ENTERTAINING TIME AND MONEY SAVERS

Ever had guests stop by for an impromptu party when all your fridge holds is a half empty litre of milk and a bottle of yellow mustard?  With a tiny bit of planning and a very low budget you can, in less than ten minutes, impress your guests with an assortment of nibbles to accompany all libations.
 
Whole wheat pita can be cut into bite sized wedges and baked to a crispy chip in a 350 degree oven for about seven minutes (turn once halfway through). Pita can be kept in a sealed bag for weeks, and is a healthy alternative to chips.  Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with fleur de sel,  cumin, cajun seasoning, or mixed Italian herbs for something fancier.

Dolmades or Dolmadakia are made from grape or vine leaves wrapped around rice. Baba ghanoush is a delicious dip made from eggplant and hummus is a dip made from chickpeas. Both can be found in tins on grocery shelves and since they are shelf stable they don't need to be kept in the fridge until opened. Serve with whole wheat pita chips, and finish with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a couple of lemon wedges and/or a sprinkle of parsley.

Keep 1-2 bags of dim sum* in the freezer in the event that guests drop by.  They reheat in a flash (usually by steaming or pan frying) and can be presented as a more substantial snack that can be consumed along with any type of alcoholic bevvy. Dim sum comes in all variations including vegetarian, with favorites including cabbage and mushroom dumplings, har gow, and shiu mae.

Steamed soya beans, also known as edamame, are a terrific time saver. Quickly steamed either in the microwave or on the stovetop and served with a sprinkling of fleur de sel, they can be found in any Asian supermarket in the frozen section as well as health food stores and many supermarkets.

* Dim sum is the name given to a variety of Chinese foods that are served in small portions, including steamed or fried dumplings.