Last Minute Appetizer

November 25, 2009

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If you are hosting Thanksgiving, chances are you are in the kitchen with all burners going and the oven on.  Or you are at work just waiting until you get home so you can get all burners and the oven going.  Or, if you are like me, you are procrastinating and also waiting for your husband to wake up from a nap so he can deal with the 23-pound turkey in the refrigerator.  Whatever the case, probably the last thing you want to see is another recipe.

That’s why I’m not giving you a recipe.  Just an idea.  I made this lovely little appetizer for the party I catered a couple of weeks ago.  On the menu there was a lot of comfort food which was what the birthday girl requested. Where to buy Stromectol   As I was putting the dishes together, I thought we needed something a little fresh to balance out all the carbs and cheese.  I wanted to keep it as something you could pick up and thus this little appetizer was born.  Nothing earth-shattering or super fancy, but it looks pretty and has a perfect sweet/salty/bitter bite.

All you need is endive, radicchio, Manchego cheese, and membrillo (quince paste).  But before you email asking how dare I suggest you find a Spanish market on the day before Thanksgiving…hear me out.  You could really substitute any kind of hard cheese and any kind of fruit paste (I actually used apple because I wanted to try it and I did go to a Spanish market that has things like that.)  You could also just use jam or jelly and hell, you could use soft goat cheese too.  The key is to make sure the flavors balance and that it looks pretty.  Slice the radicchio into ribbons at the top (not the root) end where the leaves are much more colorful.  Have fun with this.  Or just file the idea away for a less harried time.

For those of you who celebrate Thanksgiving, I hope yours is one filled with friends, family, and delicious food.  For those of you who don’t, I wish you happy Thursday!



7 Comments »

  1. This looks like a refreshing appetizer that I may just use for a baby shower I am hosting later this winter. I love it when surprises such as this come our way.

    You have already filled my palate with new taste sensations, Dana, and for that I am truly thankful.

    Comment by Penny — November 25, 2009 @ 11:19 pm

  2. “All you need is endive, radicchio, Manchego cheese, and membrillo (quince paste).” Wow – that sums up your masterful kitchen. I had a great time looking though your index today and sharing it with my mom. Some of my favorite cookbooks and recipes! And, of course, great text. Happy Thanksgiving!

    Comment by katie — November 26, 2009 @ 3:18 am

  3. This is simply beautiful…

    Comment by Koek! — November 26, 2009 @ 7:32 am

  4. What a smart and pretty party hors d’oeuvre. The great thing about membrillo is that, seriously, I think it lasts forever. I bought some from Whole Foods a good four months ago and it still looks and tastes just as fresh as it did the day I brought it.

    I hope you and your family had a lovely and relaxing holiday. A 23-pound bird, though?!? Impressive!

    Comment by Cheryl — November 29, 2009 @ 1:20 am

  5. I love using endive spears as little boats to hold yummy dips and smoked fish……glad you had a nice Thanksgiving (washing dishes?…get someone else to do that task, you cooked!).
    xxoo

    Comment by Stacey Snacks — December 1, 2009 @ 2:46 am

  6. […] Endive, Radicchio & Manchego Cheese from Dana Treat […]

    Pingback by Planning Your First Thanksgiving Dinner [25 Delicious Recipes!] — February 2, 2011 @ 6:18 am

  7. Dana, I am one of your biggest fans and admirers – love this recipe. Your blog is a treasure chest for me x s

    Comment by S — March 18, 2015 @ 1:19 am



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