Party Dishes: All-American Appetizers

By Food & Wine
Updated May 24, 2017
These phenomenal homegrown dishes include peel-and-eat shrimp with barbecue spices and three-cheese mini macs.
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Natchitoches Meat Pies with Spicy Buttermilk Dip

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Natchitoches, Louisiana, is renowned for its meat pies. Kelly English serves his mini version with a dipping sauce that combines two quintessential Southern ingredients: buttermilk and hot sauce.

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Caramelized Onion Dip

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This homemade onion dip is far better than the storebought version.

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Peel-and-Eat Shrimp with Barbecue Spices

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During his visit to Savannah, Bobby Flay ate as much Gulf shrimp and barbecue as humanly possible, then came back to New York and created a recipe that cleverly combines them both. He loves to rub large peel-and-eat shrimp with a barbecue-inspired blend of paprika, chile powder, sugar and cumin before sautéing them.

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Baked Buffalo Chicken Wings

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Most of us think of Buffalo wings as bar food, but with their accompaniment of celery sticks and creamy blue-cheese dressing, they make a fine casual meal. These wings are hot, but if you like them incendiary, pass extra Tabasco sauce at the table.

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Lobster Sliders

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These lush, miniature takes on classic New England lobster rolls are a staple of this sleek South End lounge and restaurant, one of the few places in Boston that serves great food late at night.

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Three-Cheese Mini Macs

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Anything big made small is ultrafun 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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Crab Cakes with Horseradish Cream

© KAREN MORDECHAI
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These classic crab cakes are easy to make, as is the tangy horseradish cream.

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Pimento Cheese

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Pimientos are large, sweet, heart-shaped peppers that are typically used for canning. Pimento cheese—the simple combination of grated cheddar cheese with mayonnaise and pimientos—is a Southern staple often served on crackers or vegetables. The key to making the best pimento cheese is top-quality sharp cheddar.

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Oven Fries with Roasted Garlic

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Skin-on potatoes, like the ones used for these crispy, low-fat fries, are high in vitamin C and potassium; they're also a good source of dietary fiber and vitamin B.

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