30 Sophisticated Starters

Frederic Lagrange
Start with the very best ingredients, add a polished presentation, and you've got a pre-dinner spread with serious sophistication.
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Martha's Birthday Hors d'Oeuvres

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

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Blini with Caviar

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

3 of 26

Oysters with Serrano Chile, Avocado, and Cherry Tomatoes

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

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Baked Brie with Pecans

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

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Shrimp Cocktail

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

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Grilled Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Blue Cheese and Pecans

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

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Salmon Mousse

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

8 of 26

Gruyere-and-Parmesan Beignets

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

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Pears and Camembert

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

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Blue Cheese and Walnut Spread

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

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Lentil Pate

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

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Smoked Trout and Garlic Cream on Rye Toasts

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

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Upside-Down Mushroom Tartlets

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

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Mini Chicken B'Steeyas

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

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Pear Pecan Toasts

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

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Cantaloupe and Mozzarella with Prosciutto and Basil

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

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Three-Cheese Gougeres

Johnny Miller
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Expect three times the flavor in these savory puffs.

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Daikon Radish Boxes with Crab Salad

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

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Cucumber Cups with Vichyssoise

Craig Cutler
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Hollowed-out cucumbers become impressive vessels for creamy soup.

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Fresh Radishes with Flavored Salts and Butter

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

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Fried Olives

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

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Stravecchio Frico

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These frilly webs of cheese require only two ingredients.

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Beet Chips

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

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Endive Spears with Lobster, Avocado, and Grapefruit

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Endives become mini boats to transport utterly upscale ingredients.

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Spicy Tuna Tartare

Ken Kochey
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The surprise? Sriracha gives this tartare its spicy edge.

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Edible Serving Vessels

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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.

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