5 Vegetarian Thanksgiving Appetizer Recipes

While you and your guests are waiting for the main Thanksgiving feast, you can temper their hungry stomachs with these five vegetarian Thanksgiving appetizer recipes. Make the appetizers in advance so that not only will your guests have something to nibble on Thanksgiving day, you can spend more time with them rather than in the kitchen.

Vegetables and Dip

To make vegetables and dips you will need:

• Assortment of cut vegetables such as celery, carrots and cucumbers
• can vegetarian chili
• 4 oz. cream cheese or tofu cream cheese

1. Combine the chili with softened cream cheese.
2. Fill a bowl with the dip.
3. Place on a platter. Surround with cut vegetables.

 Fruit and Dip

To make fruit and dip you will need:

• Fresh strawberries or sliced apples
• Jar of marshmallow creme
• 8 ounces cream cheese or tofu cream cheese
• 3 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate 

1. Mix the marshmallow creme, softened cream cheese and thawed orange juice concentrate.
2. Fill a bowl with the dip.
3. Place on a platter. Surround with fresh strawberries or sliced apples.

Stuffed Dates

To make this traditional stuffed date recipe you will need:

• 1 pound pitted dates
• 3 ounces softened cream cheese or tofu cream cheese
• Granulated sugar

1. Place the softened cream cheese in a pastry bag or a sealable plastic sandwich bag.
2. Snip the end of the bag and insert it into the date. Fill the date with the cream cheese.
3. Roll the stuffed dates in granulated sugar. Place on a serving plate. 

Baked Tomatoes

To make baked tomatoes you will need:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• Minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt

1. Slice the tomatoes almost in half, leaving them connected on one side. Spread a small amount of minced garlic inside the tomato.
2. Arrange the closed tomatoes on a baking sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the tomatoes, then sprinkle with salt to taste.
3. Bake in a 350 degree oven for twenty minutes or until the tomato skins begin to shrivel. Serve warm or cold.

Stuffed Mushrooms

To make stuffed mushrooms you need:

•  24 mushrooms with stems removed
• 1/2 up minced onions
• 1/2 bag stuffing mix
• 4 tablespoons olive oil or butter 

1. Saute the onions in the olive oil or butter until transparent.
2. Add the stuffing mix to the pan and toss to coat with the olive oil. Add water, as needed, until the stuffing mix is barely moist.
3. Stuff the mushrooms with the mix and place on baking sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for fifteen minutes or until the stuffing is toasted. Serve warm or room temperature.