You can think about Thanksgiving appetizers in two ways. People look forward to the entree and dessert, so you don't want to fill them up in advance. Guests are starving as they wait for the turkey and pies to finish cooking. A talented host will balance these two points of view by serving light, seasonal appetizers that make for good munching but don't detract from the main event.
Instructions
1. Serve a savory pumpkin dip with crackers, bread or vegetables. The dip can be made with pumpkin puree, cream cheese and other cheeses; pumpkin puree and peanut butter; hulled pumpkin seeds ground to a powder; even pumpkin puree, roasted garlic and cannelloni beans.
2. Go wild with apples, which are so crisp and fresh at Thanksgiving. Chop them in a Waldorf salad, bake them with brie on bread (a kind of bruschetta), or serve them with cheese fondue. Remember to sprinkle apple slices with lemon juice to keep them from turning brown.
3. Make a cheese ball and cover it with chopped nuts. Depending on your taste, it can be packed with flavor (think blue cheese, garlic, Tabasco sauce) or pretty tame (cream cheese and cheddar). A cheese ball is more festive than plain cheese and crackers, and you can prepare it the day before. In fact, most recipes suggest that so the flavors will meld. For a seasonal touch, serve sliced pears, Asian pears or apples on the side.
4. Dress up nuts as a simple, fun appetizer. Spiced nuts are always a hit. Also, keep the kids busy before dinner with nutcrackers and a bowl filled with unshelled nuts. For a challenge, tell the kids to try to keep the nuts whole while they're cracking them.
Tags: pumpkin puree, cheese ball, cream cheese, them with
