Comfort Food Starters

By Food & Wine
Updated January 12, 2017
Credit: © Kana Okada
When entertaining, why not satisfy your guests with what they're craving most: comfort food? Here, 10 of our favorite rich, homey appetizers, from mini mac-and-cheese to lobster sliders.
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Hush Puppies with Green Zebra Tomato Jam

Credit: PHOTO © ANNA WILLIAMS
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These classic hush puppies get a kick of flavor from a highly seasoned, Indian-inflected tomato jam with ginger, cinnamon, cumin and cayenne.

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2 of 10

Lamb Meatballs with Mint

Credit: © Quentin Bacon
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Albóndigas de Cordero a la Hierbabuena are a classic tapa meatball made with the combination of lamb and mint.

3 of 10

Three Cheese Mini-Macs

Credit: © Kana Okada
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Anything big made small is always fun for cocktail parties, and these quick, one-bite mac and cheeses are the ultimate example. Cooked in mini muffin pans, the mini macs can be assembled early and baked just as guests arrive.

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Lobster Sliders

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These lush, miniature appetizers are a take on classic New England lobster rolls.

5 of 10

Lamb Pizzettes

Credit: © Kana Okada
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This recipe is based on the Arabic lamejun, a thin piece of dough topped with minced meat, then baked. Here the ground lamb is flavored with cumin, mint and pine nuts.

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Mini Burgers & Crispy Onion Rings

Credit: © Wendell T. Webber
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These little burgers are extra juicy because they're made with a mixture of meats, including ground chuck and short rib.

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Mini Smoked-Salmon Croque-Monsieur

Credit: John Kernick
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For Alison Attenborough and Jamie Kimm, make-ahead recipes are key for holiday entertaining. The night before the party, Jamie spreads a creamy chive-flecked smoked salmon mixture (based on a béchamel, or white sauce, often used in a classic croque-monsieur) between cocktail-size slices of bread. He cooks the sandwiches right before guests arrive. Alison serves the sandwiches with small, disposable wooden forks so guests can keep their hands grease-free.

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Caesar Salad Spears

Credit: © Kana Okada
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Salads usually require forks, here the classic Caesar is transformed into a clever finger food. Toss chopped endives with a lemony dressing, then spoon the mixture inside elegant endive spears, topping it with cheese and crunchy mini croutons.

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Mini Panamanian Beef Empanadas

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Ground beef and cilantro fill these flakey, comfort classic savory pastries.

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10 of 10

Mini Brioche Lobster Rolls

Credit: © Kana Okada
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These rolls, which are a delightful play on the traditional lobster roll, are quite substantial, so one per person is plenty, especially if you're serving additional hors d'oeuvres. Cooked shrimp or lump crab is a fine alternative to lobster.

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