I dream about this eggplant parm. It is everything I want in the dish -- creamy, cheesy, savory, rich, comforting, homey perfection.

We successfully fed 25 guests on $250, cooking up an array of tasty hors d’oeuvres. I mean, who doesn’t love appies? They’re usually the best part of the meal anyway. Plus, they’re perfect for large parties. They’re unassuming, filling, and allow people to mill around and chat while noshing on bite-sized bits of delicious.