1. Toss mixed nuts with a small amount of curry of chili and bake at 375 degrees for 5 minutes. Serve warm.

2. Dress up olives by marinating them for a day or so in olive oil with lemon rind, orange rind, garlic cloves, hot peppers of fresh herbs. Decorate with appropriate garnish.. lemon or orange zest, fresh sprigs of herbs, whole fresh hot peppers etc.

3. Wrap a whole brie wheel with prepared biscuit dough and bake according to package directions. You can add appricot preserves, sprinkle with curry or chili, sundried tomatoes, fresh chopped basil etc before wrapping in pastry. Serve warm with fresh French bread.

4. Quesadillas are flexible and easy. Take as many flour tortillas as required, fill with grilled veggies, grated cheese (Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Mozarella), crumbled cooked sausage, andouille sausage pieces, shrimps, slices of avocado, fresh hot peppers.. whatever you like. Toast on both sides in a non stick skillet until cheese is melted. Cut into wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.