Online - August 24, 2009

Enjoy the Fizztivities

Dedicated E-mail: Diet Coke

After years of mooching off friends’ festivities, you’ve finally decided to throw a shindig of your own. All you need to get started? Um, everything.

Fear not: Diet Coke has your recipes for success. Keep it simple (tapas), fresh (cooked yourself), and healthy (paired with refreshing Diet Coke). Follow these steps and you can’t go wrong.

Go Nuts
Start off hot with chili-roasted peanuts with dried cherries. Service is key: Opt for individual portions (no double dipping!) in small bowls or colorful cupcake wrappers.

Cheese Wiz
Let them eat cheese! Whole-wheat quesadillas with chicken and jalapeno jack, plus a mango salsa (easy-peasy, if you can pick ripe fruit, make for a spicy-savory-sweet combo.

Satay Anything
Beef things up with bamboo-skewered satay of beef with peanut sauce. A proper marinade thoroughly infuses flavor ensuring no one gets the short end of the stick.

Just Desserts
Like any other dish, layering flavors and textures is the name of the game. Pack it all in one bite with grilled peppered pineapple.

Sip Service
Drink tip: Keep the Diet Coke flowing. The sugar-free pop packs all the taste your guests expect without the calorie crunch.

Need more help? For scores of recipes and party-planning tips, go to dietcoke.com.

Sponsored by Diet Coke.