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Wednesday, June 18, 2025

7 Thanksgiving Hors d’Oeuvre and Cocktail Recipes – Leite’s Culinaria


Did I ever let you know about that point I undercooked our Thanksgiving turkey? I imply significantly undercooked it? Like, made-dinner-two-hours-late undercooked? Nicely, I did, and my associates nonetheless don’t let me overlook it.

The great factor is I had loads of drinks and nibbles readily available. And nothing places a gaggle of hangry company in temper higher than booze and small bites.

Moreover saving my butt, pre-dinner drinks and nibbles are a stunning method of extending Thanksgiving. Let’s face it: Individuals anticipate (demand?) sure dishes on the Thanksgiving desk: mashed potatoes, candy potato casserole, green-bean casserole, stuffing, icebox rolls, gravy, and cranberry sauce of some kind.

With hors d’oeuvres and cocktails, you will have much more leeway. Need to specific your creativity? Go for it! Need to serve a signature drink? Please do!

With out the deeply-rooted expectations of traditional Turkey Day fare, you may serve one thing out of left subject that simply would possibly develop into subsequent yr’s custom.

David Leite's handwritten signature of 'David.'David Leite's handwritten signature of 'David.'
Golf-ball size cheese balls with pretzel stems sitting on a wooden cheese board.Golf-ball size cheese balls with pretzel stems sitting on a wooden cheese board.

Blue cheese balls are a celebration favourite and much simpler than a cheese log for company to navigate whereas juggling a glass of wine of their different hand.

When you will have an important day with your loved ones, equivalent to Christmas or Thanksgiving, you often need to rush to complete all of the aspect dishes and desserts. To have the ability to have some appetizers that may be made prematurely and are able to serve everytime you need is the factor that’s most needed by each hostess. This blue cheese balls recipe is ideal for these events. They’re not solely tasty and unique, however you can also make them the day earlier than and depart them within the fridge whilst you put together all the pieces else.

cinto f.

A cranberry margarita in a short glass with a skewer or sugared cranberries and orange zest across the top.A cranberry margarita in a short glass with a skewer or sugared cranberries and orange zest across the top.

This cranberry margarita makes a spiked cocktail for any event, whether or not Thanksgiving, Christmas, or a summer season afternoon. The swizzle sticks aren’t important but add somewhat pretty bling.

A bowl filled with Ina Garten's rosemary cashews with a sprig of rosemary on the side.A bowl filled with Ina Garten's rosemary cashews with a sprig of rosemary on the side.

Ina Garten’s rosemary cashews are candy and spicy and sure to begin conversations. The impressed mix of cayenne, brown sugar, rosemary, and salt is completely spiced and simply salty sufficient to be good with cocktails.

These cashews are straightforward and addictive! Beloved them and so did my company.

virginia

A white plate with three prosciutto-cheese gougeres with a glass of Prosecco in the background.A white plate with three prosciutto-cheese gougeres with a glass of Prosecco in the background.
For these gourgères, I went one higher by including to the batter traditional Proscuitto di Parma in addition to one of many noble cheeses of Italy, Grana Padano, together with thyme and rosemary to make sure each chew actually explodes with indulgence. Okay, maybe I’m somewhat hyperbolic. However these are certainly not your peculiar savory gougères. Certainly, a effective piece of puffery.
A chipped pot filled with apple pie moonshine, apple wedges and whole spices with a tray of glasses filled with the moonshine beside it.A chipped pot filled with apple pie moonshine, apple wedges and whole spices with a tray of glasses filled with the moonshine beside it.

This apple cider-infused cocktail, made with vodka, apple cider, lemon, ginger, and spices, could be very robust, however undeniably spectacular.

A rectangular baking dish with a block of cooked feta in the center, surrounded by halved figs and tarragon leaves.A rectangular baking dish with a block of cooked feta in the center, surrounded by halved figs and tarragon leaves.

Baked feta and figs is a powerful and straightforward appetizer that is prepared in lower than half-hour. Sliced contemporary figs are tossed in olive oil and the feta cheese is drizzled with honey. The entire thing is baked till runny and melted and gooey and unattainable to not scrape up each final chew.

With a hands-on time of 5 minutes, this extremely gentle but decadent baked feta and figs dish comes collectively very quickly and is immensely scrumptious. I subbed out the figs for contemporary blackberries however can not wait to do that once more when figs are in season. Got here out of the oven and the berries have been effervescent away of their beautiful purple juices but retained their berry form. The feta was barely puffed and lighter than air. So, so creamy!

anthony t.

Spiced cider with a cinnamon stick and orange zest, in a stemless wine glass.Spiced cider with a cinnamon stick and orange zest, in a stemless wine glass.

There may be little or no on this earth higher on a chilly evening than combining heat apple cider and bourbon with a mix of unique spices. The odor fills the room, and greater than a few these will put you in your butt. Imagine me.

FAQs

What number of hors d’oeuvres ought to I serve?

Given that you simply’ve acquired a giant meal deliberate, these are simply meant to be somewhat nibble to get pleasure from earlier than the primary occasion. Plan for sufficient that every particular person can have 3 or 4 bites of meals. For many gatherings, this can imply providing 2 or 3 hors d’oeuvres.

What can I supply to underage company or these not ingesting?

If you happen to’re providing a signature cocktail to your company, it’s a good suggestion to have a non-alcoholic model out there. Spiced apple cider might be made in giant batches and provided with or with out alcohol, or for those who’re serving a champagne cocktail, supply glowing juice as effectively.

We all know you’ve labored extremely arduous to arrange and prepare dinner probably the most anticipated meal of the yr. The above cocktails and hors d’oeuvres recipes ought to assist to maintain your hungry company happy and out of your kitchen in the course of the closing few moments of reheating sides and carving your turkey.

Most of the time, issues don’t go based on plan, and that’s okay. If you happen to don’t have the time, oven area, or fridge area to whip up a signature drink or make do-it-yourself hors d’oeuvres, simply set out some chips and dip, or fancy up a bag of microwave popcorn with spices.

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