GretchRuns Thanksgiving : Part 4 [Appetizers]

Today is the finale of my Thanksgiving series!  If you missed the others, I shared desserts, drinks, and side dishes.  Now it's time for some appetizers- probably my favorite part of any holiday meal!  Does anyone else fill up on the snacks and little bites before the main course is served?  I swear, I could have a meal just consisting of chips and dip.


Today I'll be sharing some delicious appetizer ideas that each call for less than five ingredients, take just a few minutes to assemble, and are bite sized pieces of deliciousness!

Traditional Caprese Salad Bites

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Ingredients : cherry tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, balsamic glaze

 Directions : On a toothpick, skewer a cherry tomato, piece of basil, and mini mozzarella ball.  Serve with a balsamic dipping sauce or glaze.  

Rosemary Caprese Salad Bites

source
Ingredients : cherry tomatoes, rosemary, mozzarella, balsamic glaze

 Directions : Trim the leaves off the bottoms of a rosemary branch. Skewer a mozzarella ball, then a tomato.  Serve with this sauce.

Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites

source
Ingredients : cucumber, cream cheese, dill, smoked salmon

 Directions : Peel a cucumber, and slice into 1/4 inch rounds. Mix 8 ounces of cream cheese with fresh dill (I use a big handful, but you can do this to taste).  Spread on the cucumbers, and top with a bite sized piece of smoked salmon.  

Cranberry and Orange Crostini

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Ingredients : cream cheese, brioche toast, cranberry sauce, orange zest

 Directions : Spread cream cheese on a brioche toast or crostini.  Top with cranberry sauce and orange zest.

Bacon Wrapped Lil Smokies

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Ingredients : lil' smokies, bacon, brown sugar

 Directions : Wrap about 1/3 of a slice of bacon around a lil' smokie, allowing a little bit of overlap.  Pierce with a toothpick to secure, and place on a foil lined baking sheet.  Repeat with remainder of smokies, and sprinkle with brown sugar.  Bake for 15-20 minutes in a 400 degree oven and serve immediately!


What's your favorite appetizer?
Are you a sides lover or do you like the main course?
What are your Thanksgiving plans?

Comments

  1. PeggyNovember 24, 2015 at 4:28 AM

    Hope you make lil smokies for thanksgiving. Yum.

    ReplyDelete
  2. LesleyNovember 24, 2015 at 5:38 AM

    I love bite-sized appetizers. A coworker make the caprese salad sticks and they were amazing. I'll have to save the cranberry and orange crostini since that looks like a good breakfast item.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 25, 2015 at 3:01 PM

      That's a great idea! I didnt even think about that.

      Delete
  3. Heather [is probably running]November 24, 2015 at 5:51 AM

    Well I don't eat turkey, so I am all about the sides! Stuffing (veggie), homemade mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, cheesy potatoes, green bean casserole...pretty much any side dish! And pie. Lots of pie.

    My family does a Thanksgiving dinner as a late lunch and then later in the night when we start feeling snacky we get out the appetizer type things.

    ReplyDelete
  4. UnknownNovember 24, 2015 at 7:34 AM

    Gretch, you're killin' me here. Appies are by far my favourite food group. They are the only reason I will ever agree to go to wedding or baby showers (I love weddings and babies but I haaaaate all the cluck clucking of all the women sitting around judging and gossiping... GAH... trauma) but yes, appies are the reason for the season.

    ReplyDelete
  5. UnknownNovember 24, 2015 at 8:16 AM

    Side dishes have always been my favorite, even before I became a meatless eater.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Laura NorrisNovember 24, 2015 at 10:01 AM

    Love the idea of a cranberry sauce crostini! Homemade cranberry sauce is one of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. While I love turkey, apps and sides are my favorites.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunNovember 25, 2015 at 3:03 PM

      I love cranberry sauce! It makes the perfect addition to so many foods :)

      Delete
  7. Kristen @ See You In A PorridgeNovember 25, 2015 at 6:03 AM

    those salad bites look so good!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jess @hellotofitNovember 27, 2015 at 8:13 AM

    Okay, these all look fabulous :) great little round-up here, Gretch!!

    ReplyDelete

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