• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Joy the Baker
Joy the Baker
  • Cookies
  • Bread
  • Cakes
  • Pies
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Cookies
    • Birthday Cake Recipes
    • Biscuits
    • Muffins
    • Cupcakes
    • Drinks
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Fruit
    • Nuts
    • Buttermilk
    • Chocolate
    • Vanilla
    • Holiday
    • Healthy
    • Gluten-Free
    • Vegan
  • Blog
    • Baking 101
    • Tips
    • Beyond the Kitchen
    • Let It Be Sunday!
    • New Orleans
  • Shop
Watch VideoRead CommentsLeave a Review

Three Great Ways To Ruin Your Appetite on Thanksgiving

November 21, 2022 by Joy the Baker 9 Comments

Three easy Thanksgiving appetizers that are worth ruining your appetite over. I mean… are you really looking forward to turkey?  I didn’t think so. :)

One of the most under-appreciated aspects of adulthood is SNACKING, grazing, fiddling with the olive jar inside the open refrigerator door.  I snack so regularly, I often ruin my appetite come dinner – a major sin growing up, but an absolute luxury as an adult. Is it really ruined if the snacking was a pleasure?

Snacking doesn’t stall with a big important meal like Thanksgiving looming.  On the contrary – the pre Thanksgiving snack is an opportunity to make ruining appetites extra elite.  I take great pleasure in luxurious but easy thanksgiving appetizers.  They’re hit all the spots: savory and sweet, heat and spice. Something worth hovering over the kitchen counter for. Feel no guilt about the Thanksgiving meal itself – we all know the leftovers are better, anyway.

Here are three easy and extra delicious Thanksgiving appetite ruiners. We glug the olive oil, stuff some dates, and drizzle honey over apples. It’s all a delight, and someone else can deal with the big bird, right?

SALTY: Marinated Olives with Roasted Garlic and Feta

In a bowl place your favorite mix of green and black olives. Add several glugs of the fanciest olive oil you have in the pantry.  Add the juice of half a lemon or a few tablespoons of red wine vinegar.  Add roasted garlic cloves, a hearty amount of crumbled, feta, sea salt, and fresh cracked black pepper. Nestle in any fresh herbs and the ride of either lemon or orange.  Chill until ready to serve and enjoy with thick crackers or bread wedges.  See also: Muffuletta Deviled Eggs



SWEET SALY SPICIE: Dates stuffed with Salami and Manchego

Split whole dates and remove the pit. Stuff with a slice of thick salami and a small slice of manchego (goat cheese would also be nice). Sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes  or smoky paprika flakes and serve at room temperature with a side of arugula leaves and pomegranate seeds. Wealth. 

SALTY SWEET: Melon and Prosciutto

Use a melon baller (or a round tablespoon spoon) to scoop ripe melon into spheres. Place on a metal cocktail or bamboo pick along with a very thinly sliced piece of prosciutto. Refrigerate until your guests arrive.  Serve with honey drizzled apple wedges and little pickles.  See also: Bite-Size Baked Brie in Puff Pastry. 

Happy snacking, my friends! Have the most lovely holiday!

xo

Previous PostNext Post

Categories: Holiday, Recipes

Previous Post: «
Next Post: The Better Baker Gift Guide and Giveaway »

Reader Interactions

All Comments
I Made This
Questions
  1. Lori

    November 23, 2022 at 5:34 am

    What lovely ideas and gorgeous photos!

    Reply
  2. Taylor

    November 22, 2022 at 8:25 pm

    “Who ate all the olives?!”

    Hi, it’s me. I’m the problem. It’s me.

    Reply
  3. Morgan

    November 22, 2022 at 2:59 pm

    I laugh out loud *at least once a week while reading your posts. It’s me. I’m the lady fiddling with the olive jar standing in an open fridge. Happy Thanksgiving Joy! You were the first blog I ever read way back in 2010 and I have not stopped since.

    Reply
    • Joy the Baker

      November 22, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      We must be sisters. :)

      Reply
  4. Marlena

    November 22, 2022 at 10:21 am

    Olives and dates make everything better. Thanks for the reminder!

    Reply
  5. Fc

    November 22, 2022 at 6:59 am

    Yummy!
    Beautiful sweater! Where is it from?

    Reply
    • Joy the Baker

      November 22, 2022 at 7:31 pm

      It’s from Sezane!

      Reply
  6. Shirley Hall

    November 22, 2022 at 5:50 am

    Great pic, gorgeous top!! Happy Thanks/Friendsgivingl!

    Reply
  7. Dani H

    November 22, 2022 at 5:18 am

    These all sound so good! Thank you!

