The winter holidays--and the feasting and boozing thus required--are fast approaching. Make your next get-together memorable with a few of these addictive appetizers developed by the Bon Appetit Test Kitchen. Add some pretty plates and a little candlelight and music, and people will think you've been slaving all day.
RECIPES
Garnish each drink with an orange peel twist, if desired.
Start this one day ahead. Garnish the terrine with dill sprigs, capers, and red onion, if desired.
Remember that old favorite, the warm spinach and artichoke dip? This updated version gets a punch of flavor from olives and creaminess from herbed, spreadable cheese.
Pancetta (an Italian bacon that's sold at many supermarkets and at Italian markets) takes the place of bread in these salty, creamy, sweet little bites.
Find amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur, at liquor stores.
Look for ground chipotle chiles in the spice section of the supermarket.
DECOR
Instant celebration: Make a party playlist, and then hook up your iPod to these sleek white speakers. Ceramic speakers with amplifier ($495) by Joey Roth from Horne; shophorne.com
These clever cotton-mix napkins are designed to make a party faux pas seem intentional. Wine ring cocktail napkins ($26 for set of four) by Avril Loreti from Supermarket; supermarkethq.com
Silk-screened shot glasses from Italy also work as pretty miniature vases. Vodka glasses ($20 each) by Paola Navone and Egizia from TableArt; tableartonline.com for stores
These quirky resin and marble candlesticks will light up any room. "Distortion" candlesticks ($24 each) by Paul Loebach from Areaware; areaware.com
Chic pastel dessert spoons made of partially glazed china are great for single-bite hors d'oeuvres. "Mix Spoon Set" ($24 for set of five) by Chi-Wing Lee from MoMA; momastore.org
Vintage botanical prints in brown and 24-karat gold give these little plates (perfect for appetizers) a little glitz. "Floriography" dessert plates ($40 for set of four 8-inch plates) from Rosanna; rosannainc.com