Q. Do you have an appetizer recipe that is easy but can be served at more elegant functions?

A. It's that wonderful time of year when we are attending all sorts of work and social functions, many of which obligate us to bring an appetizer. I like this recipe for smoked salmon champagne mousse because it calls for only a few ingredients and it's an elegant departure from the party standards, such as spinach dip, cheese balls and deviled eggs. I just pulled this dish together one day when I had an opened bottle of champagne and a package of lox in my refrigerator.

The mousse is very low in calories and saturated fat because we are using fat-free sour cream as the base and the subtle flavor comes from smoked salmon and champagne. Each serving of mousse only contains 40 calories, almost zero saturated fat, and 100 milligrams of fish omega-3s.

Serve this with some nice whole-wheat crackers and this appetizer will contribute some fiber, too.

SMOKED SALMON CHAMPAGNE MOUSSE

• Cold water

• 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce envelope)

• 4 ounces lox or smoked salmon, coarsely chopped

• 1 cup fat-free sour cream (light sour cream can be substituted)

• 2 tablespoons champagne (white wine can be substituted)

• Fresh dill

Place 3 tablespoons cold water in a small saucepan and sprinkle gelatin over the top. Let this mixture stand for 5 minutes. Gently heat mixture over low heat while stirring, just until gelatin dissolves. Set mixture aside.

In food processor bowl, combine salmon, sour cream and champagne. Pulse briefly until mixture is smooth. With motor running, pour in the slightly cooled gelatin mixture and pulse just until combined.

Pour mixture into two 8-ounce serving bowls or into 6 to 8 individual appetizer cups. Cover each bowl or cup with plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm (at least 2 hours). Garnish mousse with fresh dill if desired and serve with whole wheat crackers or baguette slices.

Makes 6-8 servings.

• Per serving (just mousse) if 8 per recipe: 40 calories, 4 g protein, 5 g carbohydrate, .6 g fat, .1 g saturated fat, .3 g monounsaturated fat, .2 g polyunsaturated fat, 6 mg cholesterol, 0 g fiber, 320 mg sodium. Calories from fat: 13 percent. Omega-3 fatty acids = .1 gram, Omega-6 fatty acids = .1 gram. Weight Watchers POINTS = 1

Elaine Magee is a registered dietitian and author. Learn more at www.recipedoctor.com.