If you need some easy party appetizers fast, and want the table to look inviting, serve a fruit dip with a basket of fresh strawberries. It couldn't be easier! Part of the trick: Line the basket with some green leaf lettuce. Even if the rest of the food is standard fare, the presence of something so fresh and colorful charges the atmosphere. It's party time!

Serving fruit dips in stemmed glasses adds elegance. The cream cheese fruit dip with orange goes well with the strawberries, and the chocolate sauce is always a favorite.The dips can be made a day ahead of time, which is convenient. Use about 2 pints of strawberries for each dip. Each dip serves 10-15.

Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 1 TBS. honey
• 1/4 tsp. vanilla
  

Microwave 1 minute or so, until hot: > 1/2 c. heavy whipping cream

Add and stir until melted: > 1 c. chocolate chips > 1 TBS. honey > 1/4 tsp. vanilla

Put chocolate sauce into a stemmed glass to serve with fresh fruits. You can use bananas and other fruits too, but add lemon to such fruits to keep them from turning brown.

Sun-Kissed Fruit Dip

Ingredients:

• 8 oz. cream cheese, room-temperature
  
• 1 tsp. orange zest
  
• 3 TBS. frozen orange juice concentrate
• Optional: 2 TBS. sugar

Whip until light: > 8 oz. cream cheese, room-temperature (warm in microwave at half-power, if necessary)

To the whipped cream cheese, add: > 1 tsp. orange zest (the gratings of about 1 orange) > 3 TBS. frozen orange juice concentrate > Optional: 2 TBS. sugar

Serve the dip in a stemmed glass, or a glass bow. I am usually shooting for healthy recipes, so I don't add the extra sugar. The dip is not all too sweet, but that makes it a good contrast to the chocolate, which goes very well with it. Ideally, you start with good quality strawberries, which should also be sweet. A great combination.