Appetizers & Snacks
From-Scratch Mushroom Pierogi with Horseradish Cream
A made-from-scratch dumpling project: tangy sour cream dough, a potato filling loaded with browned mixed mushrooms and herbs, and a quick horseradish crème fraîche on the side.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Smoked Links Wrapped in Mustard Green Pastry with Chive Dijonaise
A playful take on a party favorite: cocktail smoked links are tucked into crescent dough with a Dijon-spiked mustard greens filling, then finished with melted butter, black mustard seeds, and smoked flaky salt. A quick chive Dijonaise comes together on the side for dipping.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Crispy Cheese Ravioli with Spicy Marinara: A St. Louis Original
Learn how to make fried ravioli, the cheesy appetizer that reportedly began with a happy accident at a St. Louis eatery in the 1940s. This version coats frozen ravioli in a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, fries them until golden, and serves them with a quick Calabrian chili marinara for dipping.
- Appetizers & Snacks
How to Make Bouncy Cantonese Steamed Beef Balls at Home
Steamed beef balls are a dim sum staple prized for their springy bite and rich savoriness. With a handful of careful techniques, you can reproduce that texture in your own kitchen. The process begins with top blade steak—an economical, lean chuck cut—that is pulsed in a food processor into a coarse grind rather than a fine paste, which is key to the finished balls' characteristic bounce.
- Dips & Spreads
Whipped Sweet Potato Dip with Garlic Confit and Harissa Oil
A creamy sweet potato dip enriched with garlic confit and olive oil, topped with garlic crème fraîche, harissa oil, candied pumpkin seeds, and fresh herbs. Serve with pita or raw vegetables for a crowd-pleasing appetizer.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Crispy Vietnamese Fried Rolls With a Wheat-Wrapper Twist
These deep-fried rolls go by nem ran in northern Vietnam and cha-gio in the south, and the difference starts with the wrapper: rice paper versus a wheat-and-egg sheet. A homemade nuoc cham and a lettuce-and-herb wrap round out the plate.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Crispy Creole Crab Cakes with Two Homemade Condiments
Golden pan-fried crab cakes seasoned with Creole spices, paired with a tangy tartar sauce and a crunchy slaw for a complete meal.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Crispy Ropa Vieja Dumplings with Sweet-Tart Tamarind Sauce
A home-cooking project that turns slow-simmered shredded flank steak into purse-shaped dumplings, served with a tangy tamarind hoisin dip.
- Snacks
Mini Potato Fritters with Creamy Caper-Horseradish Dip
Crispy, poppable potato cylinders — a fun take on traditional Hanukkah latkes — are shallow-fried until deeply golden and served with a cool, tangy sauce of sour cream, chives, dill, capers, and horseradish. Equally at home on a holiday table or a game-day spread, and easy to adapt with any favorite dip.
- Snacks
Slow-Simmered Orange Marmalade with Seeded Whole-Grain Crackers
A patient stovetop method turns oranges, lemon, and sugar into glossy marmalade, paired with easy rye-free crackers you roll and bake yourself.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Buffalo Chicken Meatballs Paired with a Creamy Blue Cheese Dip
When a dish is easy to carry around, it suits parties and get-togethers—especially ones centered on watching sports. These buffalo chicken meatballs fit that bill: they work well at a potluck and deliver the familiar hot-wing taste without leaving your hands sticky.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Oven-Baked Veggie Egg Rolls with an Indonesian Twist
Valerie's fondness for Indonesian cooking inspired this simple, veggie-packed variation on classic egg rolls. Served as a light main dish or a shareable starter, they bake in the oven instead of frying.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Curry Brandade Flatbreads with Smoked Salmon
Individual flatbreads topped with a curried halibut-and-potato brandade, par-baked on the stovetop, then finished with smoked salmon, shaved red onion, and chives.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Crispy BBQ Pork-Wrapped Eggs with Slaw
A soft-boiled egg tucked inside savory pulled pork, breaded and fried until crisp, then served over tangy slaw with a smoky homemade sauce.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Build-Your-Own Scandinavian Seafood Board with Quick-Pickled Onions
Create a relaxed yet celebratory spread with make-ahead poached shrimp, tangy pickled red onions, and a creamy herb yogurt sauce. Assemble with crisp vegetables, briny pickles, and hearty breads for an effortless gathering. Poaching the shrimp in their shells boosts flavor and helps prevent overcooking.
- Appetizers & Snacks
Wok-Smoked Salmon Fillets Paired with a Crisp Apple-Dressed Salad
Brine salmon overnight, smoke it in a wok for half an hour, and plate it with a tangy apple vinaigrette over greens — a home-cured seafood dish built for two.
