Martha Stewart's Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus 30 Cocktails: A Cookbook

by Martha Stewart

With more than 200 recipes, successfully cook snacks, starters, small plates, stylish bites, and sips for any occasion.
 
Hors d’oeuvres made Today’s style of entertaining calls for fuss-free party foods that are easy to make and just as delicious as ever. With more than 200 recipes for tasty pre-dinner bites, substantial small plates, special-occasion finger foods, and quick snacks to enjoy with drinks, Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is the new go-to guide for any type of get-together. 

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Reference, Foodie, Lifestyle

256 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2015

About the author

Martha Helen Stewart is an American retail businesswoman, writer, and television personality. As the founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, focusing on home and hospitality, she gained success through a variety of business ventures, encompassing publishing, broadcasting, merchandising and e-commerce. She has written numerous bestselling books, was the publisher of Martha Stewart Living magazine and hosted two syndicated television programs: Martha Stewart Living, which ran from 1993 to 2004, and The Martha Stewart Show, which ran from 2005 to 2012.
In 2004, Stewart was convicted of felony charges related to the ImClone stock trading case; she served five months in federal prison for fraud and was released in March 2005. There was speculation that the incident would effectively end her media empire, but in 2005 Stewart began a comeback campaign and her company returned to profitability in 2006. Stewart rejoined the board of directors of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia in 2011 and became chairwoman of her namesake company again in 2012. The company was acquired by Sequential Brands in 2015. Sequential Brands Group agreed in April 2019 to sell Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, including the Emeril brand, to Marquee Brands for $175 million with benchmarked additional payments.

Reviews

[Bloggeretterized · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review on my blog.

The moment you open a box from Penguin Random House, you remove the bubble wrap and you hear an angelic chorus in your head as you hold Martha Stewart’s Appetizers for the first time!

Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is a wonderful and priceless addition to my bookshelf. Starting with the fabulous cover and back cover photographs, they are absolutely perfect for this book. The appetizers in those photographs are mouthwatering and definitely make you want to open the book and read it. The orange spine cover is perfect for any bookshelf. You won’t miss the title of the book on your shelf.

This book has it all: a Foreword by Living’s royal highness Martha Stewart of course, her 10 GOLDEN rules for Hosting a party, her tips and strategies for party planning and for the basic serving essentials you should have to make your appetizers look spectacular, 200 recipes for Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites and Sips plus a final chapter with Basic Recipes and Techniques for roasting, toasting, blanching, peeling, and other essential skills.

Like Martha says, the recipes in this book “reflect the new casualness we are witnessing in home entertaining” today. All the recipes are doable and don’t require professional or specific equipment. Anyone with basic cooking skills can read and follow these recipes. To give you an idea, the recipes include spiced or roasted nuts, seasoned popcorn, homemade crackers, salsas, dips, antipastos, spreads, skewers, rolls, sliders, pizzas, chicken wings, mac-and-cheese bites, deviled eggs, mini-quiches, canapés, ceviches, latkes and many more.

All the recipes, I repeat, all the recipes in this book are illustrated by stunning photographs by David Malosh, Marcus Nilsson, and Burcu Avsar. Having the image of each recipe is a priceless aid, so you know how the final product should look like. They also give you an idea on how to serve the appetizers or drinks; what platters, bowls, plates, glassware etc., you should use.
Martha should add a warning that the objects in the photographs are not as real as they appear! The photographs are so visually enthralling that you want to grab the appetizers from the photographs and eat them.

If you’re looking for recipes and ideas that will help you get through casual get-togethers with friends or special celebrations, this is the book for you. If you’re looking for ideas of what you can whip up for you and/or your husband or wife after a hard day’s work, this is the book for you. If you’re planning an evening with your favorite book, TV show, movie, etc., this is the book for you. If you don’t have a specific excuse and just want to delight yourself with “bites of pure enjoyment”, Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is the book for you.


Full review on my blog.

I received a free copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchange for a review.

[Kent District Library]

Join us for an informal discussion about cookbooks and sample delectable examples, potluck style. Stop by the branch for more details. This month's selection is Martha Stewart's Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Nibbles, Bites, Snacks, Starters, Small Plates and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres by Martha Stewart.
Discussion will take place at Kent District Library's Byron Township Branch, on October 7, 2019 from 6:30-7:30 pm.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like her other appetizer book better. It has more recipes and variations than this one.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty wide selection of things to make. Granted, many take time and call for special ingredients, but that's sort of what I expect from Martha Stewart. If it was easy, everyone would think it up and be able to do it. Even though I might not make the recipes, she opens my eyes to new ways of preparing and combining ingredients. I really appreciate her party tips and was pleasantly surprised at the number of simple recipes (edamame, popcorn seasoning, for example) that I will try out.

