Veggie wraps – Spread a whole grain tortilla with your favorite dressing or mayo/yogurt combo and fill with lunch meat, baby spinach, or other favorite fillings. Roll up and cut into bite-sized pieces; secure each piece with a toothpick.
Fruit platter – Include a variety of bite-sized fruits and a sweet dip, such as plain yogurt flavored with honey, or ½ cup mayonnaise mixed with 8 oz. flavored yogurt.
Veggie tray – Arrange different veggies cut into a variety of shapes (carrots cut on the diagonal with a wavy cutter, yellow squash cut into broad matchsticks, cucumbers cut into rounds, broccoli cut into small florets, grape or cherry tomatoes as-is, etc.). Serve with your favorite dip.
Cranberry meatballs – Bite-sized mini-meatballs in a sauce of whole cranberry sauce and chili sauce serve well from a slow cooker on low heat.
Pita pizzas – Spread pita chips or wedges with a bit of sauce and top with part-skim mozzarella. Heat under the broiler till the cheese is bubbly.
Hummus with pita chips – Homemade or store-bought hummus served with whole grain crackers or pita chips.
English muffin pizzas – Split English muffins and top each half with a spoonful of pizza or spaghetti sauce (homemade or natural-style storebought), then top with cheese and veggies. Broil until cheese is bubbly.
Dips – Substitute plain yogurt for part or all of the sour cream.
Pizza – Cut cooked pizza into small slices, or cut out shapes with simple geometric cutters. This is good with homemade or purchased pizza.
Hot wings – Bake slightly defrosted chicken wing parts until done (about 30 minutes at 450 F). Remove from oven and bake with a glaze of 4 Tbsp hot sauce, 4 Tbsp melted butter, and 1 tsp vinegar. (Serve with a side plate of wet wipes. )
Mexican dip – Layers of no-lard refried beans, no-nitrite chili (or homemade), taco seasoning, sour cream/yogurt mixture, salsa, shredded cheese, black olives, and finely chopped onion – may be served cold or heated 15 minutes in a 350 oven, accompanied by baked tortilla chips.
Easy chili-cheese dip – Soften an 8-oz package of neufchatel cheese and spread on a serving plate. Top with a can of no-nitrite chili and sprinkle with shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese. Heat in oven or microwave till cheese melts. Great with baked tortilla chips.
Crab dip – Soften an 8-oz package of neufchatel cheese and spread on a serving plate. Top with half a bottle of cocktail sauce or chili sauce, then sprinkle liberally with chopped artificial crab (which is made of fish). Serve with whole grain crackers.
Many main dishes make yummy appetizers if cut into very small portions, including rolled breads, bite-sized chicken pieces, stuffed shells, or sandwiches on small dinner rolls.
Copyright 2006, Vicki Bentley, Family Resources
Appetizer Ideas
