Everybody Loves Cheese

• Any and all cheese spreads pair well with apple slices -- use a store-bought variety or make your own Southern pimento cheese or cheese ball with cheddar, cream cheese and blue cheese. Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice onto the apple slices first so they don't turn brown, and then apply a thick layer of the cheese spread. Let the appetizers come to room temperature so the flavors of the cheese and the apple are at their fullest.

Butter and Cheese

• Both butter and cheese provide a richness that balances the apple's tanginess. Combine a stick of softened butter with 1 pound of soft cheese, either farmer's cheese, cream cheese or mascarpone. Process the butter and cheese until it's spreadable and stir in flavorings, such as finely diced shrimp, lemon juice and finely minced red onions; minced scallions, chopped capers, smoked paprika and Dijon mustard; or minced scallions and bacon bits.

Incredible Transformations

• If you keep an open mind, you may find your favorite apple entree will work as a spread once your process it in a food processor or blender to turn it into a spread. Ham, pork or chicken livers pair well with apples and turn into spreads when blended with a little butter, some apple cider or apple brandy for a moistener and a bit of lemon zest to brighten the mix.

From One Appetizer to Another

• If you like to serve toasted and flavored nuts an an appetizer, blend those nuts with a little canola or olive oil to create a savory nut spread for the apple slices. Walnuts or almonds and rosemary or thyme are all flavors that work with apples. If you have a favorite artichoke or spinach dip, alter the recipe to turn it into a spread by processing the ingredients with less liquid and more Parmesan cheese to turn the dips into thicker spreads.