Appetizer recipes

Dumplings or potstickers are one of the most well known and favorite Chinese dishes. The filling (usually made with pork, chicken, shrimp and vegetables) is wrapped in a round-shaped dough and then boiled, steamed or fried. Dumplings can be served with stir fried cabbage and a dipping sauce made with soy sauce, sesame oil and other ingredients. They are great as an appetizer.
 

Italian fried rice and cheese balls filled with a shrimp and cream mixture, great as an appetizer.
 

Refried beans is a typical Mexican dish. It can be used as a side dish or as a filling in dishes like enchiladas, burritos and more. This recipe uses fresh beans so make sure you soak them the night before. You can of course use canned beans - the taste might not be the same but they will still taste good.
 

A great Mexican salsa with tomatillos (small green tomatoes widely used in the Mexican cusine) and chipotle chiles. The tomatillos are first roasted, then mixed with the chipotles, sauteed onion, coriander, vinegar and dried oregano. The salsa makes a great side dish with most Mexican dishes.
 

A fresh tomato, onion and jalapeno based salsa, used as a side dish with many Mexican dishes. This very popular side dish is easy to make and tastes best when fresh.
 

Jalapenos are an essential ingredient in the Mexican cuisine. This recipe shows how to make pickled jalapenos. Pickled jalapenos can be used in many Mexican dishes such as nachos, enchiladas, quesadillas and more. The jalapenos can be refrigerated for about a month.
 

A great Mexican appetizer, cheese nachos are corn tortilla chips topped with cheese and jalapeno chiles.
 

A traditional TexMex chili cheese sauce, great as a dip for nachos.

 

Chili or chile con queso is a typical Mexican chile flavored cheese dip, perfect with tortilla chips and beer. The cheese dip can be made a day or 2 ahead and refrigerated until needed.
 

A simple, fast and extra delicious Southern style shrimp dish great as an appetizer or even a main dish when served over a warm tortilla together with a green salad. The shrimps are first marinaded in a garlic, oregano, thyme, lemon and Worcestershire flavored sauce, pan fried and finally cooked for a few minutes in butter. This recipe can serve 2 for a main dish, 4 or more for an appetizer. You can double all ingredients for twice the servings. If you like the shrimps to be a bit hot you can increase the amount of cayenne pepper used.