5 Spring appetizers

Spring is a great time to host a get-together, and we have five easy and delicious spring appetizers that your guests will love.

Garlic lemon shrimp

These easy shrimp skewers are a fresh and delicious spring party pleaser.

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 to 2-1/2 pounds peeled, deveined shrimp (12 to 15 per pound), rinsed and drained
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
• 3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Lemon wedges

Directions:

1. Mix salt and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add shrimp and toss gently to coat. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
3. Rinse shrimp well and drain; rinse and dry bowl as well. Return shrimp to bowl.
4. Add olive oil, parsley, lemon peel, garlic and pepper; toss to coat.
5. Thread shrimp on metal or soaked wooden skewers.
6. Bake for 8 minutes.

Parmesan crackers with proscuitto & asparagus

Salty proscuitto and fresh asparagus turn these cheesy homemade crackers into a great spring appetizer.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 pound (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 3 ounces grated Parmesan
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Cream the butter in a large bowl.
2. Add the Parmesan, flour, salt, thyme and pepper; mix.
3. Roll dough into a 13-inch-long log; wrap in plastic wrap and freeze for about 30 minutes.
4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
5. Cut the dough into 1/2-inch thick “crackers” and place on a cookie sheet.
6. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes.
7. Top each cracker with a thin slice of proscuitto ham and a blanched asparagus tip.

Ricotta & orange marmalade crostini

This elegant crostini is perfect for a spring party, and no one will ever guess how easy this appetizer is.

Ingredients:

• 12 slices (1/2-inch-thick) rustic artisan bread
• 15 ounces whole ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup orange marmalade
• Orange zest to taste

Directions:

1. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat.
2. Grill the bread for about 4 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
3. Remove from grill pan and top with 2 tablespoons ricotta.
4. Spoon 1 tablespoon marmalade over the ricotta, zest a bit of orange peel on top, and serve.

Greek-style chicken meatballs with kicked-up cucumber yogurt dip

This easy yet unique appetizer will have your guests yelling Opa!

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, plus additional for drizzling
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, chopped, divided
• 2 boxes frozen chopped spinach, defrosted
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 tablespoons grill seasoning
• 1-1/2 cups Greek-style plain yogurt
• 1/3 seedless cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh dill
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1-1/2 teaspoons, cumin
• 1-1/2 teaspoons, coriander
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2. Combine onion and 3 cloves garlic in a bowl.
3. Squeeze the water out of the spinach until completely dry.
4. Add spinach to the garlic and onion, separating it as you do so.
5. Add feta, chicken and grill seasoning to the bowl; add a large drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
6. Mix the meat with veggies and feta, and form 18 same-sized meatballs.
7. Transfer meatballs to a nonstick cookie sheet.
8. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until they are golden brown and juices run clear.
9. For the dipping sauce, combine yogurt, garlic, cucumber, dill, lemon juice, cumin, coriander and a little salt in food processor and blend until smooth.
10. Serve alongside meatballs with toothpicks.

Artichoke hearts topped with spinach & brie

This delicious appetizer is loaded with nutrient-rich veggies, but it’s so good, you won’t even notice!

Ingredients:

• 1 9-ounce box frozen artichoke hearts
• 2/3 cup cooked chopped spinach
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 18 thin slices brie

Directions:

1. Turn on broiler.
2. Meanwhile, prepare artichoke hearts according to package directions.
3. In a bowl, combine spinach, pepper and salt in a small bowl.
4. Spoon equal amounts of the spinach mixture on each artichoke heart and top with a slice of brie.
5. Broil until cheese melts, 1 to 2 minutes.

More spring recipes & party ideas

Low-carb spring appetizers
Throw a spring garden party
Trendy floral cocktails for spring