Game Room Party

Liz is throwing a party for her friends that are moving away. The party is in the evening, adults, and will be held in a game room of an apartment complex. Here are a few ideas for food. Readers, please post your ideas.

Mexican Buffet (pros:avocados and tomatillos are in season, casual, easy. cons:kind of summery, carrying around plates with foods that involve dipping could be a little awkward, good berries may be difficult to find this time of year.)

Make:
Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa

Refried Black Beans (Saute 1 chopped onion and 1-2 cloves crushed garlic in 1-2 T. olive oil. Add 2 cans black beans, 1 can at a time, juice and all and mash with back of a fork. Take off heat, salt to taste. Cool and refrigerate. Before serving heat until warm.)

Buy:
Chips

2-3 Favorite Salsas

Veggie tray (add jicama, cilantro for garnish)

Mexican Sodas

For dessert:
make you own ice cream sundaes with berries, sliced bananas, dulce de leche (buy it in the can and heat), pecans

Apple Buffet (pros:singular theme appealing, fall feel cons:are we tired of apple things yet?, a little baking involved, singular theme might be too cutesy)

Make:
Apple Cupcakes
or cupcakes that look like apples

Apple-Phyllo Triangles (make traditional apple pie filling, layer sheets of phyllo, brushing each with butter, cut lengthwise into 2" strips, put 1 T. apple pie filling at end of strip, fold over corner to form triangle, keep folding to end of strip. Brush finished triangle with more butter. Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes or until brown.)

Buy:
Caramel and apples for dipping

Spiced Cider (heat in crock pot to serve warm)

Cheeses that go good with apples like havarti, sharp cheddar, gouda and/or a firm blue


Fall Buffet: (pros: so seasonal cons: might be too boring)

Use above apple menu, but take away the apple triangles and cheese tray and add:

Make:
pumpkin bread

spiced pecans

Buy:
cheese platter (I always like to do a brie, a blue and a hard cheese like white cheddar. You could also include a rectangle of cream cheese topped with warm cranberry compote and served with crackers.)