Traditionally, AA has provisioned TPAC flights in Y with an appetizer. So in addition to the hot entrée dish, the salad, dessert, cheese and crackers, you also got a small appetizer. I've seen sushi, shrimp cocktail, and weird salads (potato salad with salmon) before.
Yes. Something was certainly missing. Even if there was not an appetizer, the cheese and crackers are a standard offering on all int'l Y meals, with the exception of SYD and HKG flights.