Good for You Yet Delicious Party Appetizers

It is time for parties and time for eating (healthy that is). You can throw the party of a lifetime without packing calories and fat into your appetizers.

Potato Skins

Simple and delicious...bake or grill your potatoes (make sure they are fairly large ones and are a very good kind for baking/grilling). After they have cooled, cut them in half. Using a spoon, gently scoop the potato from the peeling (try your best not to make a hole in the skin). Combine in a sauce pan, the potatoes, a little skim milk, salt and pepper to taste, and just a little butter (yes, I know what you are thinking...butter is actually better for you than margarine...it is true). After the mixture has combined well, scoop it in to the peelings from the potatoes. Sprinkle with a low fat or fat free cheese of your choice and lean well drained crumbled bacon. Put into the oven (here it is better not to put on the grill) and bake at 350 degrees until cheese is melted. Top with low fat or fat free sour cream and fresh chopped chives (or another topping of choice).

Home Made Dip

Now if you want easy, here it is. All this takes is low fat or fat free sour cream, green onions, and low fat or fat free mayonnaise. Just mix the ingredients together and serve with baked low fat potato chips. A variation to this is use sour cream, chives, and mayonnaise.

Home Made Ranch Dressing (can also be used as a dip)

This is another simple one. All it takes is mayonnaise, buttermilk, and seasoned salt. Just combine the ingredients being careful not to add too much salt. If you do not want to use seasoned salt, you may substitute it for something such as Mrs. Dash.

Home Made Dip for Fruit

Combine cream cheese (fat free or low fat), Splenda (or generic) no calorie sweetener (taste for desired sweetness after adding approximately two tablespoons), just a little lemon juice and a little lime juice. This is best served at room temperature. It is fine to make it the night before making sure to set it out about two hours prior to the party. Serve this with the fruit of your choice.

Home Made Pimento Cheese

Use Velveeta (no generic please) cheese (low fat), mayonnaise, and a large jar of pimento. Simply melt the cheese over very low heat adding the slightest bit of milk (here 2% is better). Let the cheese cool slightly but not set again. Add mayonnaise (desired amount) and pimentos (make sure they are well drained...some people even like the juice they come in...I do not) and gently stir until blended (it really is better to use your hands to mix it, but that is up to you).

See there, it is not so hard to eat better and still have good food. Enjoy and have a wonderful party!

Source:
Personal recipes (most of these were handed down to me from my mother)