Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

Thanksgiving is an occasion where the entire family gets an opportunity to bond and share some quality time together. The accompaniment of good food will only add to the delight of this family feast. One of the most important courses in any thanksgiving menu are the thanksgiving day appetizers. The thanksgiving appetizers menu should have a wide variety of dishes to choose from like soups, dips, quiches and tarts. It is important that you carefully choose the appetizer recipes keeping in mind what your family would like, and you should also try to get a little experimental with the appetizer recipes. So, here are some delicious and easy recipes for you.

Appetizer Ideas for Thanksgiving

The thanksgiving appetizer recipes mentioned below can be used to prepare some yummy, healthy as well as nutritious dishes. These are easy to prepare and will not require much preparation or cooking time.

Spinach Pear and Parmesan Salad

Ingredients
1/2 cup coarsely grated parmesan cheese
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
8 cups baby spinach leaves
2 pears
2 teaspoons whole-grain mustard
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions
Stem, rinse and dry the spinach leaves and keep aside. Cut the pears lengthwise into long, thin slices with the peel on. Put the pears and spinach into a large glass bowl and sprinkle the grated cheese on them. Then, prepare the dressing by mixing olive oil, mustard, salt, sugar, vinegar and mustard in a jar with a lid. Shake this thoroughly and pour over the salad. Toss this gently and serve.

Cherry Tomato Bruschetta

Ingredients
1 small loaf semolina bread
4 cups of small cherry tomatoes
Grated cheese
8 tablespoons of garlic-flavored oil
salt
pepper

Directions
Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the semolina bread into 16 inch thin slices and place them on a cookie sheet in the preheated oven to toast until crisp and brown on both sides. Then remove them from the oven and place them in a plate. Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes and cut them into half. Place a non-stick pan or skillet on high heat and heat around 5 tablespoons of the garlic oil. Cook the tomatoes in this oil for about 5 minutes until they soften up. Add some pepper and salt for taste. Then put the tomato mixture on the bread, sprinkle some grated cheese and garlic oil on it and serve.

Garlic Cheese Balls

Ingredients
2 ounce cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup butter
1 tablespoon prepared mustard
1 teaspoon garlic, minced
1 packaged ranch dressing mix
1 cup chopped walnuts

Directions
In a medium glass bowl, add the cream cheese, butter, mustard, garlic and the dressing mix and mix them together by stirring the mixture. Make sure all the ingredients have mixed well and then place this in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, form balls out of the mixture and set aside. Spread the chopped walnuts in a plate, roll the cheese balls to coat them and then serve.

Fall Chopped Salad

Ingredients
1 Honey crisp apple
1 tsp lemon juice
2 tbsp white balsamic vinegar
1 head radicchio, chopped
1/2 cup reduced fat gouda
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 cup almonds, chopped
2 endives, chopped

Directions
Cut the apple into match-stick size strips and put it into a large bowl. Add some lime juice, endive, gouda, radicchio and almonds to it. For the dressing, in a separate bowl add the olive oil, black pepper and honey and whisk these together into a fine liquid mixture. Pour this into the salad and toss gently.

Turkey Crackers

Ingredients
Crackers (your family's favorite)
Cheese spread or softened cream cheese
Crunchy chowmein noodles

Directions
Lay out the crackers in a large plate and space them out evenly. Then, spread the cheese or cream cheese on these crackers. Lastly, arrange the crunchy chowmein noodles in different patterns over the crackers. Use jelly or jam as a topping.

Cheddar Goldfish Crackers

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
8 ounces grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground pepper
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon honey
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Directions
Prepare the dough by mixing the flour with some butter, cheese, salt and pepper into a coarse mixture. Add water as and when required. When it is done, remove it onto a plastic wrap and place it to cool for about 20 minutes. Prepare the spread by mixing some salt, peanut butter and honey, whisk it well until its smooth. Then, preheat the oven to 350°F and use parchment paper for baking to line the baking pan. Roll the dough into equal thickness and use a fish shaped cookie cutter to cut out the crackers. Place these in the baking pan and bake until they turn golden and crisp. Then cool the crackers are serve the spread on it.

Hope you enjoy preparing these appetizers as much as I enjoyed compiling them for you. Brace yourself for all the compliments and praises that you will receive after your friends and family have enjoyed these thanksgiving appetizer ideas and recipes.