Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Pumpkin Carving Party



Last week I made a "Fall To-Do List".  In trying to cross a few to-do's off my list, I threw a last minute Halloween Pumpkin Carving Party!  Why not have one yourself?  Invite a few friends over tonight or tomorrow...it's a great way to celebrate Halloween low-key style.  This party is easy and quick to put together....the main ingredients? Pumpkins, a signature cocktail, and some warm, feel-good Fall food!


On The Menu For The Evening:
DRINK: Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktails
SNACK: Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
EAT: Homemade Meatball Paninis
DO: Pumpkin Carving Kit
LISTEN: New Fall Itunes playlist
DECOR: Finished pumpkins! Scary, funny, classy - the world is yours to carve :>)



DRINK
Apple Cider Bourbon Cocktails
2 parts fresh Apple Cider
2 parts Ginger Ale
1 part Bourbon
Apple Slices
*Stir all ingredients together on the rocks.
*Garnish with a slice of apple


SNACK
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds
1.)  Save the seeds you dig out of your carving pumpkins.
2.)  Rinse seeds well with water.  Then lay seeds out to dry on a paper towel.
3.)  In a saute pan, heat a little olive oil.  Saute seeds in oil and salt.
4.) Meanwhile, pre-heat your oven to 350 Degrees.
5.)  After about 10 minutes, remove seeds from stove, and spread them evenly on a cookie sheet (or 2!)
6.)  Sprinkle seeds with desired flavoring.  I chose 4 different flavors:  Plain, Lowry's seasoning, Garlic Salt, and Molly McButter (all seasonings found in the baking aisle at your grocery store).
7.)  Bake seeds for 15-20 minutes, until slightly golden in color and crunchy to the bite.




EAT
Meatball Paninis - makes 6 paninis
Italian bread
tomato sauce
meatballs
red onion
sliced prosciutto
arugula
sliced provolone cheese
red pepper flakes


Meatballs:
1 lb ground pork
1 egg
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
2 tbsp dried basil
3 tbsp garlic powder
garlic salt - a few shakes
1/4 cup Italian bread crumbs
salt and pepper
1.)  Mix all ingredients together with your hands in a mixing bowl
2.)  Roll mixture into balls roughly 2 inches in diameter.
3.)  Place meatballs on greased cookie sheet.  Gently press into each, flatting them slightly  This makes it easier to fit in the sandwich.
3.)  Bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees, turning meatballs once.

***Either make your own tomato sauce (great recipe here) or use a store bought version.

Paninis
1.)  Using a good crunchy Italian bread or ciabatta, cut into panini size.  
2.)  Spread tomato sauce generously on both sides of sandwich.
3.) Slice a meatballs in half and layer on one side.
4.)  Add sliced red onion, prosciutto, provolone cheese, arugula, and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes on other side of bread.  Put panini together.
5.)  Using panini press, heat sandwich until warmed through.
6.)  Serve immediately with fresh green salad.



The decorations and activity for this party take care of themselves.  I simply lit a few candles and prepared the table for carving (garbage bags, newspapers).  

LISTEN
Fall Playlist
Ellie Goulding "Anything Could Happen"
The Black Keys "Gold On the Ceiling"
Imagine Dragons "It's Time"
Mumford & Sons "Below My Feet"
Mumford & Sons "I Will Wait"
Fun "Some Nights"
Phillip Phillips "Home"
The Lumineers "Ho Hey"
Van Morrison "Into the Mystic"
NeedtoBreathe "Stones Under Rushing Water"
Mumford & Sons "Awake My Soul"
The Black Keys "Chop and Change"
Of Monsters and Men "Little Talks"
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros "Home"


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Xo,
Kate
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia


Home Stories A2Z

4 comments:

  1. Meatball Sammies? Apple Cider Rum?! Amazing Playlist?!?! What a night! I am for sure stealing all 3 of those ideas.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now thats what I call carving in style!! From the enticing cocktails, the gourmet pumpkin seeds and the delicious paninis...thats a carving party that would last well into the night around here! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. sounds like a blast! i love the pumpkin seeds tasting!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Sounds like so much fun! Thanks for sharing your night.

    ReplyDelete