• The Best Cheese Wafers

  Techniques: covering sticky dough with wax paper for rolling

• Bruschetta with Basil-Marinated Tomatoes

  Techniques: salting tomatoes to draw out juices and concentrate flavor/roasting garlic

• Fresh Salsa with Avocado

  Techniques: salting tomatoes to draw out juices and concentrate flavor/tossing avocado with citrus juice to prevent discoloration

• Beer-Steamed Shrimp with Romescu Sauce

  Technique: steaming/toasting nuts

Appetizers should be just that—appetizing and irresistible, honing the appetite to a sharp edge in anticipation of what’s to follow. The flavors need to be bold and clean, carrying their own weight, especially if paired with wine or a selection of more serious cocktails. The advantage of the beginning of a dinner party is that appetites are eager, so the first tastes always seem to be the most delicious. The danger? Too much of a good thing—the trick is to perk up the appetite without deadening it. Ubiquitous cheese and crackers are indeed an easy beginning, but are likely to fill you up prematurely, dulling the senses to anything that follows.