Dazzling Gourmet Hors d'Oeuvres

Impress your guests by serving coconut shrimp over slaw in festive martini glasses. You'll be the talk of the town.

Recipe: Shrimp Martinis with Napa Cabbage Slaw

Serving oysters on the half shell with a little scoop of the frozen red wine mixture adds both flavor to the oysters and color to your presentation.

Recipe: Oysters with Mignonette Ice

Smoked salmon is always a welcome addition to an elegant appetizer table. Get a head start on your party preparations by making this salmon mixture early in the day.

Recipe: Smoked Salmon Crostini

Although a classic ceviche has raw fish that's been marinated in fresh lime juice long enough to "cook" the fish, this party version features cooked shrimp that's served in a vegetable and lime juice mixture.

Recipe: Ceviche de Camaron (Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail)

Start with only 5 ingredients to make this simple and elegant appetizer that's a guaranteed crowd pleaser.

Recipe: Pancetta Crisps With Goat Cheese and Pear

The name says it all. What's better than bacon? Shrimp wrapped in bacon and stuffed with Parmesan cheese, basil, and garlic. Serve these delectable appetizers in soup spoons for over-the-top presentation.

Recipe: Bacon-wrapped Shrimp with Basil-Garlic Stuffing

Try this wonton twist on ravioli as a knife-and-fork hors d'oeuvre. You can prepare the ravioli up to one day in advance; sauté in lemon-sage brown butter just before serving. Or freeze on a baking sheet until firm, transfer to an airtight container, and store frozen up to four weeks.

Recipe: Sweet Potato Ravioli with Lemon-Sage Brown Butter

Fresh, quality ingredients shine in this easy-to-make first course. Wrap prosciutto around asparagus, arugula, and pecorino cheese drizzled with olive oil and white wine vinegar. One batch makes a dozen bundles and takes just 30 minutes. We suggest serving with a glass of crisp Pinot Grigio.

Recipe: Asparagus Prosciutto Bundles with Arugula

Fill restaurant-style spring rolls with shrimp and pork for your dipping pleasure. You can fry them in advance, keeping the rolls warm in the oven before guests arrive. If you're serving as a first course, plate two rolls over lettuce leaves with a single serving of sauce.

Recipe: Shanghai Spring Rolls with Sweet Chili Sauce

Party-starting crab cakes are surprisingly quick to prepare when using canned lump crab meat. Prepare the morning before the party, refrigerate, and bake just before serving.

Recipe: Panko-crusted Crab Cake Bites with Roasted Pepper-Chive Aioli

Crunchy vegetables pair with hoisin-seasoned chicken in this refreshing roll. You can make the sauce and chicken mixture a few hours ahead, but assemble the rolls just before serving so that they don't dry out.

Recipe: Vietnamese Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce