Starter

The texture of shrimp cooked in the Instant Pot is such a pleasant surprise: You’d think the shrimp might be tough or mushy, but it’s firm, tender, and briny.

Cooking ribs under pressure means they get incredibly tender without falling apart or shredding—in a fraction of the time as braising and with no attention needed.

The ingredients of this classic Portuguese soup (namely chorizo, kale, and potatoes) meld beautifully under pressure, so you only need water—no stock—to get a savory, rich broth.

This is a spin on a recipe I created for my cooking show, Patricia Heaton Parties. I love the combination of hot, juicy shrimp with a crispy coating and a zingy dipping sauce. Delish.

The ultimate date-night first course: eat it with a knife and fork or eat it with your hands. Either way it’s more fun if you share it off the same plate.

The secret to making a smooth, light, fluffy dip is to use warm just-cooked chickpeas. And the Instant Pot makes that easy.

These Thai-inspired clams are salty, tangy, and rich from the coconut milk.

This perfect Super Bowl starter combines so many satisfying layers of flavor and is easily eaten with one hand while holding a beer in the other.

Grilled medium or medium rare, the delicious meat pulls from the built-in skewer (aka the bones), and you salivate even more as you chew.

This brothy ginger, soy, and chile–scented Asian chicken soup is bound to make anyone feel 110% better.

Pull-apart bread is the very definition of fun. Just plop it down in front of a table of people and watch it disappear within 2.4 seconds. It really is that good, and can pass as an appetizer or accompaniment to a pot of soup.

A simple pie with a biscuit-like, no-roll crust that is incredibly versatile.

This take on the retro classic is a fun way to start a holiday dinner party. The recipe makes more Louie dressing than you think you might need—but that's a good thing.

Forget dip: this zesty spiced salt wakes up any sliced raw fruit or veggie—don’t feel limited to the ones listed in the recipe.

This Caesar salad–update makes more vinaigrette than you’ll need, and that’s not an accident. Once you taste it, you’ll want a jarful in your fridge at all times.

This pickled shrimp recipe is perfect for a special occasion—perhaps as one part of an hors d'oeuvres spread at Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year's Eve. The tangy pickled shrimp can be prepared in 45 minutes or less, though they require a bit of additional unattended time.

Packed with flavor from curry powder and fresh ginger, this fragrant soup is wonderfully filling, but won’t weigh you down.

Store-bought tubes of polenta are the ultimate appetizer shortcut: just slice and toast in the oven, top with wild mushrooms and Fontina, then bake until melty and irresistible.