I am invited to my in-laws every year for Thanksgiving, and every year I bring the appetizer. As I like variety, I try to bring something different every year. I don't think I'll have access to the oven, though I could use a microwave to reheat. What are your favorites to make and / or eat?
Thanks for all of your idea, ladies! I didn't include that the family is extraordinarily picky about food. You have never seen so many completely beige colored plates at Thanksgiving as with this group (due to all the food on the plate being only beige - turkey, potatoes, maybe some stuffing.
Attracted to the stuffed mushroom idea, I am going to bring stuffed mushrooms stuffed with cream cheese and sausage; I'm throwing on some parmesan for fun. I'm also reserving some for those who dislike mushrooms so that it can be eaten with a nice loaf of bread. I found the recipe at Food.com, which looks like a nice site to explore in the future.
Again, thanks for the help!
Mushroom caps stuffed with sausage & breadcrumbs, sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. You can put in a round dish or casserole so you can zap in the microwave.
I like to bring a cold asparagus salad; just asparagus tossed with soy sauce, toasted sesame oil and sugar. You can make it ahead and it travels well, and it's one of those dishes that my friends and family are always glad to see.
PM me if you want the recipe. It's super, super easy.
I always make up a salsa cream cheese dish. Take a block of cream cheese and put it on a platter or large plate. Pour salsa on top. Top with shredded cheese and surround with tortilla chips. It is a popular dish for any event.
Happy Thanksgiving!
A.
Pea salad?
Cold item.
No cooking involved.
Good
A cold plate of deli meats, salami, olives, cheeses?
Either google or go to allrecipes.com and search out "sun dried tomato pesto and cream cheese torte." OMG I have never made one but they are SO good and apparently fairly simple to prepare. YUM!!! You can serve it with either crackers or small bread slices, it's so good no one will notice the difference :)
You could do a fruit, veggie, or cheese/cracker tray...no cooking required.
I am in charge of appetizers this year at our meal. I am bringing spinach and artichoke dip. I have made this recipe several times. I usually make it the day before and event and then reheat in the microwave. I have to stop and stir it in between, but it always works well.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/artichoke--spinach-dip-resta...
The kids will make cream cheese penguin appetizers. We did it last year and they loved it and wanted to do it again.
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/Cream-Cheese-Penguins/Detail...
And just to have something simple and filling for the guys I'll make a platter of cheese, crackers and summer sausage.
I'm pretty boring but I always love to see a sourdough bread bowl filled with spinach dip or a cold cheesy fondue type dip.
In the spirit of Thanksgiving, you could maybe try a turkey meatball in sauce kept in the crockpot.
Deviled eggs, shrimp & cocktail sauce, focaccia, prosciutto melon wraps....
Here's a traditional food in our family for at least the past 4 generations: celery sticks filled with a cream cheese spread. It's a real devil and angel food, since the celery cancels out the filling. Here's my recipe:
8 oz softened cream cheese
4 oz softened butter
3-4 Tbsp finely diced onion
optional: 2-3 Tbsp finely diced sweet pepper, any color
1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
Fold ingredients together until smooth, adding favorite
paprika until mixture is colored a light peach tone.
Fill the grooves in trimmed celery sticks.
Sprinkle lightly with chopped parsley, and coarse sea salt for a
classy touch.
my friend always makes ham rolls, its deli sliced ham smeared with cream cheese (softened) thinly sliced cucumber (length wise), with diced black olives (drained and dried a bit). then roll it up and depending how long the roll is cut in half or 3rds.
I love fresh veggies and dip or a cheese/pepperoni and crackers. Spinach dip. Tons of cold ideas :).
You could get the mini phyllo cups and bake those ahead of time so that they are crunchy. Then make a filling (ham salad, cream cheese blended with veggies or salsa, etc.) and assemble when you get there (the cups turn soggy if they have a wet filling in them for long before they're needed).
Stuffed dates are a surprisingly good thing. I stuff with parm cheese, and people go crazy - and it is super easy. cheese & crackers, deviled eggs, a veggie platter.
Fruit tray, veggies & dip, cheese or cheese ball &crackers, spinach dip & pitas? Those are pretty basic, but always go over really well at our parties. Have a happy Thanksgiving!
I bought marinated mozzerella balls...I'm going to cut them in half, cut in half cherry tomatoes...then spear tomato, fresh basil, moz cheese, then tomato again on tooth picks. Then pour remaining marinade over platter and sprinkle with salt and pepper. No oven needed:-)
My sister makes the most incredible spinach artichoke dip. It's good either hot OR cold!
I'm making a dip of pepper relish and cream cheese mixed together - it's good with tortilla chips. Or you could do a spinach dip or dill dip with carrot sticks or baby carrots. Or a ring of shrimp cocktail. Or cheese ball with crackers.
My parents used to make this cracker spread that consisted of a block of cream cheese with cocktail sauce mixed with tiny canned shrimp poured over it.
