Let's talk about appetizers and snacks. Do you think more about what to serve with drinks when people come over than the actual thanksgiving meal? The bird and fixings are long planned, of course, but the snacks beforehand always require more thought. People will be here for quite a while before the dinner is ready. They will have a pitcher of cocktails and they will want to snack. Cheese and crackers, of course. Cut up vegetables with hummus is a long-standing house favorite. Crunchy roasted cumin chickpeas are a welcome addition. But we will also need nuts. It's tempting to just buy a jar of roasted mixed nuts from the store, but there's nothing especially holiday about it and there's never the correct amount of whichever nut happens to be your favorite. Plus, nothing beats the smell of freshly roasted nuts coming out of your oven. Fortunately, making your own blend is wonderfully quick and simple. You can, of course, choose whichever nuts you like, although walnuts, almonds, and pistachios are the ones found most often on a middle eastern table. As for the spices, go full holiday here with lots of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, just a teeny bit of cloves, and the wonderfully fragrant cardamom. Middle eastern inspired holiday tastes and smells and your guests will be wooed as soon as they walk in. And, as a bonus, these nuts are also great for snacking even after the holidays. Football sundays come to mind. Enjoy
