I like having people over to the house. And whether it's a small get-together or a larger gathering, I always depend on appetizers as a great option to give people a chance to mingle while I'm getting the main meal on.

One of the things I've wanted, though, are easier recipes that are still delicious. And if they could be healthy as well, then I've hit pay dirt. This is no easy feat. But thanks to the Internet, I found what I was looking for. On www.livestrong.com, I found six, 3-ingredient appetizers that can be whipped together in 15 minutes or less. A big thanks to those folks, and here's what they suggest:

1. It's a good idea to have a few hard-boiled eggs in the fridge -- especially for whipping up a quick and satisfying snack with high-quality protein. When chilled and peeled, it's tempting to eat the egg as is with a pinch of salt since it's so quick. But if you've got a few minutes to spare, you can transform that plain boiled egg into dazzling, palate-pleasing canapés. Just top some thin whole-grain crackers with your favorite guacamole and an egg slice. They're like miniature bites of deconstructed egg salad at 265 calories each. They're pretty and yummy, too boot!

Appetizers are like a miniature meal and not an afterthought. Here are bites that provide that satisfying combination of dietary fiber and protein. The highlight is the fresh fig, seasonally available as early as May and as late as January. While this recipe showcases the pretty side you want in an appetizer, you can let these quick-to-fix bites multitask as snack food too. (CALORIES: 215)

The term "nachos" conjures up an image of a heaping pile of greasy tortilla chips smothered with a goopy array of toppings. Talk about calorie overload! That's not what these nachos are about. Rather, the concept is loosely applied here in a healthful manner with worldly flair and refined style. Whole-grain pita chips are topped with hummus of your choice and a pickled jalapeno pepper slice or black olive. You can actually buy all three of these ingredients prepared for you; all you need to do is assemble them. Not only is this 279 calorie appetizer easy, it's a fun way to boost bean intake.

Don't you think it's OK to snack on something indulgent every once in awhile? Camembert or Brie cheese fit that description. I just try to keep portions petite then encourage savoring slowly, one bite at a time. At 255 calories per appetizer, it's easy to assemble and the presentation is lovely.

Figs rule-they are such a healthy and filling fruit. It's a pity folks don't use them more. So that said, here's another fig-related and sophisticated appetizer. Start with fresh fig halves. They're so easy to use; just remove the stem and eat the rest. If seasonal figs aren't available, cubes of seedless watermelon or large halved strawberries work well, also. To construct these luscious appetizers, you'll roll soft goat cheese into balls, position on top of the halved figs and insert a pick. To eat, just dip into aged balsamic vinegar and enjoy. (CALORIES: 235)

Finally, this might be the most time-consuming appetizer to prepare, but at only 120 calories per kabob, it's well worth the effort. Pairing chicken with a vegetable or fruit always makes a tasty and healthy treat. Here, you'll simply sprinkle chicken cubes with curry powder, put them onto skewers along with green bell pepper cubes and grill. And a great bonus to this suggestion: You can make these ahead of time, so we make extras to snack on after our gathering.