Eating around Thanksgiving is tough. How do you eat before the best meal of the year? This is a question that I’ve pondered every year for decades. My concern is that I don’t want to get too hungry before my Most Giant Meal of the Year because then I’ll wolf down my first plate without really tasting it. This is pretty much the only time of year I have mashed potatoes and turkey, which as I write this I realize is stupid because I love them, so I want to enjoy every single bite. However, cooking while hungry means cooking while angry and that’s not how legendary meals are made. They are made with love and joy and all that!

So how does one stay fed before the feast?! I discussed it with the crew, and we came up with some bomb ass snacks designed to keep hunger at bay without getting too full. These can be employed any time for any reason, such as cooking, chillin’ like a villain, watching football, playing games, and of course for pre-Thanksgiving eating.

Aussie Magic is probably the easiest snack ever. At room temperature, mix the cheese and the oil together for a goopy, cheesy concoction and dip carrots, celery sticks, or, the best option, potato chips. Crack open a cold beer to really keep your spirits up.

Sliiiightly more work is one of Brie’s all-time favorite munchies – a smoosh of Chabichou du Poitou and a healthy drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey on a Rustic Bakery cracker. It is sweet and hot from the chili infused honey, and tangy and savory from the Chabichou, so you’re hitting all the good tastes in one little snicky snack.

For another pre-Most Giant Meal of the Year nosh, try a hunk of Tres Leches with a dab of Kozlik’s Mustard. Tres Leches is a cow, sheep and goat’s milk cheese that is rather divine melted all over any Thanksgiving leftover creation, and Kozlik’s Triple Crunch is a mustard seed explosion that adds a bit of texture and zip. Add a shred of the salty cured Spanish ham, jamón serrano, for a more substantial and protein-rich bite (you know, because we’re all about health here ...)

If you’re looking for something more nibbly, popcorn is always good. Popcorn with a thick snowfall of grated, puckeringly sharp and a bit sweet Aged Bloomsday is even better! Guild that lily, because it’s Thanksgiving duhhh, and pour on a load of Truff, our favorite truffle hot sauce. It adds spicy, truffly pizazz that’s soooo holidays.

For the love of cheese and eating before eating,

Kiri

How to Feast Before Your Feast

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!