These seasonal dishes are simple to prepare, which makes them perfect for summer entertaining. Prepare one recipe to have as an appetizer -- or, even better, make a meal of them by choosing a few and sampling them all.

To grill the shrimp, use 8-inch wooden skewers, which you'll find in many supermarkets and kitchenware stores.

Snap out of your store-bought hummus rut with this delicious twist on the protein-rich staple.

In-season ingredients (tomatoes, corn, and basil) are the heart of this lime-spiked dip; tofu -- low in saturated fat and cholesterol-free -- makes it creamy.

This light and fresh dip -- made with chickpeas -- won't fill up guests before the barbecue.

A classic guacamole is enhanced by salty, low-fat queso fresco. Instead of chips, serve the dip with fresh summer crudites.

Portobello mushrooms make the most delicious (and healthy) "crust" for pizza. Save the stem ends of the portobellos to make flavorful soups and stocks.

Make sure to take the peppers out of the oven before they get too soft. They should still be firm enough to hold the toppings.

In addition to making a great dip for chips, you can serve with grilled pork or fish, such as red snapper or striped bass.

This refreshing appetizer doesn't require any cooking: Cucumbers are simply washed, cut, and hollowed out, then filled with low-fat cottage cheese and topped with clover sprouts.

Good quality olive oil and just a pinch of salt will bring out the natural flavors of this super-simple bruschetta.

Lettuce leaves, chopped tomato, and slices of avocado give a dose of fiber to this Mexican-inspired twist on shrimp cocktail.

Instead of using bread, try serving this light dish on a bed of greens, tossed with pasta, or stirred into couscous.

Cool and refreshing, this dip pairs best with raw vegetables such as carrots, cucumbers, and bell peppers.

Italian country bread makes this summer salad a little heartier than most.

If your experience with calamari is limited to the deep-fried or boiled preparations, this grilled version will be a revelation.