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