Thanksgiving Appetizers

Clockwise from top left: A Simple Cheese Plate; Apple Parmesan Basil Bites; Whipped Feta Crostini; Simple Mushroom Crostini

My sister & I were talking about how we usually don't eat much the day of Thanksgiving - until we get to "the Thanksgiving" portion of the day.  If you're the same way you probably think the appetizers  (or antipasto at my Grandma's house) portion of the night is key since it might be one of the first things you're eating that day (besides all the tasting while cooking, of course).  These were some of my favorite simple, light appetizers from previous posts that I think would be great for Thanksgiving this year.

What are you making for appetizers?

Simple Cheese Plate at Home

I live on cheese, olives & wine.  It might be one of my favorite ways to spend the happy hours of the day.  Cheese plates seem so chi-chi but really they are incredibly easy to whip up & enjoy.  I put this cheese plate together while we were waiting for our dinner to finish cooking. I think the best way to make a good cheese plate is to combine salty with sweet with a variety of textures. I love olives, but Chris does not, so for my salty element I used some garlicky dill pickles.  I used two cheeses, one hard (parmesan that I shaved with a veggie peeler) and one soft (goat cheese that I cut into crumbly rounds).  My sweet element was fresh clementine segments.  I always love something I can spread so I used the last of the spinach & kale pesto that I had made.  A delicious vehicle for this spread is just as important. Lucky for me there's a bakery around the corner. Even luckier for me, I have a husband who was willing to grab some fresh bread.  Cheese plates are of course delicious with wine.  I know there's a whole sommelier science behind it but I say, drink what you like in good company & if the weather permits - enjoy it all outside.

Happy weekend y'all ;)

Zucchini Noodles with Tomato, Garlic & Parmesan

I have this veggie peeler that makes me look like I have chef-like knife skills. It can be used like a regular vegetable peeler & in minutes you have finely julienned (fancy world for thinly sliced) vegetables. I use it to make zucchini noodles (read: thin strips of zucchini that look like spaghetti noodles). If you don't have this particular peeler you can use a regular peeler & call make wide noodles or call them fettuccine or pappardelle if you like - it will still make for a delicious dish.

I tossed mine with tomatoes, garlic, olive oil & parmesan cheese but they're great with pesto or even just a light drizzle of olive oil with salt & pepper. What's even better about zucchini noodles is you don't have to cook them. Nope, no cooking. 

Apple Parmesan Basil Bites

I love salty & sweet snacks. Sometimes I just can't choose between the two so to have the best of both worlds in one bite is ideal for my tastebuds. These apple parmesan basil bites are the perfect solution, not to mention super easy to make & they look pretty chic too.  I think they'd be great for a cheese plat at wine club too. You can make them with just three simple ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• Paremesan cheese block
• 2 tablespoons fresh basil

Make it:

1. Wash & thinly slice an apple.
2. Use a vegetable peeler to shave a block of Parmesan cheese. Make equal amounts of shavings per apple slices.
3. Tightly roll about 3 fresh basil leaves & slice thinly.
4. Arrange all components delicately on a plate, alternating apple, cheese, basil.