CHAPTER 2

Amazing Appetizers

Here’s what I’ve learned about you, the viewer, after five seasons of working at The Chew: you are just like me, busy and your time is important to you. I totally get that. When you come home from a long day at work, the last thing you want to do is spend all night in the kitchen. Prepping for a party is no exception.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times, the key to throwing a great party is a happy host. If you’re not happy, your guests wont be, so do yourself a favor and take it easy. Don’t decide to serve twenty appetizers and two mixed-to-order cocktails just to impress your friends. If they are really your friends, they will be happy with cheese and crackers and maybe some olives because the company is what’s really important. Now in my opinion, every party should be a cocktail party because I love a variety of bites at my disposal at all times and I love to mingle and enjoy fabulous conversations with my favorite people.

So here, we have compiled some of our favorite viewer appetizers from the last five years. It was difficult to narrow it down to just a few, but within this chapter is a great mix of hot and cold appetizers, perfect for your next casual dinner or raging cocktail party. You’ll find recipes for a casual afternoon of noshing or an elegant affair. Whatever party theme you decide, we’ve got it covered.

—Clinton Kelly

Tasty, Trashy Taters / Wendy Bradley

Warm Artichoke Dip / Leah Burke

Grandma’s Empanadas / Irene Santana-Rivera

Mini Filipino Egg Rolls / Myrna Razak

Roasted Honey, Ginger BBQ Wings / Akilah Abrams

Jalapeño Mac and Cheese Cupcakes / Shawnee Braggs Knight

Quinoa Black Bean Sliders / Latoya Conner

Pulled Pork Sliders / Christina Rose Rahn

Panzerotti / Dina Gramehna-Dixon

Crab Cakes and Veggie Slaw / The Jones Family

Daphne’s Asian-Style Turkey Meatballs / Daphne Oz

Toasted Almond Gazpacho / Michael Symon

White Bean Bruschetta / Mario Batali