| Holiday parties are wonderful but the vast | | | | needed, add some pickle relish juice to the |
| array of rich and tempting foods can become a | | | | mixture. Pipe or spoon into egg whites. |
| bit overwhelming. I have some recipes for | | | | Sprinkle with paprika. I have been making |
| this time of year that, while delicious, are | | | | these for years and they are always the first |
| not quite as rich as the standard fare. When | | | | appetizer to disappear. |
| asked to contribute a dish, I usually make | | | | |
| one of these recipes. This way, I know there | | | | Wrapped Melon. Buy precut cantaloupe and |
| will be an alternative if I start to indulge | | | | honeydew melon chunks, at the grocery store. |
| too heartily in richer selections. Here are | | | | Wrap with small slices of Italian ham, such |
| five alternatives. | | | | as capicola or prosciutto. Attach the ham to |
| | | | the melon with toothpicks. This is super easy |
| Shrimp Loaf. Place eight ounces of low fat | | | | and delicious. The salty ham and sweet melon |
| cream cheese on a bed of chopped iceburg | | | | are great compliments to each other. |
| lettuce. Mix together - ½ cup of ketchup,1 | | | | |
| tablespoon of horseradish and a few drops of | | | | Marinated Mushrooms. Wash 2 pounds of |
| fresh lemon juice. Pour over the top of the | | | | mushrooms with a wet paper towel and remove |
| cream cheese. Then, drain one small can of | | | | the stems. In a large frying pan, with a lid, |
| shrimp, in a colander. Squeeze the rest of | | | | steam the mushrooms in your favorite lite |
| the juice, of one lemon, over the shrimp and | | | | Italian salad dressing. If you desire, you |
| toss. Place on top of the ketchup mixture. | | | | can add a little white wine or sherry to the |
| Serve with triscuits or wheat crackers. | | | | mixture about halfway through cooking time. |
| | | | Turn up the heat for a few minutes if adding |
| Salsa Loaf. A variation of the shrimp loaf, | | | | wine to burn off the alcohol. Cool completely |
| this is a snap. Place eight ounces of nonfat | | | | and refrigerate for at least four hours. |
| cream cheese on a plate. Pour ½ cup of hot | | | | These can be made up to two days in advance. |
| salsa over cream cheese brick. Serve with | | | | |
| baked tortilla chips or whole wheat crackers. | | | | Even though these recipes are lower in fat |
| This can be adapted to your taste. Use low | | | | than the standard versions, if you need to |
| fat cream cheese and mild salsa, if you are | | | | watch your salt intake, use common sense. |
| not a fan of hot and spicy foods. | | | | Lite versions of salad dressing can be very |
| | | | high in sodium. Read your labels. Italian ham |
| Deviled Eggs. Hard boil one dozen eggs. Slice | | | | is very salty. Some versions of salsa can be |
| lengthwise. Remove the yolks and to them, add | | | | higher in sodium than others. With a little |
| 2 tablespoons of low fat mayonnaise, 1 | | | | variation, everyone can sample these recipes. |
| tablespoon of yellow mustard and 1 teaspoon | | | | Pick one, this holiday season, and enjoy! |
| of dill pickle relish. If more liquid is | | | | |