Pages

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Halloween Entertaining: Enchanting Ideas for your Party

pp_ds_recipe_halloween

I love this idea! These are Pumpkin Soup Shooters from the Pottery Barn Website. Here’s the recipe, only I can’t vouch for it since I haven’t tried it yet. Let me know your feedback if you do. And in case you’re wondering, those “fingers” are string cheese pieces, cut in half with red pepper on the tips.

Pumpkin Soup “Shooters” with Ginger and Apple

(Serves 16–24)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
  • 1 Pipin apple, peeled and roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh ginger minced
  • 1 15 oz. can pumpkin puree
  • 4 cups chicken stock or water
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • Salt
  • Fresh ground black pepper
  • ½ cup lightly whipped heavy cream with a pinch of nutmeg
  • ¼ cup minced fresh chives (about ½ a bunch)
  • Melt 4 tablespoons of the butter in a heavy stockpot over medium heat. Add the onion, apple and minced ginger and cook, stirring frequently, until onions are soft, about 15 minutes.
  • Add the pumpkin to the onions mixture and cook for another 5 minutes.
  • Add the stock or water and cream to the pot and simmer for 15 minutes.
  • Using an immersion blender (stick blender, safer for pureeing hot liquids) or in a traditional blender, until smooth, then return it to the pot. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then cover soup and keep warm over lowest heat.
  • To serve, fill large shot glasses 3/4 of the way and garnish with a small dollop of cream and a pinch of minced chives.

halloween_party_im1

These cocktail garnishes are also easy-to-make and very Halloween chic, don’t you think? A touch of spooky but not too gross-looking? I’m sorry. But I like my food to look pretty, even if it’s Halloween. And these eyeballs are simply cocktail onions with peppercorns used as the eyeballs. And those lime drink garnishes? They’re smeared with corn syrup “bloodied’ with red food coloring.

Spooky Table Decor is a Must!

p_100978708black-tablescapehalloweentablems

p_CTH632476

Photos  BHG,  Martha Stewart

In these photos above, the buffet table coverings are simple materials, cheesecloth and white sheets embellished with crepe paper, and a felt runner. Although I prefer to use crushed velvets and silky fabric remnants draped over my tables.

And what a great idea for those cheap, plastic orange pumpkins, spray them black and hang them from the ceiling. This is an idea I’m definitely going to borrow. Stay tuned for my version.

p_101374139 bhg

And what about having Edgar Allen Poe as your very own Guest-of-Honor? Let his spirit be your decorating inspiration.

DSC_0168 1 copy

You could make this Edgar Allen Poe wreath. Click HERE to see my simple instructions.

p_101374124Photos top & bottom: BHG

Edgar Allen Poe as Guest of Honor?

And you could decorate your table with mystery books, make placemats from old book pages, and you could use the idea shown here, and place a blank journal and a verse from The Raven at each place setting. The journal has a purpose; each dinner guest can jot down their scariest story to share later, with their after-dinner drinks.

 

Photo: HGTV

Someday I will have a Halloween dinner party just so I can make these white gloved placecards at my table. You can learn how to make these HERE.

halloween-wedding-ideas-580x385 the sweetest ocassionPhoto: the sweetest occasion

And each of my guests would have a message at their seat.

rats and eyeballs thecookieshopinenglish.wordpress

Photo: thecookieshopinenglish.wordpress.com

And I could pass around these adorable Halloween delicacies after dinner. Click HERE to learn how to make these chocolate ganache rats and white chocolate eyeballs.

What to wear? Hmm…

slide_193630_411643_large vera wang

Photo: Vera Wang, Fall wedding collection; 2011

I think I’ll wear this old thing.

e93eb8de001309c84d83d19d_large weheartitPhoto:weheartit.com

And I love these Halloween eyes. What do you think? Decisions, decisions…

67504_443126863914_161162533914_5390274_5538968_n_largePhoto: weheartit.com

But what about you? Do you have your outfit yet? What are you going to wear for your Halloween festivities?

Remember... only 13 days left until Halloween!!!

 

 

Technorati Tags:

No comments:

Post a Comment