Friendly Little Appetizers

All those tasty appetizers and nibbles during the holidays have a downside: They’re usually high in fat and calories, making little bites add up fast.

These tasty low-fat filo appetizers won’t make a big dent in your holiday fat budget.

Sheets of filo dough are coated with butter-flavored cooking spray instead of butter. A little more butter brushed on the appetizers before baking adds to the flavor. Served hot from the oven, these bites will fool your guests; they’ll know they’re low-fat only if you tell.

Olive Triangle Appetizers

Active Work Time: 30 minutes * Total Preparation Time: 50 minutes

9 sheets filo dough

Nonstick butter-flavored cooking spray

1 (5-ounce) jar pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped (about 1 cup)

1/2 cup shredded Manchego cheese

2 tablespoons melted butter

Black sesame seeds

White sesame seeds

* Lightly spray 1 sheet filo dough with cooking spray. Top with second sheet and spray. Top with third sheet. Use a sharp knife to cut filo dough crosswise into 8 strips. Spoon about 2 teaspoons chopped olives onto corner at end of filo strip. Top with 1 teaspoon cheese. Fold corner to corner, end over end, forming triangle. Repeat filling procedure with remaining filo strips.

* Place in single layer on baking sheets. Lightly brush tops of triangles with melted butter. Sprinkle each triangle with black and white sesame seeds.

* Repeat procedure with remaining 6 sheets filo dough, beginning with spraying sheets and ending with sprinkling sesame seeds. * Bake at 375 until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve warm.

24 appetizers. Each appetizer: 54 calories; 76 mg sodium; 5 mg cholesterol; 3 grams fat; 5 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.12 gram fiber.