Appetizers are an important part of any meal. They set the tone for the rest of the meal and are the first thing people eat. One of the best parts about appetizers is that they can be as simple or complex as one wants them to be. An individual can make just about anything into an appetizer by adding one’s own spin to it. They're also a great way to use leftovers or create something special from scratch. Plus, they're great for entertaining because they can be made ahead of time and kept warm in the oven if necessary. A good appetizer is a special culinary item and it’s great when you get to create that moment. This article will look at some delicious ideas for appetizer recipes to try out. 

Chicken Satay Skewers

Chicken satay skewers are an easy way to make your favorite Thai dish at home. Perfect for game day, parties or a weeknight dinner! The marinade for this chicken is so delicious and flavorful you won't believe how easy it is to make! Satay is a popular Southeast Asian dish made with marinated meat (usually chicken) that is grilled on a skewer. The term satay comes from the Indonesian word satai meaning “to grill” or “to broil”. Satay can be served as appetizers or as main dishes, usually over rice and with peanut sauce and cucumber salad on the side. 

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1/2 tablespoon honey or brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (or 2 cloves minced garlic)
• 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces.

Serve these chicken skewers with peanut sauce for an Asian-inspired meal. It's also great served with a side of rice or noodles. To make this dish even easier to prepare, one can substitute store-bought satay sauce for the homemade version. If a person decides to make their own satay sauce, they can use it as a dipping sauce for other grilled meats or seafood.

Pimento Cheese Bites

Here we have another delicious appetizer. These pimento bites will likely become a home family favorite real fast. 

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup pimento cheese, room temperature or slightly softened
• 1 package of the refrigerated dough sheet
• Cooking spray, for pan

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Line a 12-count muffin tin with 6 large circles of crescent dough. Press each circle into the bottom and up sides of each muffin cup. Bake for 8 minutes until golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool while preparing the filling. In a small bowl, stir pimento cheese and hot sauce to taste; set aside.Spread 2 tablespoons of the pimento cheese mixture into each prepared crescent crust, leaving a border around the edge to seal them shut when baked. Bake for an additional 10 minutes until golden brown. Cool in pan for 5 minutes before removing from pan and serving warm with crackers or veggies!

Buffalo Chicken Dip and Bacon Crackers

Buffalo chicken dip is a quick and easy appetizer that everyone will love. This delicious buffalo chicken dip recipe is perfect for game days, parties, and get-togethers! On the other hand, crackers are a great way to use up leftover bacon. They're crunchy, salty, and delicious.

Ingredients for buffalo chicken dip:

• 1 (8 oz.) package of cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup ranch dressing (or blue cheese dressing)
• 3/4 cup red hot Sauce or buffalo wing sauce (mild, medium, or hot)
• 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
• 1 cup chopped celery

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine all ingredients except for the celery. Pour mixture into an 8x8 baking dish sprayed with cooking spray and sprinkle celery over the mixture (it will float on top). Bake for 20 minutes until the edges are bubbly and the center is set but not browned anymore than that! Serve warm with tortilla chips! Enjoy!

For the bacon crackers,

• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed but still cold
• 1 piece of bacon, cooked and crumbled (about 2 tablespoons)
• 1 egg yolk beaten with 1 tablespoon water

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll the puff pastry very thin. Cut the dough into 1-inch squares and place them on the prepared baking sheet about 1/2 inch apart. Brush each square with egg wash and sprinkle with bacon crumbles. Bake until golden brown and puffed about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool before serving.