Light and Easy Appetizers

Fruit and prosciutto can be incorporated into simple hors d'oeuvres.

When a cocktail reception precedes a dinner party, hosts typically prefer to serve light appetizers and hors d'oeuvres that whet, rather than satisfy, guests' appetites. Easy and tasty light fare can be prepared from a variety of ingredients.

Wrapped Appetizers

Melon balls wrapped in prosciutto or thinly sliced country ham makes an attractive appetizer. Pineapple or water chestnuts wrapped in paper-thin bacon and broiled is a favored hors d'oeuvre. Wrapping cinnamon- and sugar-coated pear chunks in puff pastry and baking them to a golden brown is also a tasty and light option.

Dips and Spreads

Serving toasted pita bread triangles with various dips and spreads is simple. Chopped shrimp or crab dips are delectable accompaniments, as well as hummus or vegetable based spreads. Lightly-toasted French baguettes sliced diagonally, spread with finely chopped fresh tomato and basil and sprinkled with grated fresh Parmesan can be easily prepared ahead of time.

Mini Meatballs

Served hot or at room temperature, mini meatball appetizers are a breeze to make and provide guests with tasty, bite-sized morsels that are easy to eat while mingling. They can be made with any nicely-seasoned ground meat, poultry or seafood and served with hot or mild sauces.

References

• Food Network: Light and Easy Appetizers