Pre-Thanksgiving Bites

My family always has a pre-Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner round of appetizers and drinks as I am sure many other families do too.  There is plenty of time to nibble while the turkey/roast/ham is cooking in the oven, while family members are stuck in traffic jams, while the chef frantically looks for a replacement dessert (burnt apple pie or stale graham crackers with chocolate syrup?)…Some of us think, “Just a bite or two before the main event”, and some of us think, “Let’s graze for the few hours before the main event.”  I am definitely a grazer and I have all of my holiday favorites requested beforehand, such as my Grandmother’s Famous Cheese Balls and her Mushroom Tarts (unfortunately there isn’t even a recipe to share for these!).  My sisters and I traditionally buy very exotic and fragrant cheeses and dips to try with fresh rustic breads and locally made flat breads.  Everyone will have a favorite appetizer for the holidays and below are some ideas with links to recipes, all inspired by Thanksgiving/Christmas dinners past.

Some “less is more” options:
• Spiced Pecans or Herbed Spiced Nuts
• Stuffed Mushrooms
• Cold Shrimp Cocktail
• Cheese Tray with Artisanal Flat breads and Crackers
• Veggie Tray with Gourmet Dips (Beet, Chickpea and Almond dip, perhaps?)
• Fresh Fruit

Some “more is more” options:
• Cheddar Cheese Straws
• Mushroom Tarts
• Crab Cakes
• Spanakopita
• 1960s Swedish Meatballs
• Seven-layer Tex-Mex dip
• Filo-wrapped and Baked Brie

 

Thanks to Artisanal Premium Cheese, My Recipes, and Epicurious for the mouth watering pictures and recipes.