Thanksgiving is a time for gratitude, family, and of course, a delicious feast. If you’re hosting this year, streamline your preparations with delightful make-ahead appetizers. These will add flair to your Thanksgiving celebration and also save you the hassle of preparing a grand meal on the day of Thanksgiving itself!
Cranberry Brie Bites
Ingredients:
- One 8 oz. round of Brie cheese
- Pre-made puff pastry
- One can of cranberry sauce
- Finely chopped walnuts or pecans
- Pinch of sea salt
Instructions:
Begin by rolling out puff pastry into a rectangle, laying the foundation for the perfect base. To ease the cutting process, give the brie a brief chill in the freezer. Now, assemble your masterpiece by pressing the pastry squares into a muffin tin and layering with cranberry sauce, brie, walnuts, and a pinch of sea salt. Let the assembled bites chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. When it’s time to impress, bake in a preheated oven until golden brown, and you’re done!
Sausage Balls
Ingredients:
- 1 lb. breakfast sausage
- 2 cups of shredded Cheddar cheese
- 3 cups of buttermilk baking mix
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to a toasty 400°F. Begin by combining a pound of breakfast sausage, 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese, and approximately 2 cups of buttermilk baking mix. Gradually introduce the remaining 1 cup of baking mix, ensuring a perfect balance. Now roll the mixture into balls, each measuring about 1 to 1 1/2 inches in diameter. For an extra touch of texture and flavor, gently coat them in any excess baking mix. Place these bite-sized wonders on a nonstick baking sheet and bake these savory spheres for 20 minutes or until they achieve a golden brown hue.
Spinach Dip
Ingredients:
- 1 16 oz. container of sour cream
- 1 cup of mayonnaise
- a 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
- 4 oz.can of water chestnuts, drained and chopped
- 1 1.8 oz. package dry leek soup mix
- 1 1 lb. loaf round sourdough bread
Instructions:
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir. Let the mixture chill in the fridge overnight. When it’s time to serve, present the spinach dip in a hollowed-out sourdough bread bowl.
Cheese Sticks
Ingredients:
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry
- ¼ cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese
- 5tablespoons of freshly shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
- 2 teaspoons of olive oil
- 1 pinch of cayenne pepper
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Preheat your oven to 400°F, line a baking sheet, and unfold a slightly thawed puff pastry sheet. Brush it with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with cayenne, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle with white Cheddar and Parmigiano-Reggiano. Press toppings with plastic wrap, cut into strips and twist each into a rolled tube. Sprinkle more Parmigiano-Reggiano, then bake at 400°F for 10 minutes, flip, and bake for an additional 10-20 minutes until browned and crisp. Cool on a wire rack before serving.