    Happy Thanksgiving, Joy!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

RELATED POSTS IN Holiday

Oscars 2023 Party Menu

Since I was raised on movies, the Oscars ceremony is my Super Bowl. I look forward to it all year long and always try to watch all the contenders. Of course I’m in it for the films, the celebs, and the clothes. But I also love a good theme party—who doesn’t? My ideal Oscars party…

Read More

A New Orleans King Cake baked in a cast iron skillet
My 10 Best King Cake Recipes

A King Cake recipe for every year I’ve lived in New Orleans – cinnamon-scented, pecan-filled, with yeast or without, super simple to make or deliciously complex. Whether you want your King Cake sweet or savory, your perfect recipe is here.  I love dancing in the street every Mardi Gras season but Mardi Gras is also…

Read More

overhead shot of Mardi Gras toast on individual vintage plates
King Cake-Inspired Easy Bostock

This Bostock toast is a delightful marriage of toast and almond croissant. Toast turns pastry.  We’re topping these toasts with orange marmalade and sliced almonds inspired by my favorite almond-filled french King Cake. It’s Mardi Gras, friends!  The big BIG weekend and Fat Tuesday are just days away and who would I be if I…

Read More

Primary Sidebar

Fresh baked emails, delivered to your inbox

Jump to Recipe

Receive recipes from Joy the Baker and updates on events at The Bakehouse.

HI! I’M JOY!

Jump to Recipe

Welcome! This has been my little corner of the internet since 2008!

I’m a baker, photographer, cookbook author and teacher.  I live laugh love in New Orleans. 

MORE ABOUT JOY AND THE TEAM

BOOKS + Magazines

Jump to Recipe

JOY THE BAKER 2022 SUMMER MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2021 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

JOY THE BAKER 2020 HOLIDAY MAGAZINE

HOMEMADE DECADENCE

OVER EASY: SWEET AND SAVORY RECIPES FOR LEISURELY DAYS COOKBOOK

JOY THE BAKER COOKBOOK

Jump to Recipe
joy the baker on facebook joy the baker on twitter pinterest-social instagram-socialbloglovin-social

JOY @ WILLIAMS SONOMA

Jump to Recipe

SHOP THE CAKE LINE OF CAKE MIXES!

DRAKE ON CAKE

Jump to Recipe

Passionate from miles away since 2015.

CHECK IT OUT ON INSTAGRAM

Drake on cake instagram.

 

BREADS YOU’LL LOVE

jambalaya buttermilk biscuits in a row

Smoked Sausage Jambalaya Buttermilk Biscuits

inside of warm cinnamon roll on plate

How To Make The Best Single Serve Cinnamon Roll

Orange roll on a plate with a fork.

Christmas Morning Orange Rolls

LET’S MAKE COOKIES!

a stack of white chocolate macadamia nut cookies with a bite taken out of the top one with milk

Classic White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies

wider shot of lemon bars stacked on a plate with a bite taken out of one lemon bar

My Favorite Classic Lemon Bars Recipe

completed recipe close up shot of a blondie so the toasted almonds, chocolate chips, and sea salt can be seen

My Best Classic Blondie Recipe

Footer

Instagram

joythebaker

📚Baker, author of books, lover of butter
🎂Creator @drakeoncake
📝Inquiries megan@underscoretalent.com
🍰 Products with @williamssonoma

joythebaker
You know those particularly messy sandwiches that, You know those particularly messy sandwiches that, when you pick up, you know you can’t put down until they’re good and gone? These Milk and Cereal Bars are the ice cream version of that sensation. So crunchy creamy sweet, with a hint of salt and spice. ⁣
⁣
Three Mostly Store-Bought Homemade Ice Cream Treat recipes are linked in the profile. It’s giving Semi-Homemade without the tablescapes or vodka. Iykyk.
I spent the weekend with Will and my family in Sou I spent the weekend with Will and my family in Southern California and there were sailboats, and vintage cars, and paddle boarding, and so many family laughs, and cookouts, and holding hands with my handsome boyfriend in a backwards baseball cap (WHY IS THAT SO SEXY?) but - the way we ordered a second TOWER OF ONION RINGS for the table at lunch was like…. BEYOND. 🥲🥰🥹😅🥳
Raise you hand if you secretly love a boxed cake m Raise you hand if you secretly love a boxed cake mix? Me: 🙋🏻‍♀️
⁣
My favorite version is this Easy Strawberry Sheet Cake baby topped with cream cheese frosting and extra fresh 🍓🍓. Perfect for the holiday weekend amiright? ⁣
⁣
Full recipe linked in the bio!
I woke up a year older and wiser today and the onl I woke up a year older and wiser today and the only advice I have for you is this: stay busy makin’ your own dreams come true. ⁣
⁣
xo
Just in time for your holiday weekend dessert plan Just in time for your holiday weekend dessert planning - my very favorite Blueberry Cobbler. The secret is a generous handful of blackberries, lemon zest, and sugared drop biscuit topping! 🫐 Find the full recipe linked in the profile! Xo
We’re About to be Friends with @wyseguide! We’ We’re About to be Friends with @wyseguide! We’re making my favorite blueberry cobbler perfect for the holiday weekend! Be sure to follow @wyseguide and find the recipe linked in the stories! Xo
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Copyright © 2023 · Joy the Baker
All rights reserved. Violators will be whupped and sent to bed with no dessert · Privacy Policy

Scroll Up