Shabbat Appetizers
A festive appetizer helps to differentiate a Jewish Sabbath meal from a weekday family meal. Start your next Sabbath with these favorite Shabbat appetizers.
Top Appetizers for Sabbath Meals
A festive appetizer helps to differentiate a Sabbath meal from a weekday family meal. Each of these kosher hors d'oeuvres is parve so it can be served with a meat or dairy meal. Enjoy these favorite Jewish holiday and Shabbat first courses.
A festive appetizer helps to differentiate a Sabbath meal from a weekday family meal. Each of these kosher hors d'oeuvres is parve so it can be served with a meat or dairy meal. Enjoy these favorite Jewish holiday and Shabbat first courses.
Artichokes with Mayonnaise-Mustard Dip (Parve)
Artichokes make a wonderful first course, especially for the Sabbath lunch meal. Children love to pull off one leaf at a time until they get to the heart of the artichoke. What a fun and healthy way to start a family meal together!
Artichokes make a wonderful first course, especially for the Sabbath lunch meal. Children love to pull off one leaf at a time until they get to the heart of the artichoke. What a fun and healthy way to start a family meal together!
Caponata (Parve)
Caponata, a southern Italian stew consisting primarily of eggplant and bell peppers, makes a wonderful kosher parve appetizer. Serve this versatile vegetable concoction at room temperature with toasted bread or crackers, on a bed of lettuce, or in a scooped out tomato. Given caponata is a medley of vegetables, there is lots of room to customize the dish according to your personal taste.
Caponata, a southern Italian stew consisting primarily of eggplant and bell peppers, makes a wonderful kosher parve appetizer. Serve this versatile vegetable concoction at room temperature with toasted bread or crackers, on a bed of lettuce, or in a scooped out tomato. Given caponata is a medley of vegetables, there is lots of room to customize the dish according to your personal taste.
Chef's Salad (Meat)
The classic Chef's Salad recipe, which includes meat and cheese, is not kosher. Fortunately Susie Fishbein has created a kosher recipe for Chef's Salad. Susie's Kosher Chef's Salad taste wonderful, and it makes the perfect appetizer for a Sabbath meal. Mix the salad right before the meal and serve portions on individual plates. Easy, delicious and kosher!
The classic Chef's Salad recipe, which includes meat and cheese, is not kosher. Fortunately Susie Fishbein has created a kosher recipe for Chef's Salad. Susie's Kosher Chef's Salad taste wonderful, and it makes the perfect appetizer for a Sabbath meal. Mix the salad right before the meal and serve portions on individual plates. Easy, delicious and kosher!
Classic Gefilte Fish (Parve)
At the time of the Mishna (200 CE), rabbis deemed it meritorious to eat fish on the Sabbath. Due to the plethora of rivers in Europe, Ashkenazi Jews tended to cook with freshwater fish. Eastern European Jews would make a mixture of chopped fish, stuff it back into the skin of the fish, and boil it. The word gefilte means stuffed in Yiddish.
At the time of the Mishna (200 CE), rabbis deemed it meritorious to eat fish on the Sabbath. Due to the plethora of rivers in Europe, Ashkenazi Jews tended to cook with freshwater fish. Eastern European Jews would make a mixture of chopped fish, stuff it back into the skin of the fish, and boil it. The word gefilte means stuffed in Yiddish.
Cold Tomato Soup Appetizer for Shabbat Lunch (Parve)
This is a really easy, versatile soup that can be served hot or cold. I usually serve this cold for starters for a Shabbat lunch. I don't think I have ever served this soup and not been asked for the recipe!
This is a really easy, versatile soup that can be served hot or cold. I usually serve this cold for starters for a Shabbat lunch. I don't think I have ever served this soup and not been asked for the recipe!
Deli Roll (Meat)
I was served this Deli Roll for a Shabbat appetizer at a friend's house, and I immediately knew the recipe was destined for this Kosher Food site. Everyone, including the kids, loved the look and taste of this easy to prepare first course.
