Appetizing Appetizers

Europe

Scandinavia

Gravlax is an appetizer prepared with raw, salt-cured salmon seasoned with dill, The salmon is sliced thinly and placed on bread or crackers.

France

Escargot is a delicacy that is a well-known appetizer. Snails are removed from their shells and cooked with garlic, butter, chicken stock, or wine until tender. Then they are put back in their shells, and topped with herb-infused garlic butter, and run under a broiler.

Poland

Smalec is a traditional spread that is made with rendered pork fat, onions, and spices. The spread can be combined with diced apples, prunes, garlic, marjoram, salt, and pepper. Usually, the onions, apples, and prunes are first fried in pork fat. The mixture can be spread on bread or crackers.

Ryba po grecku is a traditional fish dish. It is made with fried fish filets like cod, haddock, tilapia, or perch, carrots, celery, leeks, parsley, onions, oil, tomato paste, lemon juice or vinegar, bay leaves, paprika, salt, and pepper. The chopped and grated vegetables are mixed together and sauteed and then the other ingredients are added.

Greece

Keftedakia are Greek meatballs. They are made with ground pork and beef, eggs, stale bread or breadcrumbs, and seasonings like dill, pepper, parsley, and oregano. Then shaped into small balls and fried in olive oil.

Mydia is a popular Greek and Croatian appetizer. It is prepared with fresh mussels steamed in red wine and fresh herbs and garlic. When done the mussels are doused in a red Mediterranean sauce and served with bread for the sauce.

Italy

Bruschetta al pomodoro is a popular appetizer made with sliced, toasted bread that is rubbed with garlic and topped with finely chopped tomatoes. The tomatoes are drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with sea salt, and freshly chopped basil leaves.

Spain

Gambas a la plancha is a traditional Spanish tapa dish. It includes whole shrimp seasoned with salt and grilled in an iron skillet over high heat. They are enjoyed with lemon or lime juice squeezed on top.

Portugal

Bolinhos de bacalhau is a popular appetizer from northern Portugal and one of the country’s national dishes. Cod is soaked and deboned and then the dry salted cod is combined with mashed potatoes, onions, parsley, eggs, and spices. Formed into balls and fried until golden brown.

Asia

China

Guotie are pan-fried dumplings from northern China. They’re filled with minced pork, Chinese cabbage, scallions, ginger, rice wine, and sesame seed oil.

Africa

Tunisia

Tunisian brik is made with a flaky dough filled with ingredients like tuna and spices such as cilantro, chilis, pepper, and coriander seeds. A raw egg is placed on top of the tuna filling and the pastry is carefully folded not breaking the egg so it cooks in the flaky pastry while it bakes.

North America

The US

Mozzarella sticks are made with battered, breaded, and deep-fried mozzarella cheese pieces. When served as an appetizer they can be dipped in sauces like barbecue sauce, honey mustard sauce, and others.

Louisiana

Oysters Rockefeller is a popular appetizer that originated in New Orleans, Louisiana. The appetizer is prepared with oysters on half-shells topped with butter sauce, bread crumbs, and greens like parsley and then broiled or baked.

New York

Garlic knots are a traditional American type of garlic bread. They are made with bread or pizza dough rolled and pulled into knots and brushed with crushed garlic, olive oil, and chopped parsley. Additional ingredients can include black pepper, oregano, and parmesan cheese. They are served with warm marinara sauce.

Mexico

Chile relleno originated in the city of Puebla. Chili peppers are stuffed with cheese, nuts, cinnamon, and diced meat. Then dipped in eggs and flour and fried in hot oil.