Appetizers, Hors D'Oeuvre and Snacks

These bean fritters originated in Western Africa, but with the slave trade they spread to the Caribbean and Brazil. Crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle, they are variously known as akra, acra, accra, acrat and acarajé. Read more »

Say the word "alcapurrias," and most Puerto Ricans think "beach food." These scrumptious fritters are usually made with a batter of taro (yautía) and green bananas (guineos verdes), and are stuffed with either a meat (pino) filling or with crab, shrimp or lobster. Sold by vendors on the beach, they make a great snack for hungry stomachs after a long day in the sun. Read more »

Angels on horseback were a favorite British Victorian after-dinner nibble. The name apparently comes from the way the curled bacon looks like angels wings. I don't know about that, but the popularity of these delightful appetizers flew across the Pond around the turn of the 20th century, and they are still popular at weddings and celebrations in the American Northeast. Read more »

Baba ghanoush is a very popular appetizer and dip in the Middle East. Its smoky, rich flavor of the eggplant goes well with wedges of pita bread or with raw vegetables. Try using it as a sandwich spread or rolled up in wraps. Read more »

Banh xeo ("bahn SAY-oh") is a popular street snack in Vietnam, especially the south. The name means "sound crepe," and it indicates the sound the batter makes when it hits the hot skillet. The shrimp-studded crepe is rolled up in a leaf of lettuce and dipped in a flavorful lime-scented sauce before it gets popped in your mouth. Read more »

Bao, also known as baozi, are pillowy, soft buns that are either steamed or baked. They come with a variety of fillings and are a common item in dim sum shops. Bao are a favorite breakfast or mid-morning snack. Read more »

Bruschetta, at its most basic, is bread that is grilled and then rubbed with garlic and drizzled with olive oil. Topping these tasty toasts with fresh tomatoes makes a popular Roman antipasto, just perfect for the dog days of late summer. Read more »

A classic bar food, Buffalo wings came to us from Teresa Bellissimo, owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo, New York. Chicken wings are deep fried and tossed with a spicy, vinegary butter and hot pepper sauce. Their popularity has skyrocketed since their creation in the 1960s. Many of today's versions vary widely from the original recipe, breading the chicken or using barbecue or other sauces. This recipe is the incomparable original. Read more »

These small cheese fritters are an excellent and easy side dish for a Puerto Rican meal. Read more »

Cachapas are rib-sticking pancakes made with fresh corn. They are sold as road-side snacks in Venezuela, wrapped around queso fresco, mozzarella, chopped ham, chorizo or spread with butter, cream cheese or sour cream. Cachapas are a great, gluten-free option for people who can't tolerate pancakes made with wheat flour. Read more »

Cancha, a popular snack in Peru and Ecuador, is made with a special type of large-kerneled corn called maíz chulpe or maíz cancha chulpe. The dried kernels are tossed with oil and toasted in a hot skillet until they are browned and puffed. A simple sprinkling of salt and the cancha is ready to eat. Cancha is often served with ceviche or a cold beer. Read more »

These simple fritters from Santorini are a great way to use up garden tomatoes in late summer. The herbs add amazing flavor and highlight the fresh, late summer ingredients. Use only fresh tomatoes, not canned. Read more »

Empanadas are meat pies popular throughout the Latin world. They probably originated in Galicia in the northwest corner of Spain. Spanish settlers introduced empanadas to the New World, and they are a special favorite in Chile and Argentina. The variety of fillings for empanadas is endless and includes stewlike mixtures chicken, beef, ham and cheese, fish and seafood. Other fillings include spinach, peas, potatoes, pumpkin and beans. Read more »

Falafel is the original veggie burger and is a common dish throughout the Middle East. It is found in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, Egypt, and is especially popular with Palestinians. In Egypt it is known as tamiyah or taamiyah. Israelis sometimes call it the "national food of Israel." Read more »

Gamberetti all'agro is a simple antipasto is popular all along the Italian coast. The simple flavors of the poached shrimp mingled with citrusy juice make a perfect finger food for a summer's evening get-together. Read more »

Gravlax--also spelled gravlaks, gravadlax, or gravadlaks — is a classic Swedish way to preserve salmon. It is often served as part of the first course of a smörgåsbord. Gravlax is delicious on a slice of rye bread with a bit of hovmästarsås or a squeeze of lemon. Read more »

Guacamole is popular in Mexico and throughout Central America. The name comes from the Aztec worlds ahuacatl (avocado) and molli (sauce). Guacamole is also common in Tex-Mex and American Southwestern cuisine. In Mexico it is this rich and creamy condiment is often still made with a traditional mortar and pestle called a molcajete. Often called guacamol in other parts of Central America. Read more »

Hummus is popular appetizer, or meze, throughout the Middle East. Serve with grilled or toasted pita bread cut into wedges. Or use as a sandwich or wrap spread. Read more »

Law bok gow is a favorite Cantonese dim sum treat, especially popular during Chinese New Year celebrations. Usually called daikon, turnip or radish cake in English, it is really more of a savory pudding. The recipe below is very basic, but law bok gow is normally studded with savory garnishes and lightly fried on both sides until golden brown. Sometimes spelled lo bark goh. Read more »

Mussels are an affordable and delicious addition to any spread of Spanish tapas. Here is a great recipe for batter-fried mussels. Serve meijillones fritos with ice cold beer or a dry white wine. Read more »

