Warning! You'll want to host a party every night after making these four simple party appetizers. Not only are they quick and easy, but they won't take up precious oven space. These small bites will impress guests and without spoiling their appetite for the main course. Buon Appetito!

1. Sweet Goat Cheese Truffle Bites

These sophisticated snacks are sweet and savory, making it the perfect beginning to any Italian meal. Meyer lemons are sweeter, less acidic and more aromatic than regular lemons. They are best and in season October - May, but you can always substitute with regular lemon zest if Meyer lemons are unavailable.


Step 1: Zest 1 tablespoon Meyer lemon.	Step 2: Mash goat cheese and zest until blended.

Step 3: Top crackers with cheese mixture.	Step 4: Place on serving tray and drizzle with truffle honey.

View Sweet Goat Cheese Bites Recipe

2. Marinated Mozzarella Antipasto

If you can’t find chili pesto, or prefer less spice, feel free to use any tomato pesto (add a pinch of red pepper chili flakes for heat.) This versatile dish would work with any pesto of your choice. The best part is, it can be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator to marinate, remember to remove it 20 minutes before serving. Give it a gentle toss with a wooden spoon to loosen the pesto and oil. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with fresh chiffonade (thinly sliced) basil sprinkled on top.


Step 1: Chop garlic and chiffonade (thinly slice) basil.	Step 2: Gently toss ingredients.

Step 3: Marinate for 20 - 30 minutes in the refrigerator.	Step 4: Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before serving and gently toss to coat.

View Marinated Mozzarella Antipasto Recipe

3. Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

This traditional Italian appetizer features Tuscan cantaloupes, but any melon will work. Tuscan melons originated in Italy and are extra sweet compared to regular cantaloupes. Select melons that are heavy for their size with a sweet, fruity fragrance and thick well-raised netting on the skin. Prosciutto wrapped melon has the perfect ratio of salty and sweet flavors to tempt your taste buds.


Step 1: Remove top and bottom of melon.	Step 2: Remove skin, cut in half, and scrape out all seeds. Then, slice into half-moon shapes.

Step 3: Wrap each melon slice with prosciutto and secure with a toothpick.	Step 4: Transfer to a serving tray, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with fresh mint.

View Prosciutto Wrapped Melon Recipe

4. Ravioli Fritti

Make extra batches, because these will be the hit of the party! Keep extras in a warm oven until ready for serving. Serve with your favorite assortment of Italian marinara, pesto or dipping sauces. Safety Tip: Allow the ravioli to defrost before battering and frying (ice crystals can cause an explosion when touching hot oil).


Step 1: Fully thaw frozen ravioli and heat oil in Dutch oven.	Step 2: Dunk each ravioli in egg/buttermilk mixture and Italian seasoned breadcrumbs.

Step 3: Fry ravioli in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch.	Step 4: Keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. Garnish with grated Parmesan.

View Ravioli Fritti Recipe

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