ONE MORE BITE

Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy family, friends, and, of course, delicious food. Though we love our guests, sometimes we just need them to stay clear of the kitchen so we can do our magic getting the food on the table.

One way to keep guests out of the kitchen is to set out an appetizer before sitting down to the big meal. Entertain guests with our Thanksgiving Autumn Salad, a unique "antipasto" full of seasonal flavors to spark interest and intrigue. Fresh arugula is dressed with a maple mustard vinaigrette, then mounded on a large platter surrounded by unique autumn delicacies. 

Roasted Bartlett pears, beautifully caramelized; paper-thin slices of Serrano ham; wedges of sweet dried figs in the La Gruta Fig Cake; chunks of aged Maytag blue cheese, and toasted hazelnuts all work together for the ultimate fall flavor combination. You can even switch up the ingredients to fit your own taste. Try roasting sweet potatoes or rainbow carrots for a colorful twist. Instead of blue cheese try applewood-smoked Gouda, or try adding fresh pomegranate for a burst of color and flavor. Your guests can choose what they like to mix in with their greens. 

This casual, family-style appetizer allows your guests to "graze," talk and relax, while you tend to the turkey and sides. Our recipe for Sweet Potato Biscuits with Maple Bacon Butter is the perfect accompaniment to this appetizer, which will keep your guests occupied and satisfied until you are ready to serve the main course. Setting out some wine and sparkling cider won't hurt, either!

If you're feeling a little stressed about the holiday, don't worry. Check out our blog post Don't Panic, It's Just Thanksgiving for some tips to help you get organized. Find menu ideas, recipes and other suggestions for simplifying holiday preparations in our online Holiday section.