Make appetizers before Thanksgiving dinner.
Near the end of November each year, families all over the United States begin to gather and prepare to share Thanksgiving together. Some to the camaraderie and seeing relatives they may not see often. Many look forward to the cuisine as much as the gathering. Family members often sneak into the kitchen to get a piece of their favorite pie or a piece of turkey before the meal is served.
One way to curb this temptation and keep everyone satisfied is to serve Thanksgiving appetizers. Place them on trays in a room separate from the kitchen so that the cooks can cook in peace and no one complains that the food is taking too long.
Stuffed Mushrooms
Stuffed mushrooms are easy to eat as finger food and fast to make. These little treats are mushroom caps, usually white mushrooms, stuffed with a mixture of cheese and spices and as the mushrooms are baked the cheese melts slightly and the mushrooms become tender.
Look for mushrooms with caps about the size of a silver dollar for the most stuffing room. Romano and ricotta cheese are popular for stuffing these mushrooms, but you can look for a different cheese if you like. It should be a semi-soft cheese that melts easily but still has some body afterward. Brie is a poor choice while grated smoked gouda should work nicely.
Wipe mushrooms gently with a damp towel. Snap the stems off and mix up some cheese stuffing. Choose one or two cheeses from the list above; ricotta and gouda, for example, would taste good. Grate the cheeses and mix them with paprika, chives, a little garlic and some parsley. Spoon a generous amount into each mushroom cap and sprinkle them with olive oil and bread crumbs before baking.
Spicy and Sweet Fall Mix
Flavored seeds and nuts make a tasty and nutritious snack when your friends and family are waiting for dinner to be ready. These seeds and nuts are tossed in a sweet and spicy coating, then baked to make the coating crunchy. This appetizer choice is full of protein to stave off hunger but won't spoil appetites for turkey and stuffing.
Save your pumpkin seeds from Halloween by rinsing and drying them. Store them in a cool, dry place; the refrigerator is fine. When gathering your ingredients for Thanksgiving dinner, make sure to pick up some other seeds and nuts like sunflower, almonds, soy nuts and pine nuts. Keep the seeds from any squash you prepare. These seeds and nuts can make a delicious snack.
Mix up some brown sugar with a little cinnamon and nutmeg along with some chili powder and a little Cajun seasoning for kick. Pour in a little water until you have a thin paste and toss all of your seeds and nuts in the mix to coat them. Bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a few minutes until the seeds are golden brown and the sugar is caramelized. Serve warm.
Puff Pastry Breadsticks
These breadsticks are light and fluffy so they won't spoil appetites for the main meal, but their savory, cheesy flavor will keep everyone satisfied. They are also an elegant spiral shape that is pretty enough for restaurant fare.
Slice your thawed puff pastry sheets into narrow strips. Mix some parmesan cheese, garlic and other spices or cheeses that you love in a bowl and gently brush your pastry strips with olive oil. Sprinkle the cheese mixture on both sides of each strip, or dip them into the mixture, and twist the strips to form a slight coil. Place them on a baking sheet and bake according to package directions. Place in a basket under a tea towel to keep them warm.
They are best served warm, but remain tasty and soft even after they cool.
Tags: seeds nuts, brown sugar, everyone satisfied, keep everyone, keep everyone satisfied, look forward