Appetizers/6 recipes

Eat heartily, accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. In fact, I typed this accompanied by much loud Italian conversation. My parents were here, and both were shouting instructions over my shoulder. They disagreed about the arrangement of the lettuce - my mother said that the hole in the middle of the platter was necessary; my father insisted that it wasn't, saying you can just dump the tuna on top of the lettuce. I finally had to give up on this reply until they went home. So now, in the peace and quiet of the aftermath, I've finished it. Hope you had a wonderful holiday.

Ranch flavoured cream cheese cheese rolled with ham in a flour tortilla. A favourite party appetizer that's very easy to prepare in a short amount of time.

Kay's apple pie is a classic double-crust pie with pared apples tossed in sugar and cinnamon, dotted with butter and finished with a milk-brushed, sugar-dusted top crust.

Best antipasto is a big-batch homemade relish of cauliflower, green beans, peppers, mushrooms, olives, tuna, and anchovies in a tangy tomato-vinegar base. Spoon it onto crackers for a make-ahead party and holiday spread.

Prosciutto-wrapped asparagus bundles topped with Parmesan and broiled until the cheese crisps. An elegant low-carb appetizer with just 6 ingredients.

Crispy baked rice squares made from leftover rice, mozzarella, Parmesan, egg, and Italian herbs. A 6-ingredient snack or appetizer that uses up day-old rice.

Chickpea dip with 6 cloves of garlic, olive oil, and lemon juice pureed smooth. A tahini-free hummus-style appetizer served with pita bread, scallions, crackers, or red cabbage.

Simple pork satay with sweet apricot peanut butter sauce. Quick marinade in soy and steak sauce, grill or broil in 10 minutes. Easy appetizer serves 6 or main dish for 2.

Grilled shrimp marinated in pineapple juice, lemon, and hot sauce for a sweet-heat kick. Thread on skewers for a crowd-pleasing appetizer or serve as a sizzling summer entree for 6 to 8.

Salami roll-ups with cream cheese, avocado, tomato, and lettuce in flour tortillas. No-cook appetizer sliced into pinwheels, perfect for parties. Make ahead and chill.

Broiled potato skins loaded with pepper jack cheese and crispy bacon, cut into bite-size pieces for game-day appetizers. A quick broil melts the cheese in two minutes.

Delicious! And simple to make in a large batch for appetizers. As made in Thrace, the soft-dough may be spread into a sheet and cut in squares before baking, or each shaped individually into daintly "bastounakia" (little canes or sticks). The word "trifti" identifies the texture - crisp and crumbly in the mouth.

Low calorie tomato bruschetta on garlic-rubbed toast with sauteed onion, oregano, and optional Parmesan. Just 1 teaspoon of olive oil keeps this appetizer light and fresh.

Sesame-crusted tofu cubes fried golden and served with a homemade plum dipping sauce made from fresh plums, soy, and teriyaki. A vegetarian party appetizer that serves 16.

Marinated fresh mushrooms in olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, Dijon mustard, and tarragon. A make-ahead appetizer that improves over 1-2 days in the fridge.

Note: In lieu of fresh trout, 1/2 lb cooked and flaked fish may be used. Make smaller protions and serve as an appetizer. Oatcakes that have been gently warmed in the oven go well with this dish.