A backyard BBQ is a great way to enjoy a beautiful summer day, especially when the food spread is delicious. When thinking about what to serve, it all starts with the appetizers.

This summer, impress your loved ones at BBQs with mouth-watering appetizers that they won’t be able to resist. Here are four easy recipes that you can make in no time and that are sure to please the taste buds.

Greek Salad Skewers

Let’s start with the most straightforward option. Simple but satisfying, these skewers offer a bite of Greek salad on a stick and couldn’t be easier to put together.

Ingredients:
• 12 cubes feta cheese
• 12 cherry tomatoes
• 12 pitted olives
• 12 cucumber cubes
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 smashed garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon chopped dill
• 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Sea salt
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Combine feta, lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, dill, and parsley in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper, toss, and let sit for 10-15 minutes.

2. Assemble 12 skewers by layering cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, and feta.

Grilled Shrimp Skewers

Sticking with the skewer theme, these grilled shrimp skewers offer a burst of Mediterranean flavour with each bite.

Ingredients:
• 2 lbs. peeled and deveined shrimp
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Zest of 2 lemons
• Salt

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients (except shrimp and salt) in a small bowl to make the marinade. Set aside two teaspoons for later.

2. Pat shrimp dry and sprinkle with salt. Toss with marinade in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

3. Assemble skewers by placing four large shrimp on each.

4. Cook skewers on the grill for 3 minutes per side.

5. Transfer to a serving platter and pour the remaining marinade overtop.

Vegetable Summer Rolls

Rice paper vegetable rolls are a fresh and light appetizer perfect for the summer. They go great with peanut sauce or sweet chilli sauce.

Ingredients:
• 8 sheets rice paper
• 2 ounces vermicelli noodles
• 1 cup butter lettuce with ribs removed
• 1 cup sliced red cabbage
• 2 carrots cut into matchsticks
• 1 cucumber thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro
• Sea salt

Instructions:

1. Soak noodles in boiling water until soft. Drain and pat dry with paper towel.

2. Soak rice paper in warm water until soft. Transfer to paper towel.

3. Divide filling ingredients into 8 portions and fold into rice paper to make the rolls.

Crab Cakes

Crab cakes might seem intimidating, but you can whip them up in just 30 minutes! Impress with your culinary prowess by offering them at the next cookout.

Ingredients:
• 1 lb. crab meat
• 1/3 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
• 1 large beaten egg
• 3/4 cup panko
• 2 tablespoon chopped parsley
• Tartar sauce
• Canola oil
• Salt
• Ground black pepper

Instructions:

1. Whisk together egg, Dijon mustard, mayo, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

2. In a medium bowl, combine crab meat, panko, and parsley. Stir in mayo mixture and divide into 8 portions.

3. Coat a large skillet with oil and heat to medium-high. Cook crab cakes for about 4 minutes per side.

4. Serve with tartar sauce.

Good food always makes for a good time, no matter the occasion. This summer, treat your friends and family to some tasty appetizers that they won’t soon forget.