Yields 4 Appetizer-size Servings

• 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne
• 2 teaspoons mesquite seasoning
• 1/2 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Spray olive oil
• 24 ounces frozen French fries
• 1 cup California Monterey Jack cheese (plain), shredded
• 3/4 cup bottled chunky or creamy Blue Cheese dressing

Yields 4 Appetizer-size Servings

• 2 teaspoons steak seasoning
• 24 ounces frozen French fries ("steak" fries)
• 1 cup California Cheddar, shredded
• 1/3 cup real bacon bits
• 1/2 cup sour cream blended with 4 teaspoons milk
• 4 green onions, thinly sliced

22 appetizer-sized servings (about 3 1/4 cups)

• 2 (15-ounce) cans white beans (cannellini or Great Northern), drained and rinsed
• 3/4 cup chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup (4 ounces) pre-shredded or grated California Monterey Jack, or substitute a flavored variety such as California Pepper Jack
• 2 tablespoons sour cream

17 appetizer-sized servings (about 2 3/4 cups)

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 cup diced white onion
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
• 1 or 2 tablespoons canned diced jalapeño peppers (adjust to your taste preference)
• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained

15 - 20 appetizer-size servings

• Cheese: 1/4 pound California Monterey Jack
• Meat: 1/4 pound thinly sliced deli-style smoked turkey
• Cracker: Thin whole-grain cracker
• Garnish: Barbecue Sauce

1. Cut slices of Jack cheese to fit the crackers. Top each cracker with a slice of turkey, a slice of cheese and a small dab (1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon) of barbecue sauce.

15 - 20 appetizer-size servings

• Cheese: 1/4 pound California Provolone or part-skim California Mozzarella
• Meat: 1/4 pound thinly sliced salami
• Cracker: Thin rye cracker
• Garnish: Peperoncini strip

1. Cut slices of Swiss cheese to fit the crackers. Top each cracker with a slice of cheese and salami. Top with a small strip of peperoncini.

15 - 20 appetizer-size servings

• Cheese: 1 cup (4 ounces) grated California Cheddar
• Meat: 1/4 cup bacon bits
• Cracker: Thin whole-grain cracker
• Garnish: 2 tablespoons honey mustard
• Optional: 8-10 cherry tomatoes, halved

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

15 - 20 appetizer-size servings

• Cheese: 1/4 pound thinly sliced Real California Swiss cheese
• Meat: 1/4 pound thinly sliced deli-style corned beef
• Cracker: Thin rye crackers, broken into 2-inch pieces
• Garnish: Thousand Island dressing

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

15 - 20 appetizer-size servings

• Cheese: 1/4 pound California Swiss cheese
• Meat: 1/4 pound thinly sliced deli-style ham or prosciutto
• Cracker: Flatbread cracker
• Garnish: Spicy mustard

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.

Yields 4 cups

• 1 package (8 ounces) California cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (16 ounces) California nonfat plain yogurt, drained
• 4 ripe medium avocados, peeled, seeded and mashed
• 1 cup salsa verde (green chile salsa)
• 2-3 teaspoons lemon or lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt