Thanksgiving Appetizer Platter

Step 1

Slice pear in half lengthwise and place one half cut side down at the bottom center of your serving platter.

Step 2

Arrange cheeses, overlapping, around the perimeter of the serving platter.

Step 3

Arrange rectangular crackers to form a second row around the perimeter of the platter, under the cheese layer.

Step 4

Spread the larger round crackers in the next row.

Step 5

Pinch salami at one end and arrange below the crackers, placing them tightly together so that the pinched bottoms are touching and the open sides form a fan.

Step 6

Arrange bell pepper strips tucked in and around the salami pieces to accent the reds of the “turkey feathers.”

Step 7

Create a few rows of cucumber slices for the turkey back. Lift the pear half and fan out a circle of Ritz crackers to support the pear head.

Step 8

Place the pear back in shape and fill in the extra space at the bottom of the tray with the almonds.

Step 9

Cut a small triangle from an extra piece of cheese and place on the pear face to form a beak. Use hummus, peanut butter, or even a little butter to stick the candy eyeballs to the pear face.

Step 10

Storage: Keep refrigerated and covered in plastic wrap until ready to serve. Assemble as close to serving time as possible to keep