Easy, Healthy Entertaining

(Family Features) - Hosting a fabulous party doesn't have to include all of the typical calorie-laden, unhealthy food and drink options. These days, it's easier than ever to create great tasting dishes that also bring good nutrition to the party and your guests.

Here are some appetizing ideas to get you started:

A cheese platter - Offer a wide variety of cheese slices and chunks available for nibbling. They're flavorful and filling, so a little goes a long way.

Fresh fruit - A gorgeous selection of colorful fruit will help satisfy sweet cravings without all the calories.

Hummus - Set out several flavors of hummus and some pita bread and flatbreads for a savory, protein-rich appetizer.

Caprese salad - This Italian delight made of sliced low-fat mozzarella cheese, sliced tomatoes and fresh basil, drizzled with a little olive oil, will satisfy your guests as they enjoy this delicious snack that's also good for them.

Spiced nuts - Nuts have good fats, protein, vitamins and minerals. Set out bowls of roasted nuts flavored with chili and lime, wasabi, garlic or - as a sweet surprise - cocoa.

Create your own original dips and spreads - like a delicious avocado spread or a flavored, low-fat cream cheese dip - to serve alongside whole grain flatbreads.

Mini sweets - Instead of huge pieces of fattening cheesecake or carrot cake, make lighter versions and bake them up mini-sized. A few bites of deliciousness are all your happy guests will need.

These recipes from Wasa are perfect for entertaining a large crowd - or even if you're just looking for some new snack ideas - and feature new Wasa Thin & Crispy Flatbreads. The thin whole grain crackers have a delicious taste and are the perfect healthier alternative to buttery crackers that provide a satisfying crunch. Plus, the topping possibilities are endless- think of them as a blank canvas for creating countless varieties of party appetizers and every day meals that are uniquely your own. For more information and recipe ideas, visit www.wasa-usa.com or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wasa.

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Flatbread with Bell Pepper and Avocado Spread

Ingredients

• 6 Wasa Thin & Crispy Original Flatbreads
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 avocado
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped

Preparation

1. Dice bell pepper into small dices.
2. Dice avocado and mash with red peppers, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
3. Spread mixture onto flatbreads and sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Serves
Serves 6

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Flatbread with Tomato, Feta and Cucumber

Ingredients

• 6 Wasa Thin & Crispy Rosemary Flatbreads
• 1 cup low-fat feta cheese
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes, quartered
• 1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

Preparation

1. Crumble feta cheese into small pieces.
2. Combine tomato and feta cheese with parsley, lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
3. Top each flatbread with cucumber slices. Place tomato and feta mixture over the top of the cucumber slices.

Serves
Serves 6

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