[JV Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personally I judge cookbooks (and craftbooks) based on the number of items I really want to try my hand at. 10 or more is great - and this book far exceeded that!
What is really a standout in this book is variations - so not one meatball, but a base recipe with 3 variations.
Martha Stewart books always have little side details to smooth the way - tips on what to serve together, where to source ingredients, substitutions, what to make ahead, etc. so don't skim!

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of pretty photographs, but not many appetizers I would actually want to take the time & effort to make. The recipes imply that there is not much work involved, but that is not the way they come across in the reading. These recipes are designed to appeal to modern sensibilities, but enh, a number of them were just not that appealing to me.

[Marylu Sanok · Rating 3 out of 5]

reference only

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, but more about dressing up ordinary appetizers into fancy Hors d'Oeuvres rather than showcasing anything actually fancy to begin with.

[Mary Jasen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great and quick ideas to use for entertaining.

[Lia Marcoux · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm, arancini!

[Dray · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me and was better than I had anticipated. Martha does a good job of showing creativity and fun in the appetizer department. I am making some of her creations at my next party.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were quite a few recipes in this cookbook with all 'normal' ingredients, which was surprising for a Martha Stewart book. The folks in my cookbook club were pleasantly surprised.

[Tilden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of photos and many recipes for different kinds of small eats.

[MrsK Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yum to the fullest! Within these pages you will discover a "bounty" of suggestions, simply delectable recipes, photos, hosting hints, and a feeling of success... an energy that inspires you to begin opening your home to festive evenings with friends and family.

Snacks: Quick snacking is always a favorite touch from the moment your guests arrive, through out the gathering, and well into your cleanup. These appetizers will be a welcomed "nibble":

Frico and Broiled Feta (pg.14): a "light" chip with dip that will be snacked quickly with much delight and conversation
Mini Cheese Biscuits (pg.22): perfect for a small gathering, a gaming event, or a quiet movie night
Edamame with Chile Salt (pg.26): warm and spicy "healthy" snacking (serve with the roasted spiced chickpeas pg.27)
Salsas (pg.31): simple and quick "on-the-spot" goodness (share a variety with olive spreads pg.43 and Guacamole pg.64)

Starters: Munching bites that entice any guest while your meal is filling your home with savory smells of goodness:

Winter Crudities with Buttermilk Dip (pg.54): refreshingly crisp igniting any palate
Croquettes (pg.67): warm fried Yukon Gold nuggets
Grilled Brie with Tomato Jam (pg79): grill a baguette, slice it and tantalize every guest with warm cheese and tomato jam
Fried Sweet-Potato Ravioli (pg.87): comfort food for a winter's gathering

Small Plates: Finger foods like sliders are a delight in any gathering. Quick and easy "stuffers" that will fill any guest with a hearty and hefty satisfaction:

Sliders (pgs.112-115): not just beef bites... consider Greek Lamb or Salmon or left over Turkey sliders... yum!
Tortilla Espanola (pg.129): a baked omelet with zucchini... Yukon Gold potatoes and Parmigiana-Reggiano cheese and sauce
Hand Pies (pgs.158-161): warm sausage and apple... chicken and kale... or Manchego cheese and cauliflower

Stylish Bites: new tasty "twists" to any favorite canape:

Deviled Eggs (pg178-181): spicing up the eggs with tomato-pimiento, dill, wasabi, garlic or even horseradish
Cucumber and Endive Salad Bites (pg186): Endive leaves or cucumber rounds topped with "flavorful" salad droplets
Pureed Vegetable Soups (pgs.218-221): served cold or hot these purees are satisfying yum (served with chicken-salad tartlets pg.223 is a delight for any book club)
Cherry Tomato BLTs (pg.225): perfect summer bites, just pop in your mouth and enjoy a burst of summer goodness

Cocktails (pgs.234-241): Yes please! Tumblers, Highballs, stemmed, or punches for any gathering

Are your taste buds tingling? So well organized. Filled with ingredients that are easily purchased. Not hard-on-your finances. And, perfected-user-friendly recipes that will inspire an every day cook. This book can be savored for years to come. It has the quality of a generational prize that will be cherished by those who love having their home filled with friends, family, special moments, good food, and unique gatherings of love.

