Quick Thanksgiving Appetizer Ideas

With Thanksgiving quickly approaching now is the time to start planning diner menus. Regardless of the size of your party you may want to offer appetizers as a way to keep your guests happy. Appetizers are usually served while waiting for all guests's to arrive prior to serving the main menu.

Simplicity comes to mind if you are working on a large more complex meals. Simplicity style appetizers range from different varieties of cheese and crackers trays, cut up vegetables and dip or fruit and cream cheese dips, jams, or melted chocolate.

Appetizers that call for the use of shell fish such as jumbo shrimp, you will want to ensure that no shell fish comes into contact with any other food due to severe food allergies. If any of your recipes call for shell fish it may be considerate to place a sign next to the appetizer warning of the use of shell fish. This would also apply to items that contain peanuts.

Easy and Elegant Tapenade

1 lb. of black olives (pitted)

4 anchovies

2 cloves of garlic

¼ c. of capers

Olive Oil

Combine all items into food processor and blend until you have a course paste. Adding olive oil as needed to achieve the thickness of blend desired. Serve with cut small pieces of bread or fancy crackers.

Scallops and Bacon

Medium Sized Scallops

Bacon

Wrap scallops with bacon, use toothpick to secure. Broil scallops, turning at least once, when bacon has fully cooked remove from broiler.

Pigs in a Blanket

Frozen Pastry Dough

Hot Dogs

Egg

Cut hot dogs into small bite sized pieces. Roll hot dog in a small strip of pastry dough. Beat egg and brush pastry dough. Bake at 450 until pastry dough is golden brown. Add condiments such as fancy flavored ketchup or spicy brown mustard.