I was served this Deli Roll for a Shabbat appetizer at a friend's house, and I immediately knew the recipe was destined for this Kosher Food site. Everyone, including the kids, loved the look and taste of this easy to prepare first course.
Egg Salad (Parve)
My sister-in-law, with her six children and job as a Realtor, doesn't have much time to cook. But she is neighborhood-renown for her egg salad and tuna salad. Her fridge is always stocked with these salads, so her kids can easily make themselves sandwiches. Her egg salad recipe proves, once again, that sometimes simple is best.
My sister-in-law, with her six children and job as a Realtor, doesn't have much time to cook. But she is neighborhood-renown for her egg salad and tuna salad. Her fridge is always stocked with these salads, so her kids can easily make themselves sandwiches. Her egg salad recipe proves, once again, that sometimes simple is best.
Israeli Hummus (Parve)
Hummus, made from garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chickpeas), is served as an appetizer, side dish or main course in Israel. Today grocery stores in Israel sell a variety of Hummus spreads (with pine nuts, with olive oil and paprika, with zaatar, with tahina...). Hummus tastes best when scooped up by a piece of warm Pita bread.
Hummus, made from garbanzo beans (a.k.a. chickpeas), is served as an appetizer, side dish or main course in Israel. Today grocery stores in Israel sell a variety of Hummus spreads (with pine nuts, with olive oil and paprika, with zaatar, with tahina...). Hummus tastes best when scooped up by a piece of warm Pita bread.
Matboucha (Parve)
Matboucha is a traditional Moroccan cooked tomato and bell pepper salad. It is so popular in Israel that it can be found right next to the Hummus on Israeli grocery store shelves. Once you make it yourself, you won't want to settle for store-bought Matboucha anymore. While Matboucha can be served hot or cold, I like it best cold on a cracker or fresh pita.
Matboucha is a traditional Moroccan cooked tomato and bell pepper salad. It is so popular in Israel that it can be found right next to the Hummus on Israeli grocery store shelves. Once you make it yourself, you won't want to settle for store-bought Matboucha anymore. While Matboucha can be served hot or cold, I like it best cold on a cracker or fresh pita.
Mushroom Blintzes (Parve)
These Mushroom Blintzes are my favorite Friday night appetizer. I make a large batch, and then store them in the freezer. When Friday night rolls around, I have delicious and festive appetizer that can be easily defrosted, heated and served.
These Mushroom Blintzes are my favorite Friday night appetizer. I make a large batch, and then store them in the freezer. When Friday night rolls around, I have delicious and festive appetizer that can be easily defrosted, heated and served.
Oven Baked Meatballs (Meat)
These meatballs are baked in the oven, so they are quick and easy to prepare. My sister serves these meatballs as a Shabbat lunch appetizer. Thus the kids eat something filling and nutritious at the beginning of the meal, and you don't have to worry about calling them back to the table when they are busy playing!
These meatballs are baked in the oven, so they are quick and easy to prepare. My sister serves these meatballs as a Shabbat lunch appetizer. Thus the kids eat something filling and nutritious at the beginning of the meal, and you don't have to worry about calling them back to the table when they are busy playing!
Spinach Tidbits (Dairy)
Jamie Geller, author of Quick and Kosher Recipes from the Bride Who Knew Nothing, contributed this recipe for Spinach Tidbits. Serve these dairy appetizers to your Hanukkah guests before lighting the Menorah. They can be prepared and frozen a week in advance to minimize pre-party preparations.
Jamie Geller, author of Quick and Kosher Recipes from the Bride Who Knew Nothing, contributed this recipe for Spinach Tidbits. Serve these dairy appetizers to your Hanukkah guests before lighting the Menorah. They can be prepared and frozen a week in advance to minimize pre-party preparations.
