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HIP HARVEST PARTY
Fall is here—so gather your friends and celebrate the season with a hip autumn-inspired party. With little more than seasonal produce, you can throw together a sophisticated night of fabulous foods, delicious drinks and fall-tastic décor, all set against the backdrop of the cool air and to the soundtrack of warm laughter.
SETTING THE SCENE
Mini Apple, Pear and Pumpkin Centerpiece
It’s not often that you can describe produce as adorable, but that’s the response you’ll get from this cute centerpiece. Buy miniature versions of apples (called Lady Apples), pears (known as Seckel Pears) and pumpkins (the most common are Jack-Be-Little or Baby Boo). Buy more than you think you will need—you want your centerpiece overflowing with seasonal bounty, reminiscent of a true harvest. Place produce on a simple cake stand or platter and pile them high. Tuck fresh leaves or cut branches of fall berries in empty spaces for a finished look. For a more modern version, use a white rectangular platter and place an odd number of Lady Apples or Seckel Pears in a straight line, alternating with tea lights.
Pumpkin Cooler
Using a serrated knife, cut the top off a large, wide pumpkin. Scoop out the pulp and seeds using an ice cream scoop or pumpkin-carving tool. Line the hollowed-out pumpkin with a clear plastic bag or place a bowl inside. Fill the lined pumpkin with ice and use to serve chilled bottles of beer and soda.
Apple Pie Martinis
Don’t confuse this fall cocktail with a green apple martini. Apple pie martinis are made with vodka, apple cider, whipped cream and cinnamon, served in a graham cracker–rimmed martini glass. To make this tasty drink: Wet rim of martini glass with apple cider and dip rim in a plate of graham cracker crumbs. Use one part vanilla-flavored vodka (or regular vodka) and two parts apple cider, shake with ice in a cocktail shaker and strain liquid into prepared glasses. Top with whipped cream (canned works well) and sprinkle cinnamon on top. Serve these with a warning that they may taste smooth, but they are potent.
Hip Tips
Simmer cinnamon sticks, cloves and apples in a pot of water to infuse your house with the smells of the season. Turn off the heat once guests arrive to ensure that the mixture doesn’t burn.
Iron leaves between sheets of waxed paper to flatten them. Lay leaves on the table or punch a hole in the leaves and hang them from your chandelier with ribbon.
If you have an outdoor fire pit, buy a few bales of hay and set them up as seating around the fire.
SEASONAL PARTY FAVORS
Send guests home with these harvest-inspired favors.
Fresh-Picked Apples
Plan an apple-picking adventure with your family, and use some of your harvest for favors. Your guests will love a bag of fresh-picked apples; tie with a rustic ribbon.
Mini Spice Breads
If you like to bake, make mini loaves of pumpkin spice or apple bread. Wrap the breads, warm from the oven, in plastic wrap to seal in the moisture. Mini loaves can be made in advance and frozen. Tie with a raffia bow and gift tags that say “Happy Harvest.”
Farm-Stand Goodies
For no-cook favors, buy fresh cider donuts from a local farm stand and wrap stacked donuts in cellophane bags tied with ribbon.
MENU
Using fall favorites such as apples, cider, pumpkin, butternut squash and root vegetables is a sure way to stick to your harvest theme. Use the following menu for some inspiration.
| Cranberry-apple salsa with tortilla chips | |
| Maple spiced nuts | |
| Butternut squash barley risotto | |
| Spinach and walnut salad with warm bacon vinaigrette | |
| Cider-glazed chicken | |
| Roasted parsnip and carrot “fries” | |
| Apple, pear and ginger crisp or Heath bar crunch pumpkin pie |
Hip Tips
Serve a seasonal brew, such as bottles of hard apple or pear cider, or pumpkin ale.
Make your chips and dip memorable by serving dip in a hollowed-out pumpkin.
For a quick dessert, make a “harvest fondue” by heating store-bought caramel sauce and serving with sliced apples and pears.
* All recipes are available at www.hiphostess.wordpress.com.
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