Quick Recipes That Are Perfect for Entertaining—Including Everything from Appetizers to Desserts

Marcus Nilsson

The holidays can be a bit overwhelming but we are here to help. Whether it’s a starter, dinner, or sweet, these fast recipes are sure to get the party started.

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Marcus Nilsson

It's here! The holidays are such a joyous time of the year, but they are also one of the busiest. We're here to help you keep the joy and reduce the stress associated with holiday entertaining: Whether you're looking for some nibbles for a cocktail party, easy dinners to celebrate friends and family coming to town, or sweets for tree-trimming party, our recipes are exactly what you need.

Are you hosting a fancy event? Try Shucked Oysters with Three Sauces. If your shucking skills are a little lacking, you are not alone. Many seafood counters will shuck oysters and set them on a bed of ice for you. Call ahead to give them time to get the job done. If you've got kids (of any age!), try these Spanish Chorizo Meatballs. Set them out with some sturdy toothpicks and watch them disappear.

Dinner can be a challenge when you've spent the day preparing for the holidays, be it decorating the tree or shopping for gilt and menorah candles. We have a few dinners that are perfect for entertaining and easy to put together, like the one-pan Seafood Orzo Risotto shown here. Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions is a stunner, and takes only 20 minutes to prepare. All you need is a quick salad on the side and dinner is served.

If it's sweets you are looking for, try our Lime Pudding Cups that only take 10 minutes to make. Based on the English dessert called posset, the custard forms when citrus juice is added to cream—no eggs or gelatin required.

Go ahead and enjoy the holidays with these stress-free, delicious, and beautiful dishes. You deserve it.

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Broccoli Frito Misto

Yuki Sugiura

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Who doesn’t like crispy deep-fried food? Here both broccolini and broccoli get the deep-frier spa treatment and are served with a vinegary, slightly spicy dipping sauce.

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Mixed-Olive Tapenade

William Abranowicz

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For this rustic take on tapenade, the ingredients are whole or very coarsely chopped, which makes for the prettiest presentation of this quick appetizer. Serve with toasted baguette rubbed with garlic.

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Shucked Oysters with Three Sauces

Thomas Loof

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Nothing says elegance quite like a platter of freshly shucked oysters. With three sauces to choose from, everyone will be happy.

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Spanish Chorizo Meatballs

Con Poulos

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As delicious at room temperature as they are hot out of the skillet, these crowd-pleasing meatballs spice things up, they're made with fresh chorizo sausage.

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Potato-Chip-and-Pimiento Mini Crab Cakes

Con Poulos

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Potato chips bring a salty crunch to these one-bite treats. They are baked instead of fried, so there's less mess to deal with after you finish cooking.

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Ham and Cheese Flatbread

Gieves Anderson

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Using purchased flatbread makes this elegant appetizer so easy to put together. You can also serve it with a nice big green salad for a simple luncheon.

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Grilled Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions

Christopher Testani

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This recipe is proof you don't need to spend a lot of time cooking to deliver a gorgeous, delicious dinner, be it on a busy workday or after hours of hectic weekend shopping. This entrée will be on the table in just 20 minutes.

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Grilled Lamb Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce

Christopher Testani

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Give burger night a twist with these lamb burgers. The yogurt sauce, chopped tomatoes, and lots of parsley make the perfect toppings for these Greek-style burgers.

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Green Mojo Salmon

Petrina Tinslay

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Serving a whole side of salmon is just plain impressive. And it's surprisingly simple to put together.

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Lime Pudding Cups

Johnny Fogg

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Take 10 minutes in the morning to make this comforting dessert, then pop it in the fridge to chill before you head out to work. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and some crushed graham crackers, and dessert is served.

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Butter Pecan Blondies

Ren Fuller

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These treats are perfect if you are expecting a crowd. If you want to gild the lily, go a la mode and top them with ice cream and caramel sauce.

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Butter Waffle Cookies with Mascarpone

Linda Pugliese

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A ridiculously easy treat, this dessert takes just five minutes to make. If you have a bit more time, mix some minced crystalized ginger into the mascarpone.

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Quick Recipes That Are Perfect for Entertaining—Including Everything from Appetizers to Desserts

1 of 13

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Broccoli Frito Misto

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Mixed-Olive Tapenade

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Shucked Oysters with Three Sauces

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Spanish Chorizo Meatballs

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Potato-Chip-and-Pimiento Mini Crab Cakes

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Ham and Cheese Flatbread

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Grilled Halibut Steaks with Potatoes, Olives, and Onions

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Grilled Lamb Burgers with Yogurt-Feta Sauce

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Green Mojo Salmon

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Lime Pudding Cups

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Butter Pecan Blondies

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Butter Waffle Cookies with Mascarpone

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