This oregano-flavoured tangy, crunchy macaroni salad is an evergreen favourite with pasta lovers. The dressing features an interesting combination of ingredients like herbs, garlic, chilli flakes, pine nuts and lemon juice. Unlike the oily nature of most dressings, this healthier option uses only 1 tsp of oil, and that too olive oil. Olive is considered very good as it is rich in MUFA (Mono unsaturated Fatty Acids) and is beneficial for the heart. This salad provides lots of vitamin C and fibre as it contains capsicum, bean sprouts and tomatoes.

This oregano-flavoured, tangy, crunchy macaroni salad is an evergreen favourite with pasta lovers. Paneer and bean sprouts add to the protein quotient of this salad, which is dressed in an interesting combination of herbs, garlic, chilli flakes, pine nuts and lemon juice.

A crostini is a small toast topped with a variety of ingredients, which is served as an appetiser. Native to Tuscany, the crostini range offers several classic toppings to choose from. This one consists of caramelised pepper and olives that are bound with cheese, used atop crusty whole wheat bread. This is perhaps the best crostini of all and is perfect for serving with drinks before a meal. Note that I have used just 1 tsp of sugar to caramelise the ingredients. Also, mozzarella cheese contains less fat compared to cooking cheese.

These petite, bite-sized canapés, are ideal as starters at a cocktail party. Small though they seem, they are truly power-packed and kindle the appetite of the guests like never before!

This oregano-flavoured macaroni salad is sure to please pasta lovers.

One of my favorite weight loss snacks, each canapé has only 57 calories. Rich in calcium, it also provides essential fatty acids from olives, which help get the glow back on your skin.

A cold macaroni salad with vinaigrette dressing is just perfect salad to make if your meal theme is italian. Chunky cubes of tomato, capsicum, chopped spring onions and olives add in various flavours and textures to the macaroni. You could sprinkle some oregano into it too. Serve chilled and watch your loved ones take second helpings!

Pizzelle resemble small bite sized calzones. I have stuffed these with some Italian favourites, cheese and olives, spiked with basil and pepper. Pizzelles are an example of a by-product becoming very popular in its own right. It was originally made using left-over dough (usually pizza or bread dough) folded around a tasty morsel (probably left-overs as well). Pizzelle are either deep fried or baked and are always served hot. Seal the ends of the pizzelles very tightly so as to prevent the cheese from oozing out while they are being baked. Serve them hot with a spicy tomato sauce.