Labor Day Appetizer Recipes

A delicious and easy appetizer. The balsamic vinegar gives it a little bite. Dried basil can be substituted but it is best with fresh.

This is a Texas recipe I've developed and refined over many years. It's very fast, easy, and I usually have everything on hand. I often give it as gifts to my family back East.

This is a recipe I just throw together, but it is very popular. Serve with tortilla chips.

Best poppers you'll have off your grill! Any left over cheese mixture makes a good spread for crackers while you're waiting.

The way the tangy, slightly salty goat cheese works with the syrupy, balsamic-coated strawberries and crispy, charred bread is a thing of beauty.

Yowzers! Sweet and hot salsa with tangy mangoes and habaneros. Great with pork, chicken or fish or just with chips. You can omit the habaneros and add red bell peppers for a non-spicy version, but then again, why would you want to? Remember, ALWAYS wear gloves when working with habaneros!

This creamy fruit dip has only three ingredients. If you want a simple dip that's the perfect complement to fruit, especially strawberries, please try this one.

Lime and tequila-marinated shrimp grilled on skewers make an easy appetizer to enjoy all summer.

This recipe was handed down to me from my Grandma. Little mushrooms are marinated in a zesty mixture. They're great for buffet style gatherings. They keep well for a long time in the fridge, or you may can them in mason jars and store in cupboard.

This is a great party dip because it's best served at room temperature. You can set it out on the table early and finish cooking the rest of your meal.

This is a delicious homemade salsa.

Cucumber and avocado sushi! These rolls are easy to make and you can add either fake crab or smoked salmon. Serve with teriyaki or soy sauce and wasabi!

This is a great garlicky bruschetta recipe. Serve it on slices of French bread. It's a wonderful accompaniment to tomato pastas.

This great dip is always the first to go at our barbeques. It's a simple guacamole, perfect for dipping tortilla chips or serving with tacos. To prevent browning, leave an avocado seed in it until serving.

A great way to serve tomato mozzarella salad. Great presentation; always a hit! You can find the bite-sized mozzarella ('Bocconcini') at most supermarkets. If they are on the larger side, cut them in half.

This recipe is bursting with flavor! It is fresh and spicy, and did I mention easy? This is the closest thing to restaurant style salsa you will find. The jalapenos and hot pepper sauce (e.g., Tabasco) add spice to the mix and the cilantro, lime juice, and green onions create freshness.

Delicious dill pickles that are battered then fried. This recipe also works well with other pickled vegetables, like pickled peppers.

Don't know what to do with those stale bagels? Make them into crispy, salty snacks! These bagel chips are heavy on the garlic and the real Parmesan cheese and Italian herbs give them a hearty flavor for satisfying snacking.

A zippy change to the usual garlic bread that will surely be your favorite ever!

A great way to use all those cucumbers you get from your plants! A little zing from the jalapeno and a burst of lime add a fresh taste to cucumbers in this refreshing fresh salsa.

Fun way to eat asparagus! Have the kids help out while making them, and they will enjoy them even more!

This salsa is quick and easy to make. It's colorful and most important, it's delicious! Whenever I take it to a party, I bring the recipe along because I'm always asked for it. Serve with tortilla chips; colored ones are fun!

Lime juice combined with avocados and corn make this yummy salsa go well with plain tortilla chips or with grilled chicken. Make just before serving for the best flavor and texture.

This is a very simple recipe. I hope you enjoy it as much as my family does.