appetizer is really good and enjoyable…it is served mostly in occasions and gatherings. It’s a very lovely drink to use as an appetizer
5. Cheese and crackers
Ingredients:
- Variety of cheese
- Crackers(any type you like)
- Fresh fruits
- Nuts Dried
Procedure:
This recipe is very easy to prepare…. Just arrange the cheese on a serving tray then put the crackers round it then add some fresh fruits, nuts and dried fruits and any other toppings you like. That’s basically it. It’s an easy appetizer idea.
Read Also: France Desserts
6. Guacamole
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe avocado
- ¼ cup of diced red onion
- ¼ cup of diced tomato
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon of chopped fresh cilantro
- 1 clove of garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tortilla chips, for dipping
Procedure:
Step one: remove the back of the avocado and mash them together in a bowl.
Step two: Add the other ingredients and mix properly then taste to see if you need to adjust it or not.
Step three: Once the guacamole is ready. Serve with your favorite chips and enjoy.
7. Mini quiches
Ingredients:
- Mini phyllo cups
- Salt
- Pepper
- Eggs
- Milk
- Bacon, spinach, onions, Cheese or sausage…(any filling of your choice)
Procedure:
Step one: preheat your oven to 350°F
Step two: in a bowl, whisk the eggs and milk together and season with salt and pepper.
Step three: grease a mini muffin tin
Step four: Pour in the eggs and milk mixture into the mini phyllo cups
Step five: fill each cup with any filling of your choice
Step six: Bake the mini quiches for about 20 minutes or until the eggs are set and the quiche is golden brown.
Step seven: Allow it to cool before serving.
This is a lovely appetizer as well…I really hope you try it out.
8. Spinach artichoke dip
Ingredients:
- 1 cup frozen spinach, thawed and drained
- 1 cup canned artichoke hearts, chopped
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- pepper
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- Salt
Procedure:
Step one: preheat your oven to 175°C
Step two: Get a large bowl and mix the spinach, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, mayonnaise, sour cream, garlic and mix properly until all the ingredients are evenly combined.
Step three: put the mixture in a baking dish and spread it out.
Step four: put the mixture in the preheated oven and bake for about 25 minutes
Step five: After baking, remove it and let it cool.
That’s basically it! Homemade spinach artichoke dip…serve this delicious goodness with some chips or bread.
9. Caprese skewers
Ingredients:
- Fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze or olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Skewers
Procedure:
Step one : prepare your ingredients and wash the ones you need to wash
Step two: Take a skewer and thread on a cherry tomato followed by basil leaves and a mozzarella ball. Repeat this process until the skewer is filled
Step three: Arrange the skewers on a serving platter
Step four: Drizzle balsamic glaze or olive oil over the skewers.
Step five: Sprinkle some salt and pepper to taste.
Serve and enjoy your caprese skewers. This recipe is definitely a must try. It’s is very delicious.
10. Brussel sprouts cheese
Ingredients:
- 1 pound Brussels sprouts
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Procedure:
Step one: Preheat your oven to 180°C
Step two: Cut the Brussel sprouts in half
Step three: Put the Brussel sprouts in a baking dish
Step four: Sprinkle the cheddar cheese on top and add butter and seasonings like salt and pepper.
Step five: Bake for 20 minutes.
Enjoy your wonderful Brussel sprout and cheese.
11. Brussel sprouts chips
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of Brussel sprouts
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
Procedure:
Step one: preheat your oven to 200°C
Step two: Trim the ends of the Brussel sprouts
Step three: Cut the Brussel sprouts in half
Step four: Get a large bowl and combine the Brussel sprouts, olive oil, salt and pepper and toss properly until evenly coated.
Step five: Place in a baking dish and bake for about 20 minutes until the edges are crispy and golden brown.
Remove from the oven once done baking and let it cool for a bit before serving.
Conclusion:
Above are some easy appetizers ideas. I really hope this recipe read helps you a lot. If you enjoyed this read or found the recipe helpful leave a comment down below on the comment section on your experience making this.
Don’t forget to share with family, friends and loved ones. We’ll be happy to hear from you. Enjoy and have a lovely making!!