An excellent gift for all occasions and holidays, don't resist purchasing this for yourself...
MrsK http://mrskbookstogo.blogspot.com/

[Virginia Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

An "appetizer" is defined as "a small portion of tasty food to stimulate the appetite". Yes, indeed. An "hors d'oeuvre" is noted as an appetizer served before a meal. Why, thank you--I will accept a nice sampler plate. "Martha Stewart's Appetizers: 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus 30 Cocktails" offers up tasty tidbits and tempting treats accompanied by lovely libations. This is a glorious graze-fest, done in "Martha Style", and it truly is a fabulous feast for foodies. It also introduced me to one of my new favorite food phrases: "substantial small plates". Oh, goodness! While the traditional image for appetizers and hors d'oeuvres is associated with cocktail parties and social gatherings, I will say that the foods and drinks featured in this book are also mighty appealing for times when you want something really good, but you don't want to cook a full meal. I am writing this review in the sultry days of late August here in the South, and a cold plate of assorted goodies with a nice cool drink seems like the perfect after-work supper. Divided into five sections of recipes--Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips--the book also offers rules and tips for party planning and hosting. Organization plus inspiration makes things easier for you and goes a long way to ensure a houseful of happy guests. You can't go wrong serving them delicious delights like these: "Summer Crudites with Green Goddess Dip"; "Cranberry Sparkler"; "Horseradish Deviled Eggs"; "Rosemary Cheese Straws"; "Plum Blossom"; "Mini Cheese Biscuits"; "Salty-Sweet Party Mix"; "Honey-Roasted Salted Figs"; "Gin and Grapefruit Fizzes"; "Turkey and Avocado Sliders"; "Sour Cherry Mojitos"; "Papaya, Mango, and Pineapple with Spiced Salt"; "Seasoned Potato Chips"; "Spiced Nuts"; "Seasoned Popcorn"; "Apple Cider Sangria"; and so much more. Contemporary cuisine has its own casual chic, and eclectic style can be an intriguing ice-breaker.

Review Copy Gratis Clarkson Potter Publishers via Blogging for Books

[Michelle Hankes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apps. Mmm...

Not the kind that you download to your phone and use to stare at all the gorgeous foods that you can make, like Pinterest.

No. Straight-up appetizers. Or appeteasers, as some might call them. Something to whet the appetite and get you going, wanting more.

We all know Martha Stewart as the queen of TV, home entertaining, and pretty much everything else crafty and delicious. She's a mega-queen. Some of her most ingenious ideas are simplistic and beautiful. Now, she has a team of experts helping her dream up the impossible. And this time, that team headed by the big Gouda herself, created a new book - all about appetizers.

From Snacks like broiled feta to Stylish Bites like mini quiches, Martha and her team have created more than 200 mouth-watering recipes that catch your eye and your desire to entertain. From family affairs to tailgating parties, this book has tips, techniques, simple instructions, and beautiful photos - all with recipes just waiting to be concocted. Simple, elegant, fast to prepare - this book has it all and will please even the most picky eater.

Some ideas to just get you started:

Pigs in Blankets - simple gourmet-style: puff pastry and sausages cut at an angle with mustard dipping sauces:
Hot Artichoke Dip - artichoke hearts, cheese, herbs, and more cheese:
Antipasto - a simple, yet elegant spread of all things Italian:
Chicken Wings - four different flavors complete with dipping sauces:
Mezze - a Mediterranean smattering of delicious spreads, whole grain salads, and dolmades:
and Deviled Eggs - the all-American ubiquitous version of finger food...seven different flavors.

And the list goes on...

...even cocktails.

A beautiful book with a delectable array of dishes, small plates, and tiny tastes. Fun for everyone!

**This book was given to me by Blogging for Books in exchange for an honest review. I chose to be honest because they can't really make me.

[Book in a Bar · Rating 5 out of 5]

No-Joke, No-Fuss Cocktails (and Laid-Back Eats) From Martha Stewart
Read the review at Book in a Bar

Over two-hundred recipes for bite-size eats, plus thirty cocktails? Girl’s still got it. Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is an organized, impeccably photographed catalog of the “new ‘casualness’ we are all witnessing in home entertaining.”

On that point, Appetizers nails it. The collection is divided into five parts: Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips. (Sips was our favorite ‘S.’) A good number of the recipes aim to elevate staples we keep on hand, like popcorn, nuts, and cheeses. Another set are appetizers that double as dinners (think sliders, pizzas, bruschetta, and meatballs). Throughout, there are simple no-cook options (Amen), as well as options for those who want to rev their mixer engines.

