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Appetizer Recipes

30 Sophisticated Starters

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Martha's Birthday Hors d'Oeuvres Photo: Frederic Lagrange
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Martha's Birthday Hors d'Oeuvres

Start with the very best ingredients, add a polished presentation, and you've got a pre-dinner spread with serious sophistication.

Luxe ingredients, such as quail eggs with caviar, gravlax, and Gruyere, set a posh tone from the start.

Get the Deviled Quail Eggs with Caviar Recipe
Smoked Trout Three Ways Photo: Burcu Avsar
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Smoked Trout Three Ways

Just as upscale as smoked salmon, the freshwater fish plays an elegant, unexpected starring role.

Get the Smoked Trout Three Ways Recipe
Blini with Caviar
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Blini with Caviar

Why mess with a classic? Pair these Russian pancakes with creme fraiche and caviar.

Get the Blini with Caviar Recipe
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Oysters with Serrano Chile, Avocado, and Cherry Tomatoes

Get the highest-quality ingredients possible to make a major impact.

Get the Oysters with Serrano Chile, Avocado, and Cherry Tomatoes Recipe
Baked Brie with Pecans Photo: David Loftus
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Baked Brie with Pecans

Complement the cheese's gooey center with a sweet drizzle of maple syrup.

Get the Baked Brie with Pecans Recipe
Shrimp Cocktail
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Shrimp Cocktail

Fresh shrimp will really make this classic sing, but flash-frozen can work in a pinch.

Get the Shrimp Cocktail Recipe
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Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Blue Cheese and Pecans

Wrapped snugly in salty, meaty blankets, these stuffed figs are always irresistible.

Get the Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Blue Cheese and Pecans Recipe
Salmon Mousse
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Salmon Mousse

Send a celebratory signal by serving up this lemon and sour-cream-infused mousse.

Get the Salmon Mousse Recipe
Mushroom-Polenta Diamonds
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Mushroom-Polenta Diamonds

Diamond-shaped cutouts give these savory treats an elegant touch.

Get the Mushroom-Polenta Diamonds Recipe
Gruyere-and-Parmesan Beignets
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Gruyere-and-Parmesan Beignets

Delicate puffs of cheese-infused batter are perfect party bites.

Get the Gruyere-and-Parmesan Beignets Recipe
Pears and Camembert
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Pears and Camembert

Layers of cheese and nutty pear filling are as delicious as they are pretty.

Get the Pears and Camembert Recipe
Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread
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Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread

Cream cheese creates luscious texture while letting the pungent cheese shine.

Get the Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread Recipe
Lentil Pate Photo: Kalyn Sims
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Lentil Pate

A meatless alternative with the texture and richness of traditional pate.

Get the Lentil Pate Recipe
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Smoked Trout and Garlic Cream on Rye Toasts

These toasts look ultra fancy but come together in a flash.

Get the Smoked Trout and Garlic Cream on Rye Toasts Recipe
Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets
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Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets

Set a thoughtful tone by greeting guests with individual tarts made in a muffin pan.

Get the Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets Recipe
Mini Chicken B'Steeyas
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Mini Chicken B'Steeyas

Usually made as one large pie, mini versions of the Moroccan specialty are finger-food friendly and can be made ahead.

Get the Mini Chicken B'Steeyas Recipe
Pear Pecan Toasts
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Pear Pecan Toasts

Thinly sliced Bartlett pears are a sweet foil to tangy Roquefort.

Get the Pear Pecan Toasts Recipe
Cheese Straws
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Cheese Straws

These crispy twirls of puff pastry play well with pretty much any topping of your choice.

Get the Cheese Straws Recipe
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Cantaloupe and Mozzarella with Prosciutto and Basil

Pink, white, and orange paint a pretty picture on this antipasti platter.

Get the Cantaloupe and Mozzarella with Prosciutto and Basil Recipe
Three-Cheese Gougeres Photo: Johnny Miller
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Three-Cheese Gougeres

Expect three times the flavor in these savory puffs.

Get the Three-Cheese Gougeres Recipe
Daikon Radish Boxes with Crab Salad
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Daikon Radish Boxes with Crab Salad

Like mini gift boxes, these pristine cubes of radish hold delicious crab salad.

Get the Daikon Radish Boxes with Crab Salad Recipe
Cucumber Cups with Vichyssoise Photo: Craig Cutler
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Cucumber Cups with Vichyssoise

Hollowed-out cucumbers become impressive vessels for creamy soup.

Get the Cucumber Cups with Vichyssoise Recipe
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Fresh Radishes with Flavored Salts and Butter

Calm the veggie's bite with a bit of butter and a touch of salt.

Get the Fresh Radishes with Flavored Salts and Butter Recipe
Fried Olives
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Fried Olives

The crispy exterior yields to a warm, salty, addictive interior.

Get the Fried Olives Recipe
Cheese Plate How-To
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Cheese Plate How-To

Please a variety of palates with the perfect mix of textures and flavors.

Get the Cheese Plate How-To
Stravecchio Frico
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Stravecchio Frico

These frilly webs of cheese require only two ingredients.

Get the Stravecchio Frico Recipe
Beet Chips
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Beet Chips

Extra-thin beet slices become ruby-red rounds of flavor.

Get the Beet Chips Recipe
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Endive Spears with Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit

Endives become mini boats to transport utterly upscale ingredients.

Get the Endive Spears with Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit Recipe
Spicy Tuna Tartare Photo: Ken Kochey
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Spicy Tuna Tartare

The surprise? Sriracha gives this tartare its spicy edge.

Get the Spicy Tuna Tartare Recipe
Edible Serving Vessels
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Edible Serving Vessels

Nestle a blue cheese and walnut filling in grape cups, herbed goat cheese in cherry tomato cups, or gazpacho in cucumber cups for easy appetizer eating without messy fingers.

Get the Blue Cheese-Walnut Filling in Grape Cups Recipe
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