For more easy appetizer recipes check out our Holiday Appetizers page.

Summertime to me means, backyard BBQs, pool parties, and GREAT food! Get stocked up on some great summertime appetizers that are fun to make and fun to serve. Your guests, friends, and family will love you for it and think you are “Da bomb”!

Here are some ideas to get started. Enjoy the warm weather and the freedom that summer brings and where sunscreen!

Veggie Tarts – These mini muffin-size appetizer tarts are the perfect party food. Refrigerated Crescent roll dough makes it easy to create a finger food that even kids will like.

Spicy Roasted Chickpeas – Perfect for a BBQ party! Adding a dash of cayenne gets the mouth watering for these crispy, crunchy chickpeas.

Smoked Salmon Spread in Sourdough Bowl – These easy party appetizers are quick to make and low-fat, too. The cream cheese and salmon mixture is presented in a bread bowl for an extra festive look

Roast Beef Crostini with Horseradish Cream - Spicy horseradish gives these warm appetizers a hearty kick. The combination of warm French bread toast and cool roast beef creates a party food that complements any gathering.

Mushroom Caponata on Bagel Crisps – This caponata appetizer recipe blends eggplant, tomatoes, mushrooms and onions for to create vegetarian party food that everyone will enjoy.

For more great ideas for party planning and delicious easy appetizers, visit our Simple Appetizer Recipes page.

Don’t forget to visit Easy Appetizer Recipes for more great ideas for  your parties, gatherings and get-togethers.

From Hors d’oeuvre, appetizers are if there is a long period of time between when your guests arrive and when the main meal is served. An example would be during a cocktail hour. Appetizers might also serve the purpose of keeping guests happy (not starving!) during the long wait. In some cases, Hors d’oeuvres are served with no meal afterward. Cases where you might see this are at many reception and cocktail party events.

Hors d’oeuvre may be served at the dinner table as a part main meal or they may be served before sitting at the table. Hors d’oeuvres served prior to a main meal are either stationary on side tables or passed around by the host or workers at those hosts reception location. Stationary hors d’oeuvres are also referred to as table hors d’oeuvres.

I never knew that! It’s almost like serving Tapas or small plates instead of a full on meal. My kind of dining!

I want to tell you more about Tapas small plates and how much fun they can be. I mean, Tapas are HOT! (and cold…) but going out to a Tapas bar, or making your own inviting small plates and then in turn, inviting your friends over to share them, is a blast. I have a whole page on the history of tapas on my Easy Appetizer Recipes website. You should check it out when you get a chance.

Here’s a definition of tapas for those unfamiliar with the savory small plates and the tradition behind it…

Popular throughout Spain in bars and restaurants, tapas are appetizers that usually accompany SHERRY or other APÃRTIFS or COCKTAILS. They can also form an entire meal and can range from simple items such as olives or cubes of ham and cheese to more elaborate preparations like cold omelets, snails in a spicy sauce, stuffed peppers and miniature sandwiches.

The Tapas tradition or the art of tapeo originated from Spain. And in many of its famous cities, tapeo is the practice of sampling various tapas at different bars in town. Many consider this an art, as far as food tasting is concern. I call it plain ole’ fun.

Just to whet your appetite (isn’t that what appetizers are supposed to do??)… here’s one of my favorite tapas small plate recipes – nice and easy and so yummy!

Figs and Ham Tapas- Also known as Higos con Jamón
Who would have thought that a combination of figs and ham tapas could make such a yummy appetizer? You’ll want to make a whole meal out of it!

I don’t normally like fruit with meat, but there’s something so delicious about this combination that I had to try it. And it’s worth it. Serve this on beautiful little tapas small plates and you’ll end up “wowing” your guests!

Blue Puente Tapas Plate

What you’ll need:
- Figs
- Chives
- Smoked ham – chopped into smallish pieces
- Olive oil

To find out how this all goes together, read the rest of the figs and ham tapas recipe.

Even those who say they don’t like fish, crab dip recipes are hard to NOT like. Especially, when you pair it with the perfect gathering and the fun party drinks. Here’s one of my favorite recipes for making the dip of crab…

What you’ll need:
- 1 8-ounce light cream cheese
- 1 6-ounce can crab meat (drained and reserve liquid)*
- 1/4 cup green onions (finely chopped)
- 2 tsp lemon juice (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp Paprika
- hot pepper sauce (to taste)

This recipe makes about 1 1/2 cups. Serve in a festive dip bowl with a spreader.

* If  you have the time and a little extra cash, substitute the canned crab meat for fresh, cracked crab. Ooo la la! You’re mouth will be in heaven with this little extra care. Even if you don’t use fresh crab, you’ll still enjoy this dip. Creamy and delicious! Enjoy!

Looking for more dip ideas? Check out this Chip Dip Recipes page.

So, my aim here, on this blog all about simple and easy appetizers, is to share with you dear reader, some of my favorite appetizers, interesting food history and ways to make parties more fun. You’ll find appetizer recipes for every occasion, gathering, party and holiday. I hope you enjoy it and please feel free to comment…

In the meantime, while I get my thoughts in order and start posting more… visit my website at Easy Appetizer Recipes. It’s fun and full of great ideas for your next gathering.

Happy munching!

BusyMOM