Muchines de yuca are tasty cassava balls with a crunchy outside protecting a soft, savory filling. Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish topped with little ají hot pepper sauce. Read more »

Muhummara is popular condiment and dip in Lebanon, Palestine, Syria. Serve muhummara with grilled meats, fish and kebabs, or as a spread or dip for bread or pita. In western Turkey it is called acuka. Other spellings are moohummara or muhammarah. Read more »

Marinated olives are a popular snack and antipasto in Italy. Olives are popular all around the Mediterranean coast. They make a great addition to any Spanish, Italian, North African, Greek or Provençal meal. Read more »

This luxurious shellfish creation was first served at Antoine's Restaurant in New Orleans in 1899. The appetizer is so rich it was named after John D. Rockefeller, the richest man in America at the time. Creator Jules Alciatore took the exact recipe to the grave with him, but poseurs everywhere have been trying to replicate it since. Here is our version. Read more »

Pajeon (also pachon, pajun, or pajon) is a very popular appetizer and snack in Korea, especially with students and businessmen. Carts selling pajeon abound in cities, and this savory pancake is very often accompanied by a cup of strong makkgoli rice wine. Read more »

Pakoras, savory fritters, are a very popular Indian chaat — snack or appetizer — especially in the North. The chickpea batter gives them a unique flavor, and their crispy crust encases all kinds of vegetables and sometimes chunks of meat. Pakoras are often bought from street vendors who serve them wrapped in a newpaper cone. Read more »

Pães de queijo are tasty little cheese buns popular in Brazil. They are made with yuca (cassava) flour, which gives them an interesting taste and texture and makes them a gluten-free treat. Modern Brazilians can purchase packaged mixes or buy pães de queijo from street vendors, but homemade is best. Serve pão de queijo with coffee for breakfast. Read more »

This rustic recipe is probably the easiest (and cheapest) of all French pâtés to make. Because the meat isn't fully pureed, pâté de campagne has a great texture, complemented by the earthy flavor of liver. Try this recipe when you want something impressive for dinner parties, but not something that will eat up all your time. Leftovers with a side salad and bread are great for a simple meal. Read more »

This is a perfect late summer antipasto. For best flavor, let the peppers rest at room temperature for about 30 to 60 minutes before serving. Read more »

These scrumptious little sweet potato fritters are a popular snack on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Mashed sweet potatoes are mixed with flour, egg and a touch of brown sugar, and spoonfuls of the mixture are dropped into hot oil. The lightly sweet, browned puffs are a perfect accompaniment to an Indonesian meal. Read more »

Pimento cheese is a well-known and beloved sandwich filling in the Southern United States. A simple mixture of chopped Cheddar cheese, mayonnaise and pimentos, pimento cheese is great between two slices of crustless white bread. It's also wonderful as a spread for crackers or dip for vegetables. Or use it to top hot dogs or hamburgers. Believe it or not, this tasty spread is also popular in the Philippines, where it's called cheese-pimiento. Read more »

Plantain fritters are popular in many tropical cuisines. They are eaten throughout the Caribbean and are also popular in the Philippines. Read more »

Queso fundido is as simple as it is decadently tasty. Flavorful cheese is melted together with fragrant mushrooms, roasted peppers or other garnishes and served with fresh corn tortillas. Serve this south-of-the-border version of cheese fondue as a starter to any Mexican meal. Your guests will be singing your praises. ¡Que rico! Read more »

Roasted pumpkin seeds are a Halloween favorite, and making them is a great activity for kids. Turn making them into a family tradition every year at pumpkin-carving time. Read more »

Samosas are the perfect chaat, or Indian snack food. These tetrahedral pastry pockets are made with a variety of stuffings, both vegetarian and with meat. But a simple spiced potato and pea filling is the most popular. Read more »

Satay is a great Indonesian street food that has become popular throughout southeast Asia, especially Singapore and Malaysia. Most often made with chicken, beef or lamb, satay is commonly served with sambal kacang, a spicy peanut sauce, and acar ketimun, a simple cucumber pickle. Sometimes spelled sate, sateh or saté. Read more »

Popular in New Zealand and Australia, sausage rolls are eaten for breakfast, lunch or as appetizers at parties and get-togethers. Served hot or cold, they are often sold at small food stores called "tuck shops" as a quick meal. Read more »

Scotch eggs are a popular snack and picnic food in Scotland and throughout the U.K. Hard-boiled eggs are wrapped in sausage, breaded and fried. Definitely not diet food, but oh so satisfying! Read more »

Siu mai (SHOO-my), or shaomai, are popular little steamed dumplings from southeastern China. They are sold by shops as a quick snack food or from carts in dim sum restaurants as part of a larger menu selection. Read more »

This simple, healthy and lowfat fruit appetizer is particularly popular in the French Antilles. Read more »

Tod mun is one of the most popular snacks in Thailand, especially in the northern reaches of the country. Serve these spicy fried fish cakes as a starter to a Thai meal with a tasty dipping sauce. Read more »

Tostones, twice-fried green plantains, are a favorite snack and side dish in Puerto Rico, Cuba and the Dominican Republic. Haitians call them bananes pesées, or banan peze. They are also eaten in Central America and throughout South America. In Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela they are known as patacones. Read more »

Ukoy is a simple and flavorful Filipino appetizer. These fritters have a pleasant golden color from the sweet potato and annatto. Ukoy is usually made with unpeeled shrimp and the peel is eaten. You can use peeled shrimp if you prefer. Also spelled okoy. Read more »