Easy and delicious appetizers will delight your guests

Quick and tasty appetizers can make entertaining a breeze. Here are some suggestions for welcoming in the new year with style and ease.

Bruschetta

• Ingredients:

Fresh baguette

1 to 2 garlic cloves, cut

Olive oil for brushing

Ripe Roma tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

6 large fresh basil leaves, chopped

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar

Kosher salt and ground pepper

½ cup shredded Parmesan cheese

Whole basil leaves, for garnish

• Instructions:

Cut baguette in ½-inch-thick slices; rub with cut garlic cloves and brush with olive oil; toast, grill or broil lightly. Mix together Roma tomatoes, minced garlic, chopped basil, ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Top baguette slices with tomato-basil mixture and shredded Parmesan. Garnish with whole basil leaves.

This recipe is from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader.

Parmesan flatbread

• Ingredients:

Flatbread

Extra virgin olive oil or melted butter

Minced garlic

Parmesan cheese, grated or shredded

Cracked black pepper

Kosher salt

Black and white sesame seeds

• Instructions:

Cut flatbread into squares, triangles or strips. Brush with olive oil or butter. Top with garlic, Parmesan, pepper, salt and sesame seeds. Toast in oven until golden-brown.

This recipe is from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader.

Marinated tortellini skewers

• Ingredients:

1 package tortellini

Hard salami, cubed

Kalamata olives

Fresh mozzarella balls

Grape tomatoes

Bottled Italian dressing

• Instructions:

Cook tortellini al dente according to package directions. Set aside to cool. On a skewer, place piece of tortellini, cube of hard salami, olive, mozzarella ball and grape tomato. Finish with another tortellini. Repeat to make as many skewers as needed. Marinate skewers in Italian dressing overnight. Before serving, drain skewers. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

This recipe is from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader.

Brie praline cups

• Ingredients:

Brie cheese, cut into cubes

Whole pecans

Miniature phyllo cups

Commercial praline sauce

• Instructions:

Place cube of brie and pecan into each phyllo cup, and drizzle with praline sauce. Bake at 350 degrees until brie begins to melt, about five minutes. Remove from oven and serve warm or at room temperature.

This recipe is from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader.

Swedish nuts

• Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1 cup sugar

Pinch salt

¼ cup melted margarine

1 pound pecans

• Instructions:

In medium mixing bowl, beat egg whites until stiff. Gradually fold in sugar and salt. In separate bowl, pour melted margarine over pecans and stir. Fold egg whites into nuts. Spread mixture on cookie sheet and bake at 325 degrees for about 45 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from oven and allow to cool before serving.

This recipe is from the Lexington (Kentucky) Herald-Leader.