Hors d'Oeuvres

Popular in Greece, where it’s called bouyourdi, these slices of feta baked with tomatoes are popular as a little nibble before a meal. Serve with crusty bread. The recipe comes from Greece resident Aglaia Kremezi, who has written many volumes on the cuisine of her country. Wild oregano is collected on mountains in Greece and dried (it’s available at specialty markets). 

Ahh, Moody’s has the best onion rings I’ve ever had. We actually brought some home with us on the plane and I still enjoyed them the next day when they were sort of soggy. Then I couldn’t get onion rings out of my head and decided it was about time I try to make some at home. Now, I knew there was no way I could replicate the deliciousness of Moody’s golden fried onion rings, so I decided to bake mine instead and give them a special pizza twist.

This dip is on the mild side. For a little more kick, increase the amount of dried crushed red pepper. Great dip for parties.

Having hard-cooked eggs on hand for Easter, once the dyeing and hunting are done, is a perfect excuse to make creamy, rich deviled eggs. They are delicious both seasoned simply and matched with all kinds of flavors. For instance, a combination of pickled beets and green apple provides a tangy-sweet crunch, while garlic, Parmesan, fresh basil, and salami bring to mind -- and taste buds -- a classic Italian antipasto. In a Japan-inspired version, scallions, sesame oil, and chopped seaweed balance nuttiness and onion against the brininess of the sea.

Tartines are essentially French open-face sandwiches. In this nibble, crunchy toasts are topped with roasted Spanish piquillo peppers and rich, savory sardines. A few drops of spicy sriracha sauce give this sophisticated starter a bit of heat.

What to Drink:

With the tartines, pour a refreshing Albariño, a white wine from Spain. We like the Carballal 2008 "Sete Cepas" from Rías Baixas ($15). The wine's mineral notes are balanced beautifully by stone-fruit flavors.
 

Japanese breadcrumbs and shredded coconut give these shrimp a crispy, crunchy crust.

A popular tapa served in bars and cafes across Spain, tortilla is a versatile treat that is served warm or at room temperature, for lunch or with drinks.

A sweet-and-salty miso glaze turns tofu into little bites of comfort food, traditionally served on skewers. Active Time: 15 min Total Time: 15 min