We, of course, are hooked on the Sips section which is organized not by main liquor ingredient, but by glassware. Anything you’d pour into a highball has its own smartly laid-out spread, and the same goes for stemmed glassware, tumblers, and pitchers of party-starting goodness.

Out of our test lab (read: home bar) came the Vodka and Pear Nectar Cocktail, a simple autumn sip garnished with a pear slice and rosemary sprig. It was a proud moment, mastering a Martha recipe under two minutes. Cheers, all around, to the new casualness Appetizers embraces. We could get used to this.

Book in a Bar received a copy of Martha Stewart’s Appetizers from Blogging for Books .

[C.E. Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mini quiches, meatballs, vegetable dips, and slow-baked cracker snacks! Mmm… There are so many delicious snacks in this book, and the illustrations are mouthwatering.

First of all, I was surprised on the thickness of this appetizer cookbook. It is a hardback with 256 pages and over 200 recipes for snacks and cocktails. Though you can get this in an ebook format, I recommend the physical book. The illustrations are beautiful and inspiring, the pages are glossy and thick, and the cover looks great on my kitchen shelf.

Martha Stewart’s Appetizers is comprised of 5 sections: Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips. Also, in the back of the book, is a section with recipe techniques and a handy index.

Of the dozen or so recipes I’ve tried, Buffalo Chicken Wings (pg. 124) is one of my favorites so far. The recipe is very simple, using basic ingredients, and the wings tastes delicious.

I also like several of the antipasto recipes in the Small Plates section. These are perfect for small lunch get-togethers—making it look as if I’ve spent more time preparing them than I actually did.

Overall, I really like Martha Stewart’s Appetizers, and plan to be more adventurous with some of the more detailed recipes. Just scanning the pages is enough to make my stomach grumble for grub! And the illustrations inspire me in plating and decorating.


Publisher: Clarkson Potter
Page Count: 256

BloggingForBooks has provided me a copy of this book in exchange for a review.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martha Stewart wows her fans once again with her updated Hors d’ Oeuvre’s book, Appetizers. With more than 200 recipes, Martha Stewart elevates the old style of entertaining, reflecting the casual approach in current social circles. It’s broken down into five simple sections of: starters, small plates, stylish bites, and sips of joy. Every avenue of entertaining is explored with full color pictures, make ahead tips and serving pairing guides. Whether your style is chicken wings and sliders, or the elevated flair of potatoes with caviar and crème fraiche, you can top off your party with spectacular sips in coordinating glassware, making any event memorable.

Embracing the change through the decades, from formal cocktail parties to the new relaxed environment of sharing good food with friends; Martha Stewart’s Appetizers guides anyone to prepare great food with delightful cocktails. Reinvent your own personal style while revisiting some of the older classic recipes and sample some of the new ones, opening the door to delicious bites and aromatic sippers. With the addition of notes, and serving suggestions, this truly is a one-stop book for entertaining.

*Review originally published with San Francisco Book Review literary review/ and Dixon Independent Voice Newspaper Column- For The Love of Books

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another amazing recipe collection from Martha (as usual). I love the layout of this book, and the section on small plates is fantastic. Recipes range from simple and quick to more involved but impressive tasty tidbits. Beautiful photography as always. I really enjoyed the variations on recipes, like the gougères for example: there's classic, mixed herb, lemon-parsley, bacon-cheddar and manchego-cumin. And many types of bacon-wrapped bites. Instructions are included on nearly everything for make ahead to save you exhausting time in the kitchen right before/during a party, and "serve with" suggestions. There's a cocktail section as well, organized by the type of glassware you serve it in, and also some punch recipes. Most of the drinks recipes are very new to me, which is really saying something (my husband is a former bartender and we have a nice collection of cocktail books). This is an excellent book and a great investment if you love to entertain or even just love finger food. I will definitely get a lot of use out of this book.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading through this book. The pictures are amazing each one looks so good you just want to eat it right off the page. The recipes themselves are all well written and everything is in easy to understand English. The recipes are so easy to follow that a chef with no prior knowledge could make most of these recipes without much difficulty. I personally greatly enjoyed making and tasting the spiced nuts recipe.

View my full review at: http://misty103.hubpages.com/hub/Mart...