Sun-Dried Tomato Spread (Parve)
The local cooking store was offering an Italian cooking class one evening, and my wife and I decided to join in the fun. In addition to the fun, we came home with this delicious and easy recipe for Sun-Dried Tomato Spread. Serve with focaccia, pita, toasted bread or crackers.
The local cooking store was offering an Italian cooking class one evening, and my wife and I decided to join in the fun. In addition to the fun, we came home with this delicious and easy recipe for Sun-Dried Tomato Spread. Serve with focaccia, pita, toasted bread or crackers.
Tabbouleh Salad (Parve)
Tabbouleh Salad, a combination of bulgar wheat, vegetables and herbs, is a light, tangy and refreshing salad that is especially popular in the homes of Sephardic Jews. For a Sabbath appetizer, serve Tabbouleh on individual plates on top of a piece of lettuce. For a summer cookout, serve Tabbouleh Salad as a side dish next to Shish Kebabs.
Tabbouleh Salad, a combination of bulgar wheat, vegetables and herbs, is a light, tangy and refreshing salad that is especially popular in the homes of Sephardic Jews. For a Sabbath appetizer, serve Tabbouleh on individual plates on top of a piece of lettuce. For a summer cookout, serve Tabbouleh Salad as a side dish next to Shish Kebabs.
Tapenade Olive Spread (Parve)
Tapenade is a rich olive spread that originated in the Provence region of France. The classic Tapenade is a paste of black olives, capers, olive oil and spices, but today many types of Tapenade can be found. This Tapenade is my favorite because it includes roasted red peppers.
Tapenade is a rich olive spread that originated in the Provence region of France. The classic Tapenade is a paste of black olives, capers, olive oil and spices, but today many types of Tapenade can be found. This Tapenade is my favorite because it includes roasted red peppers.
Tuna Mousse (Parve)
This Tuna Mousse is a great Shabbat appetizer as it looks so appetizing when made in a pretty mold. As this recipe freezes really well, I suggest preparing it ahead of time so you have less cooking to do right before the festive meal.
This Tuna Mousse is a great Shabbat appetizer as it looks so appetizing when made in a pretty mold. As this recipe freezes really well, I suggest preparing it ahead of time so you have less cooking to do right before the festive meal.
Tuna Salad (Parve)
My sister-in-law, with her six children and job as a Realtor, doesn't have much time to cook. But she is neighborhood-renown for her egg salad and tuna salad. Her fridge is always stocked with these salads, so her kids can easily make themselves sandwiches. Her tuna salad recipe proves, once again, that sometimes simple is best.
My sister-in-law, with her six children and job as a Realtor, doesn't have much time to cook. But she is neighborhood-renown for her egg salad and tuna salad. Her fridge is always stocked with these salads, so her kids can easily make themselves sandwiches. Her tuna salad recipe proves, once again, that sometimes simple is best.
Vegetarian Chopped Liver (Parve)
Vegetarian Chopped Liver is very frequently served as a Sabbath appetizer in Ashkenazi homes. There are many versions of pareve chopped liver, but this one made of onions, peas, beans, nuts and hard-boiled eggs is one of the most popular. Vegetarian chopped liver is lighter and healthier than real chopped chicken livers, but the taste is quite similar.
Vegetarian Chopped Liver is very frequently served as a Sabbath appetizer in Ashkenazi homes. There are many versions of pareve chopped liver, but this one made of onions, peas, beans, nuts and hard-boiled eggs is one of the most popular. Vegetarian chopped liver is lighter and healthier than real chopped chicken livers, but the taste is quite similar.
Yogurt Fruit Soup (Dairy)
I was served a wonderfully refreshing, lite, healthy and tasty appetizer for lunch on Shabbat. Yogurt Fruit Soup. The best part was that my kids really liked it too!
I was served a wonderfully refreshing, lite, healthy and tasty appetizer for lunch on Shabbat. Yogurt Fruit Soup. The best part was that my kids really liked it too!