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All-Time Best Recipes Series

All-Time Best Appetizers

YOUR NEW SECRET WEAPON FOR EASIER, MORE DELICIOUS ENTERTAINING

Appetizers, hors d'oeuvres, finger food, canapés, tapas: whatever you call this category of foods, it’s a big one, and as diverse as the occasions for serving them. Almost any type of food can be adapted and served as an appetizer. This wealth of options can make planning a party menu feel overwhelming, especially since you probably don’t have to think too hard to remember a time when you experienced mediocre appetizers, whether it was a flavorless dip or a slice of greasy tart. Yet despite abundant indications to the contrary, assembling an impressive array of delicious homemade appetizers is really not that hard, and you don’t have to hire a caterer or rely on prepackaged foods to do it.

In this book we present 75 of the best, most finger-friendly, crowd-pleasing, soirée-ready recipes that we’ve developed over the past 20 years at America’s Test Kitchen. Every recipe has been put through our extensive testing process in our quest for the best version, so you can rest assured that these recipes are foolproof and flavorful. You can’t always predict what’s going to happen at a party (that’s part of the fun), but with these recipes in hand at least you know that the food will be great.

What makes an appetizer one of the best? As we assembled this book, we looked for dishes that brought something special to the table. The difference between average appetizers and really great ones is found in the details. When you’re making food that’s going to be consumed in small portions, every aspect has to be in harmony. A one-bite appetizer needs to be packed with flavor without going overboard. The flavors in this book range from perfected versions of the classics, like the sweet-savory fusion of our Prosciutto-Wrapped Figs with Gorgonzola, to fresh new combinations like Habanero and Mango Guacamole. Others bring just the right texture profile, such as Crispy Spiced Chickpeas or creamy Sweet Potato Hummus. We’ve also considered all the different contexts in which people serve appetizers to help you choose the right mix of dishes for the occasion.

We hope this book, with its carefully curated selection of recipes, will make it easier for you to plan the perfect party. We’ve organized each chapter around the format of the recipe so if you mix and match among them, you’re guaranteed to have a menu that covers all the bases and not only pleases your guests but also doesn’t overtax your time and energy in the kitchen. That includes something simple that you can eat by the handful, a dip that makes those celery sticks look good, and a sophisticated bite that wouldn’t be out of place on a silver platter. Or you might want to only make snacks in bowls in order to keep serving and cleanup as simple as possible; we’re there for you either way. We’ve also got your back when it comes to accommodating a wide variety of diets, which can be a major challenge when you’re cooking for a crowd. All-Time Best Appetizers includes lists of every vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free recipe. Consider this book your new secret weapon for easier, more delicious, less stressful, and altogether better entertaining.

On Sale September 20, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-940352-82-4
$22.95 US / $29.95 CAN
192 pages, hardcover, four-color throughout
BUY NOW: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound | Books-A-Million | ATK Bookstore

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Party-Ready Recipes All-Time Best Appetizers

All-Time Best Appetizers features a perfectly curated selection of our favorite appetizer recipes for a spread that hits all the high points, from dippable options to snacks to munch by the handful to elegant two-bite treats. Most recipes offer detailed make-ahead instructions, and we also offer advice for choosing drinks, planning your menu, and stocking your pantry.