A Month of 100-Calorie Snacks

Pierce each sweet potato a few times with a fork, place in a pie plate with two tablespoons water, cover loosely with wax paper, and microwave at high five minutes or until tender.
Harvest Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Tarts Recipe

Look for packaged sliced smoked salmon. Conveniently, each slice should be one ounce.
Smoked Salmon Buckwheat Pinwheels Recipe

Fiber-rich, low-fat pinto beans are the base of this tasty dip, made zesty with lime, cilantro, and jalapeño. Serve with baked tortilla chips. You can also perk up quesadillas or vegetarian tacos with this spread.
Tex-Mex Pinto Bean Spread Recipe

This rich spread goes best with plain crackers such as unsalted saltines or Carr's Table Water Crackers.
Smoked-Trout Spread Recipe

Cut chilled grilled steak when ready to assemble appetizers and slice it very thinly (less than 1/4 inch, if possible). The finished appetizers can be covered and chilled for up to 6 hours.

Chevre and Mango Steak Bites Recipe

You can make the Caramelized Onion-Cranberry Compote a day ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving.
Caramelized Onion-Cranberry-Cream Cheese Bites Recipe

This light, refreshing frozen yogurt makes an ideal finish for a multicourse meal. Serve with biscotti and a garnish of fresh mint sprigs.
Raspberry Frozen Yogurt Recipe

This Mediterranean-inspired appetizer offers a little extra protein, heart-healthy monounsaturated fat, and fiber. Serve with cut-up vegetables or toasted pita wedges.
Roasted Red Pepper and Cannellini Bean Dip Recipe

"This recipe requires your steadfast attention, so try not to get distracted. The periodic stirring prevents it from boiling over." --CL Reader
Buttermilk Pralines Recipe

A combination of cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper gives these chai cookies a taste reminiscent of Indian spiced tea. The fine texture of powdered sugar helps them retain the characteristic shortbread crunch.

Chai Shortbread Recipe

This combination of dusky dates and tinted marzipan is a North African tradition.
Algerian Stuffed Dates Recipe

Bake these bite-sized frittatas in a miniature muffin pan. They taste great hot or at room temperature, so you can make them in advance.

Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese Recipe

This classic spice cookie is a delicious addition to your holiday cookie collection.
Molasses Cookies Recipe

Kahlúa makes a subtle, yet delicious appearance in this chocolate chip cookie recipe. No liqueur? Simply substitute strong freshly brewed coffee.
Black and White Chocolate Chip Cookies Recipe

You won't need encouragement to eat your veggies when you serve this hearty, nutty dip with a variety of crisp vegetables such as jicama, bell pepper strips, steamed sugar snap peas, and carrot sticks.
Edamame Dip Recipe

We love the words from one of our recipe reviewers to describe this quick, 3-ingredient recipe: simple yet elegant, tasty yet healthy, and common yet special.
Blueberries with Brown Sugar Cream Recipe

Make this the day before for entertaining ease. It's great with crisp breadsticks and does double duty as a sandwich spread.
Red Pepper-Cheese Dip Recipe

When you're tired of the same ol' queso and chips, try these smoky adobo chips with some warm goat cheese and a zesty cilantro salsa.
Adobo Chips with Warm Goat Cheese and Cilantro Salsa Recipe

Stuffed eggs are often served warm in France, and this recipe is similar to one from the Périgord region. If you plan to dye Easter eggs, cook extras for this dish.
French-Style Stuffed Eggs Recipe

Refrigerated breadstick dough keeps preparation time to a minimum.
Jack Cheese Breadsticks Recipe

This recipe received our Test Kitchens' highest rating. Use a mandoline to cut the potato for the best results; hand-cutting is less likely to produce sufficiently thin and uniform slices. If you have any leftover chips, store them in an airtight container for up to a week. You'll need to bake them for two minutes at 450° to recrisp before eating.
Potato Chips with Blue Cheese Dip Recipe

"I lightened this fruit dip recipe, and it received rave reviews. It looks lovely and tastes great." Serve with fresh fruit such as strawberries, pineapple, or apple. -CL Reader

Lemony Fruit Dip Recipe

Gyoza skins are the Japanese equivalent of wonton wrappers; you'll likely find both in the refrigerated section of the supermarket. If you can't find gyoza skins, substitute round wonton wrappers.
Mini Smoked Salmon Pizzas Recipe

The mangoes, melons, and nectarines, along with the cucumber, give the gazpacho a sweet spin. Don't seed the jalapeño if you like a soup with more zip.
Chunky Tomato-Fruit Gazpacho Recipe

Because it's easy to work with, this semolina-flour dough is a great way to try your hand at yeasted dough. The rich rounds beg to be served at cocktail hour. We especially like them with a slightly off-dry Riesling. Prep and Cook Time: 2 hours. Notes: Semolina flour is available at groceries with large bulk-foods sections and at Italian specialty stores.
Red Onion and Gorgonzola Flatbread Recipe

Scoop this creamy dip with pita chips and carrot, celery, red bell pepper, and jicama sticks. Prepare up to eight hours in advance, and refrigerate in an airtight container. To further simplify your evening, use precut vegetables from the produce section.
Avocado-Yogurt Dip with Cumin Recipe

Try this cookie recipe that contrasts the tartness of the cherries with the cocoa and chocolate chips for an elegant, and delicious, addition to your holiday table.
Chocolate-Cherry Cookies Recipe

Pepper may sound like an odd ingredient for a cookie, but it complements the other spices well (although you can omit it if you prefer).
Spicy Oatmeal Crisps Recipe