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