What would you serve houseguests prior to Thanksgiving dinner?
Family members coming for the Thanksgiving holiday. I traditionally cook a big, big dinner, and I have found that while I am working feverishly the day/night before and half of Thanksgiving day on the dinner, my guests tend to mill around and are starving up until the meal is served. I wanted a few ideas on something quick that does not require any extra use of the oven that I could whip up for them to nosh on prior to dinner. I usually serve dinner at 6:30pm. Help!
October 30th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
Queso with ground beef in it and tortilla chips
Stuffed mushrooms
Pigs in a blanket
Fruit kabobs!!!
October 30th, 2010 at 8:24 pm
mini sandwiches. chips and queso. hot wings.
October 30th, 2010 at 9:19 pm
Don’t make anything. If you give them food before dinner they are going to be full for the big big dinner you make. That’s part of thanksgiving saving your appetite for dinner
October 30th, 2010 at 9:41 pm
This dip and the following cheese log should satiate them for a while. BUT, the smell of the turkey will stimulate the appetites. BTW, the cheese log is outstanding.
Baked Artichoke Dip
2 14 ounce cans artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
¾ cup fat free or lite mayonnaise
1 T fresh lemon juice
1 t garlic salt
½ t ground black pepper
Pita bread or crackers, for serving
In a large bowl combine all ingredients except the bread or crackers. Spoon the mixture into a baking dish suitable for serving.
Bake at 375 degrees for about 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Serve with slices of pita bread or whole wheat crackers
Cheese Logs
1 – 8 ounce package cream cheese – softened
1 jar cheddar cheese spread – softened
2 teaspoons red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic salt
1 cup finely chopped pecans
Mix 1st 4 ingredients thoroughly, roll in chopped pecans. Wrap in waxed paper and chill until serving.
October 30th, 2010 at 10:41 pm
Keep it simple and light if possible.
Veggies and dip
Fresh fruit (a bunch of grapes is easy)
Cheese and crackers
Nuts and chips/salsa
October 30th, 2010 at 11:17 pm
maybe they can go down the road to eat like fast food if they are that hungry…
October 30th, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Gee whiz, maybe you’d better pare your TG meal down a bit! Sounds like a burden on you AND your guests.
You can do a make-ahead brakfast casserole that you can pull ou tof the fridge and pop in the oven TG morning for breakfast. Break out that spiral sliced ham you have for TG and let them have some of it w/ the breakfast casserole.
Put someone in charge of grilling HB’s or HD’s outside (out of the kitchen, out of your way) for lunch. Have some potato or pasta salad in the fridge to go along with it all.
Then put yoru guests to work. They don’t enjoy you slaving in the kitchen while they just stand around. Let them chop veggies, make a salad, stuff deviled eggs, set the table, what-have-you. It’s their holiday, too.
October 31st, 2010 at 12:32 am
Bless your heart.
1. Close the kitchen door and ask that no one enters.
2. Pick up a couple of trays of finger sandwiches and/or fruit and raw veggies from the supermarket. They even have shrimp trays and other good stuff. But don’t serve too much or they will not be hungry for the big dinner.
3. How about nonalcoholic eggnog. Or a nice fruit drink.
4. I know you will hate this, but turn on the TV. If you have a VCR or DVD player, put on one of the newest movies for them to watch.
Have a great day.
October 31st, 2010 at 1:03 am
Cream Cheese or Pimento Cheese on Celery Sticks
Bowl of Almonds or Mixed Nuts
Deviled Eggs
Chips and Hot Sauce
Good luck!