These hot and cold appetizers have four things in common:
- they’re Greek favorites,
- they’re delicious,
- prep time is 15 minutes or less, and
- (if hot) combined prep/cook time is 30 minutes or less.
1. A Slice of Feta
This is the ultimate Greek touch to any table, whether you’re serving appetizers or a full meal. Total prep/cooking time: 2 minutes
2. Batter-fried Zucchini Strips
These fried zucchini are delicious! Soda water in the batter makes them delightfully airy and crunchy. Total cook/prep time: 25 minutes.
3. Dakos: Rusks with Tomatoes and Cheese
Almost too quick and easy to be called a “recipe,” the dakos is a signature dish on the Greek island of Crete, and is a favorite served with drinks – from beer to raki to wine. No rusks? Try it with grilled bread. Total prep/cook time: 5 minutes.
4. Olive Tapenade (Spread)
A quick blender recipe made with black or green Greek olives, this tapenade brings a tart taste to the selection of appetizers. Total prep/cook time: 15 minutes.
5. Roasted Greek Cheese
Every appetizer selection needs a warm, gooey cheese addition – at least in Greece, and here’s a classic. Total prep/cook time: 20 minutes.
6. Hot Pepper Cheese Dip
Use mild to hot peppers depending on your preference to add the right touch of heat to your appetizers. Total prep/cook time: 15 minutes.
7. Saganki: Fried Greek Cheese
We do love our cheeses, and this dish is one of the most famous made in Greece. If you’re brave, add 2 tablespoons of brandy and flambé it just before serving. Total prep/cook time: 25 minutes.
8. Spicy Stuffed Peppers with Feta Cheese
Bull’s horn peppers (long, light green, mild) are stuffed with a mixture of feta cheese and finely chopped hot peppers, then roasted or grilled. This is a quick and easy recipe to make, and a delicious appetizer or meze for holiday entertaining. Total prep/cook time: 30 minutes
9. Tzatziki: Yogurt, Cucumber, and Garlic Dip or Spread
The most well-known of Greek appetizers, tzatziki is great as a dip with pita bread, fresh veggies, or crackers, or just eaten to accompany other foods. Total prep/cook time: 15 minutes.The classic latholemono sauce (whisked up in a flash) gives boiled shrimp an authentic Greek touch – and fabulous taste. If you start with shrimp that have already been boiled: Total prep/cook time: 10 minutes. If not, total time comes to 30 minutes (including 5 minutes to boil).
10. Greek Boiled Shrimp with Latholemono
The classic latholemono sauce (whisked up in a flash) gives boiled shrimp an 
authentic Greek touch – and fabulous taste. If you start with shrimp that have already been boiled: Total prep/cook time: 10 minutes. If not, total time comes to 30 minutes (including 5 minutes to boil).
