Thanksgiving Hor d'Oeuvres and Ideas
Thanksgiving is a time when families and friends gather together to celebrate everything we have to be thankful for. It’s a celebration of the harvest, and a cornucopia of delights to be shared and enjoyed by all. While most tables feature the traditional, there are many ways you can branch out from the tried-and-true turkey and stuffing and accent your Thanksgiving menu with gourmet hor d’oeuvres and sides to elevate your celebration. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite gourmet Thanksgiving ideas below.
Smoked Salmon and Caviar Potato Skins
One of our favorites is this divine take on the traditional potato skin. Rather than cheese and sour cream, this recipe features smoked salmon and caviar topped with some créme fraîche. While you can add eggs and make them a brunch treat, we think that in their purest form, they set up the main course quite nicely. For the caviar, a classic holiday deserves a classic caviar, and the Royal Ossetra tops the list. For a slightly less briny yet still robust flavor, feel free to use the ever-popular Daurenki caviar.
When it comes to salmon, there are a multitude of flavors to choose from, and which one you select all depends on your preferences. Our classic smoked salmon has a smooth texture and taste that will complement the caviar and potato as it melts on the tongue. If you prefer a bolder taste, nothing quite compares to the Black Sea Spiced Tsar-Cut® Salmon that is uniquely Petrossian and adds a flavor like no other to really bring this hor d’oeuvres to life!
Roasted Onion & Caviar Dip
For an incredible inspiration when it comes to Thanksgiving dips and hors d'oeuvres, this Roasted Onion & Caviar Dip from star chef Tyler Florence uses the whole onion, and we just can’t peel our eyes off of how delectable it looks! Featured in Food & Wine, the recipe calls for the following ingredients that can be prepared in advance so you don’t have to stress on the big day.
Ingredients:
2 medium unpeeled red onions
2 medium unpeeled Spanish onions
2 medium unpeeled sweet onions
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
Kosher salt
Pepper
Salmon roe and Royal Alverta® Caviar, for serving
Fennel fronds, for garnish
Herbed potato chips, for serving
This recipe is a little more time intensive, but we promise you, it’s worth it. The best part is that the onion cups, and the onion dip can all be made in advance and refrigerated and take out to serve. Let the onion cups return to room temperature before filling them, and top with the variations of caviar and roe, garnish with fennel fronds, and serve.
"For Thanksgiving dip, roast onions whole, scoop out the caramelized insides, chop them up, and mix them with sour cream, mayonnaise, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Then spoon them into the onion shells, and top them with salmon, trout, and sturgeon caviar. Garnish with fennel fronds and serve with herbed potato chips." — chef Tyler Florence.
Classic Baked Potatoes
Beyond appetizers, side dishes also deserve a little elevation with gourmet touches this Thanksgiving, but you don’t need to rethink your turkey and stuffing to create something special. Classic side dishes such as a baked potato are easily elevated with the addition of créme fraîche and a touch of caviar. Golden russet potatoes have a rich buttery flavor that pairs well with caviar, to make a perfect addition alongside turkey and stuffing at the Thanksgiving table.
Another incredible option is topping the baked potatoes with one of our delectable spreads. King crab tarama adds a hickory smoked flavor with king crab meat, while our salmon tournade imparts a slightly sweeter flavor. For giving those potatoes a bit of a kick, try our wasabi tarama to add a touch of spice atop the classic baked potato. Regardless of which spread you choose, top with Tsar Imperial® Alverta Caviar which has the richness to stand out among the flavors of the potato and cream, be it créme fraîche or one of the spreads.
If you prefer the potatoes mashed, you can easily experiment with all three spreads. Simply mash and whip the potatoes and transfer to serving bowls. Top with your choice of cream or spread, and a ridge of caviar on top. Garnish with chopped chives, and a sprinkle of sea salt and fresh ground Madagascar Black Peppercorn to bring the flavors together for potatoes your guests will never forget!
We hope you enjoy these gourmet Thanksgiving ideas and your holiday is filled with great food, wonderful people, and a delightful time for all. Our caviar concierge is eager to speak with you to assist in your selection of ingredients for the recipes above, or any other items to go with your Thanksgiving meal. Just call us at 1-800-828-9241.