You all know how I feel about those ‘glossy magazine’ stories featuring absurd numbers of variations on a certain culinary theme. Now, Delish! is offering us ’62 Appetizers [That] Might Just Be The Best Part Of Thanksgiving’. I’ve winnowed the list down to 6 ‘winners’…
The updated, enhanced, altogether yummy, newstalgic Festive Cheese Log…
I’ve railed against the monster recipe listicles that food/cooking sites such as Delish! regularly post. And I’ve suggested that many of the entries in those compendia are either redundant or just not that special.
So today, I’m going to take my editorial chainsaw to the latest Delish! extravaganza: ’62 Appetizers [That] Might Just Be The Best Part Of Thanksgiving’.
The few, the proud… The truly yummy…
Not to disparage the US Marine Corps motto – they’re actually considering changing it soon, anyway – but I’ve gone through the Delish! list and extracted the 6 very best items, IMHO, of all. Some I’ve featured before (in one form or another); others are new to me – and probably to you, too.
Here we go…
Luxe Cranberry Cheese Cheese Roll
I know… a majority of average folks – and FFB readers, too – consider cheese rolls/logs passé. But this one is truly a classic, with a side of newstalgia. I’m impressed by the generous fruit and nut content of the cheese mixture – as well as the truly festive top-garnish which constitutes a significant part of the item’s overall content all by itself.
The honey and fresh thyme are inspired additions. Of course, you can leave out the nuts or substitute them for another earthy, crunchy component. Likewise the honey, which can be swapped for Maple Syrup!
Green Bean Casserole Bites
Yet another oldie (which has fallen out of favour with many), but one that is overdue for a classy newstaligic update. it’s easy to make – just takes a little fussing (prep time). But it’s well worth it.
You can use store-bought Puff Pastry, and juggle the veggie ingredients as you wish. I’ll vol
Air Fryer Deviled Eggs
Another classic updated for the 2020s! But you’ll hardly recognise it in its new livery. I refer to crispy breaded Air-Fried Deviled Eggs. Separate the yolks from the hard boiled whites as usual…
Then set up a standard breading line to coast the whites with bread crumbs. And and air fry them until they’re just golden brown and crispy on the outside. Then pepare the yolks as usual and load into a piping bag to fill the finished whites… (Let the breaded whites cool to room temp before filing…)
Caramelized Onion Dip
One of my all-time fave party nibbles. I make my updated Onion Dip with the usual blend of cream cheese, at least one other soft cheese (Brie, Goat, Camembert, Feta, or whatever). Then blend in a couple of big spoonfuls of sweet, caramelized Vidalia, Spanish or Bermuda onions. Sprinkle with chopped fresh thyme or rosemary on top…
Access the secret to Natalie’s amazing caramelized onions via my post on upgraded French Onion Soup, from September, 2024.
Maple Cranberry Baked Brie Bites
Again, you can use store bought puff pastry. Divide into squares. Place a nugget of Brie or Goat Cheese or whatever you like (could even be fresh Mozzarella) into the centre of the pastry square and top with a dollop of whole-berry cranberry sauce sweetened with a few teaspoons of maple Syrup. Fold the corner points in, over the top, leaving open ‘seams’ to tease the cranberry mixture.
Bake until the pastry has puffed and turned a classic golden brown. Make lots. These go fast.
Muhammara Dip
I’m substituting my favourite recipe for this little-known-outside-of-Korea hot pepper condiment. Like Kin Chi, Koreans eat it with/on just about everything.
It’s blazing read colour, meaty consistency and unique flavour all set it apart from other hot pepper sauces/dips. Hint: You can cut the heat a little and make it more ‘dippy’ by adding a dose of whipped cream cheese according to your personal taste…
My take
Let my parting words be your spiritual guide to Thanksgiving nibbles: If you use your culinary experience, intuition and imagination, you can easily narrow down whole cook books full of recipes to a manageable half dozen or so. And you really can’t go wrong!
~ Maggie J.