Baked Scallops in Olive, Sun Dried Tomato, and Basil Butter

These Baked Scallops in Olive, Sun Dried Tomato, and Basil Butter are about the easiest and foolproof way to prepare scallops.

Baking scallops in butter just brings out the sweetness of sea scallops.

Grilled Crostini Four Ways

Grilled crostini topped with four different toppings after toasting on the grill. This is fabulous as an appetizer or bread course for an outdoor party.

These grilled crostini have something for everyone. Two of the toppings require putting together a few ingredients, but they can be prepared in advance. The other two toppings require very little preparation, and help round out your appetizer platter.

Tutmanik | Bulgarian Cheese Bread

This bread is tutmanik. It's an amazingly delicious cheese bread from Bulgaria. Filled with feta and herbs and brushed with layers of melted butter, this bread is so tempting and flavorful.

Tutmanik, also known as Tootmanik s Gotovo Testo (with pre-made dough) or mesentiza, can be shaped simply, in layers, as I have here, or in fanciful and flowery shapes.

Smoked Gouda Cheese Spread

This Smoked Gouda Cheese Spread is a wonderful appetizer spread on crackers, mini toasts, and crudités. It's perfect for cocktail and bowl game parties. 

I love this Smoked Gouda Cheese Spread on garlic melba toast or Carr's Table Water Crackers, but any good cracker will do.