Thanksgiving: Hors d'oeuvres

At our house we like to have a brunch for breakfast and then put out some yummy things to munch on until our mid-afternoon meal. We don't have television reception so there won't be parade or football watching. Instead, we plan on having the girls (ages 2 and 3) do some craft projects, reading some Thanksgiving books we checked out from the library, and just enjoying our friends.

Here are some recipes for our munchies (aka: hors d'oeuvres)

Spiced Nuts:
(America’s Best Recipes)

• 1 egg white
• 1 tbs water
• 3 cups pecan halves, or almonds
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp salt
• ½ tsp ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp ground cloves

1. Beat egg white (at room temperature) and water at high speed of an electric mixer until foamy.  
2. Add pecans, stirring to coat.  
3. Combine sugar and remaining ingredients in a small bowl, and sprinkle over nuts; stir well.  
4. Spread nuts in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet.  
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes, stirring twice.  
6. Let cool.  Yield:  about 3 cups.

 Pineapple Cheese Ball

• 2 (8 oz) pkgs of Cream Cheese - softened
• 1 can of crushed Pineapple - well drained
• 1/3 C of Red Onion - finely chopped
• 1/3 C of Green Bell Pepper - finely chopped
  
• 1/4 t Celery Salt
• 1/4 t Seasoned Salt
• 1/4 t Table Salt

1. Blend all ingredients together.
2. Chill 15 minutes.
3. Form into a ball.
4. (optional) Garnish (roll the ball into one of the garnishing suggestions to cover).
1. Crushed Nuts
2. Finely Chopped Parsley
3. Ritz Cracker crumbs
4. Other ideas????
5. Chill until 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve with a variety of crackers.

Cheesy Garlic Cheese Ball

• 2 (8 oz) pkgs of Cream Cheese - softened
• 1 - 2 teaspoons of minced garlic (depending on your taste)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Italian Seasoning (or 1/4 t oregano, 1/4 t basil)
• 1/3 cup Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
• 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese (finely grated)
• 1/2 teaspoon of Table Salt
  

1. Blend all ingredients together.
2. Chill 15 minutes.
3. Form into a ball.
4. (optional) Garnish (roll the ball into one of the garnishing suggestions to cover).
1. Crushed Nuts
2. Finely Chopped Parsley
3. Ritz Cracker crumbs
4. Other ideas????
5. Chill until 10 minutes before serving.
6. Serve with a variety of crackers.