Appetizers at a typical American party tend to lean toward the unhealthy--chips, potato skins and chicken wings are typical fare at these gatherings. However, unhealthy appetizers are not the only choices for casual get-togethers. Crudites--raw fruits and vegetables typically served with a dip or other accompaniment--make excellent additions to your casual fare, and can help reduce the temptation to reach for another plate of fattening, sodium-laden snacks.
Fruits and Vegetables
On a crudite plate, place whole, small vegetables and fruits such as cherry tomatoes and radishes, and slice larger vegetables. Red bell peppers, carrots, apples, broccoli, cauliflower, green onions and cucumbers are all good choices. Use a variety of vegetables with different colors to create a visually appealing appetizer dish.
Dips
Hosts typically serve dairy-based dips with crudites. However, you can use other types of dips with raw fruits and vegetables. Hummus, which is a mixture of chickpeas, sesame paste, lemon juice and cumin, works well with crudites. Other choices include bean dip, guacamole, fresh salsa and baba ghanouj, or eggplant dip.
Accompaniments
Add other foods along with fruits and vegetables to create a more interesting appetizer platter. Sliced pita bread is a good accompaniment to crudites and dip. Other choices include crackers, sliced cheese and warm, sliced tortillas.
References
- The Veggie Table: Crudites
- "1,001 Low-Fat Vegetarian Recipes"; Sue Spitler; 2000
- Cookthink: What are Crudites
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