I was sent this book, Martha Stewart's Appetizers 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus 30 Cocktails by Martha Stewart, for free from Blogging for Books in exchange only for my honest and unbiased review of Martha Stewart's Appetizers 200 Recipes for Dips, Spreads, Snacks, Small Plates, and Other Delicious Hors d'Oeuvres, Plus 30 Cocktails by Martha Stewart.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very thorough guide to appetizers and small bites and they all look super tasty. This book is broken up into five sections: Snacks, Starters, Small Plates, Stylish Bites, and Sips. I love the variety of recipes. This cookbook covers everything from small snacks for when guests first walk in the door to larger appetizers that can actually serve as a meal, to drinks to pair them with. The recipes range from ingredients you can simply throw together to more complicated apps. I really like the Stylish Bites section, it's perfect for when you want to show off a little bit. I can't wait to make the Summer Rolls, Watermelon Wedges with Feta and Mint, Bacon-Wrapped Bites, and Cranberry Sparklers. This is my first Martha Stewart book but it certainly won't be my last!

I received a copy of this book from Blogging for Books in exchnage for my honest review.

[Tina Culbertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can you go wrong with any Martha Stewart cookbook? I have several of her books at home on my overburdened book shelves. They are usually my go-to books when I need meal planning.

While I have made many of her dishes that go on our regular meal rotation menus I have not tried any of the appetizer recipes. This book is devoted to appies but some are so robust you could make a tapas type meal out of them.

These are mostly easy-to-toss-together party fare that have a big return on flavor. Over 200 recipes broken down by the following categories: pre-dinner bites, substantial small plates, special-occasion finger foods and quick snacks. There is even a section for drinks!

The Martha. Why can’t she run for president?

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a fan of food. I'm not the best cook, and I really like to have some kind of guideline to go by when I cook new meals. This book is fantastic!! A few of the items I would not ever make, but this book has me gearing up for the holiday season. Here are some of my favorites: stuffed mushrooms, salsas, cheese balls, pull apart lobster rolls, dumplings, multiple ideas for deviled eggs (who knew!?), and mini crab cakes. In the back of the book is also a selection for cocktails, the cranberry sparkler looks the most delicious to me. So if you need some delicious inspiration with delightful pictures-this is the book for you! It would also make a great gift!



"I received this book from Blogging for Books for free in exchange for an honest review".

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really surprised to love this book. The name Martha Stewart totally intimidated me. while I have not tried any of the recipes, I found them clear and easy to follow. I loved that each step was broken down into smaller easy to follow increments. As a novice cooker any cookbook that writes the whole recipe in one paragraph scares me! The pictures were incredible and made me want to try them. I always find recipes more enticing when I can see the finished product.We do appetizers for Christmas Eve and I'm sure I'll pull one from this book. I received a copy of this book as part of the blogging for books program.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

A 3 1/2 star review:

I love that there are pictures for each recipe because I like to see what the finished product looks like. The recipes are pretty easy to follow and make. Some of the shortcuts I am not a fan of. Ex: Seasoned Potato Chips- A bag of plain store bought potato chips that get seasoned and heated in the oven. Really... Why not buy flavored potato chips? There a lot of basic recipes and not a lot of NEW appetizer recipes, which is what I was hoping for.

If you are new to entertaining and cooking- then this book is for you. If you are an advanced cook, you will probably be disappointed with the simple recipes listed.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book, with a photo for every recipe. Most of these recipes are pretty basic - for Martha- but very solid. She offers several variations. I liked the progression, and it's well organized. I also thought the entertaining tips were helpful by telling you how much to prepare.

The end of the book also includes some drinks recipes, which are also solid. In all, this is kind of what we would expect from Martha - classy, helpful, but not breaking any boundaries or pushing the envelope too much.

If you entertain a lot, this might be worth checking out.

[Laurla2]

-a picture for every recipe!

--recipes I found interesting
-watermelon wedges with feta and mint
-crudites with green goddess dip
-caramelized onion and bacon dip
-pureed vegetable dips: cauliflower spinach dip, roasted beet dip, spiced carrot dip
-mini empanadas (baked): pork, or roasted shallot and date
-hand pies: sausage and apple, roasted cauliflower and manchego, chicken and kale (maybe spinach instead)
-dumplings: pork and chive pot stickers, soy ginger dipping sauce
-crepe roll ups: cucumber and dill, ham and fig jam

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this could have been so much better if the editors would have taken out the entire section of cocktails and used the space for more food recipes. The cocktail section did not seem to fit with the formatting of the rest of the book...each cocktail recipe should have had a list of ingredients, just like the food recipes; however, the reader had to search out the bold words in a paragraph, which made it clunky.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book filled with many fantastic recipes for appetizers, snacks, drinks and somewhat heavier fare (sliders, the genius lobster pull-apart rolls). I thought there were lots of fresh new ideas, along with old favorites, and nothing was too difficult, unlike the Martha of the past.
Recommended.