‘Lite’ up your appetizers

The holiday festivities keep everyone on the run. Whether you plan to host a gathering, or attend one, you may already be planning what delectable foods to serve or bring along. Often when visiting at another home, we offer to bring an appetizer. This remains a terrific idea to me because it neither makes nor breaks the main meal… You just have to arrive on time! The role of the appetizer is one of getting the taste buds rolling. 6ome starters are so delicious, people would find themselves Tuitesatisfied to skip the main meal and stick with the starters. Thankfully, these days though, sacrificing calories does not have to mean sacrificing taste. .eeping them light may also tend not to ruin the appetites of the guests.

We want to bring an interesting appetizer, that is not too complicated because we all have wrapping, and running to do throughout the holidays. We are short on time. Hey, at least it’s easy to keep your heart rate up this time of year; good aerobic activity!

People sometimes refer to the holidays as a time for carefree eating. These recipes make it easy to watch along the way, and you would never know from their taste. If you can save a calorie or two during the gluttony, go for it.

Have you ever made something especially delicious and someone comments as such to you? You reply, “and it’s low in fat too!” I just brought the roasted red pepper cheesecake to a gathering last week, and no one could believe it was “lite.” People like hearing this. Below you will find great appetizer recipes that offer 5 or less grams of fat per serving. Your guests will never know, and I won’t tell, if you don’t!

Let the games begin; enjoy the party circuit!!! cream cheese. Transfer to a large bowl and add the remaining ingredients and stir until well blended. Spoon into a sprayed casserole dish, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Remove from oven, stir and serve as a spread with crackers or baked tortilla chips. ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Add the ½ cup of chopped peppers you reserved, but just stir them in. Pour the filling into the prepared crust. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 15 minutes. Cover as is and refrigerate at least 3 hours before removing the spring siding. Garnish with pepper strips or a holly sprig. Serve with crackers. This can be made 2 days in advance.