And the Winner is…

By Katie Barreira

February is National Snack Food Month, a fitting title, given that the hallmark of snack food consumption, the Super Bowl, falls on its first Sunday. Such snack-centric events often become occasions to indulge in highly processed, preservative-laced junk food. But hardcore snacking need not be dispirited by all of that rubbish.

The end of the month brings another snack-worthy occasion (thanks, Oscar) and if you’d like to snack without all the junk, then nosh on these homemade refreshments, inspired by some packaged favorites.

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Easy Appetizers for Brides and Valentines

By Sandy Hu

My friend Molly was married in Chicago a week ago Saturday, and by all accounts, she was an exquisitely beautiful, radiant bride who planned a flawless wedding. Molly and John were honeymooning in the Napa Valley so they stopped by to say hello on their way back to SFO, where they would catch a plane home the next day.

I wanted to create a festive get-together for the four of us, with sparkling wine and a few nibbles to celebrate. But since Friday was a work day, it had to be simple.

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Easy Apps

By Lori Powell

Happy New Year! My gift to you is a quick and easy-to-assemble hors d’oeuvre to put together in minutes, as long as you have a couple of items around in your pantry. It’s as convenient whether you are entertaining just one other person or are having a bunch of friends over.

The following “recipe” is really a non recipe and is truly just some ideas on what to fill readymade, store-bought little phyllo cups with. The boxes of phyllo cups are sold in the freezer section of the supermarket near the phyllo sheets and puff pastry.

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Try This Easy Party Appetizer

It’s always useful to have a great, fool-proof party hors d’oeuvre recipe, especially at this time of the year.. But it can be daunting to find something that can feed many, doesn’t take all day to make and won’t break the bank. We’ve got the perfect dish – Curry Chutney Deviled Eggs. The curry and chutney add big flavor so these eggs are sure to be a hit at the party!

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Crab Cheese Fondue Comes out of the Closet

By Sandy Hu

I have a secret. My always-popular holiday dip is made with products I’d like to keep hidden from my guests. I’ve been known to hurriedly shove the containers in the trash as that first doorbell rings.

It’s not that there’s anything really wrong with the ingredients. It’s just that people have high expectations. Freshly grated Cheddar…fresh-caught crab? Nope.

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