Appetizers, prepared days or weeks before and frozen, can be served piping hot in minutes with the aid of the microwave oven. Canapes with a bread or cracker base should be assembled just before warming to prevent sogginess. Place canapes on a tray or platter with an underliner of paper towels or paper napkins to absorb any moisture. If you are heating a large number of canapes, discard the paper underliner and place heated canapes on a serving plate-not merely for the sake of attractive service but also to keep the canapes from resting on a damp surface.

The microwave oven is ideal for dips and dunks of all kinds-they can be prepared long in advance, placed in serving bowls, and heated in the serving dish with no fuss or bother