Have a Game Night!!!

 It's Friday night...if you have sat in traffic for a long time trying to get home, or your needing some quality time with the family, why not have a Game Night!


It's economical, a lot of fun, and YOU can be as creative as you want to be.  You can also invite your neighbors, family, and/or friends over for the fun.  Now, here is something to consider.  If  the Get-Together is at your home, then have your friends help chip in by having them bring the food - tell them what to bring. When YOU assign the food, you will not get four of the same things. Another thing, let your guests know is that you are not serving dinner per say but you are providing great food with their help!  (These tips are good to use for anything you host!!!)

Here's my idea of Game Night...


The Menu 

Your food ideas are limitless, just make sure the food is tasty, ample and presented well. 

As the hostess you should supply the evening of fun, service ware, beverages and dessert.  You can serve the following:

Heavy Hors D'ouevres or Appetizers
Mini Hot Dogs 
Meatballs 
Seven Layer Dip 
Quesadillas 
Tacos 
Cut-Up Vegetables with Dip                                                                                                               Smoked Salmon 
Grilled Tri-Tip Steak that has been chilled and sliced thin
Sushi 


Chinese Food served in small chinese food containers and chop sticks 
Pizza Slices

Salads 
Bucket of Fried Chicken
Mac & Cheese portioned out in paper cups so they can be served individually 
Deli Sandwiches with big kosher pickles and thick cut chips


The Dessert 
You can have an assortment of ice cream novelties such as: 
Ice Cream Sandwiches 
Nutty Buddies 
Ice Cream Cups 
Sorbet (a non dairy item) 

                                                            OR

Build Your Own Sundae - YUM!!!

Have all kinds of toppings on a tray or dedicated area 

(chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or butterscotch sauce, nuts whipped cream in a can , sliced fresh banana – the sky is the limit!!) and a container of ice cream. or 

You can do what I do...I pre-scoop ice cream balls and either have them in an individual decorative disposable container (anything from a plastic disposable cup to a paper chinese food box or place the ice cream balls on a parchment covered cookie sheet  cover that and freeze.  The frozen ice cream balls should go in a big chilled bowl , covered and placed back in the freezer.

Your Beverage Area should be set with cups, beverage napkins and ice.  


You can also have nuts or little nibbles you can offer your  guests as they arrive, but remember, your guests are bringing the food.

The Set-Up

OK!  Have the game tables with the games set in the room where you will be playing.  The tables should have small, plates and cocktail napkins at the ready.  

This is such a cool and easy way to have a get-together and its so much fun!!!  Remember -  PRESENTATION - PRESENTATION!!!    


I would love to see your ideas for Game Night!  Like me on Facebook and send me a message - You can check out my pictures too !  http://www.facebook.com/caronhomeec

Another Tax Party - at 30%

Still working on your taxes?   If your finding out your going to have to shell out more than you expected, you can still have a great gathering!

Have another Tax Party - at 30%!

Appetizers: Baked Artichoke Dip in a Sour Dough Bread, Fresh Crudités, Beer, Wine, Soft Drinks & Water

Baked Artichoke Dip in Sour Dough Bread

Purchase the biggest round Sour Dough bread you can find. On the top of the sour dough bread carve a circle and scoop most of the soft filling but try and keep it as intact as possible so you can cut it in nice chunks and use it to dip.

Filling:

2 cans of artichoke hearts drained and chopped

1 cup grated Parmesan cheese – use the cheese from the green can, it works well.

1 cup mayonnaise

5 cloves of garlic finely chopped

Directions:  Mix all the ingredients together and spoon into the hollowed out sour dough bread.  Bake in a 350º oven for approximately 20 minutes or until there is a nice golden color on the top of the dip.

Serve:  Place bread bowl on a wooden cutting board or a big shallow basket. Surround the bowl with the reserved bread chunks, crackers, celery, carrots, radish and cherry tomatoes.

                                                                  The Main Course

Main Course:  Shepherd Pie, tossed Mixed Green Salad with Candied Nuts, Dinner Rolls & Butter

Shepherd's Pie (Serves 6)

Ingredients:

1 lb. Ground Beef

1 package Brown Gravy Mix or Onion Gravy Mix

¾ cup water

Instant Mashed Potatoes - 6 servings or 4 cups of prepared mashed potatoes

2 cups frozen peas – thawed

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Brown the ground beef in a large skillet on medium heat until completely cooked.  Drain the fat from the cooked beef.  Combine the gravy mix with the water in a small bowl and pour it over the cooked beef. Return the meat with gravy to a medium heat and cook until it bubbles. Turn the heat down and let the mixture rest for 5 minutes.   Transfer the meat onto a 1 ½ quart baking dish. Top the meat with the thawed peas and top the thawed peas with the mashed potatoes.  Bake for 30 minutes or until the mashed potatoes are slightly browned.

Tossed Mixed Greens

Get 2-3 bagged artisan salads (you can find in the produce section of the grocery store) that includes nuts and dressing. Quite often the bagged salads are on sale.  Empty the salad in a nice wooden or ceramic bowl.  You can toss the salad just before serving.  If you don't like the dressing that is included use what you do.

                                                                       For Dessert...

Dessert:   Cheesecake with Berries, or Lemon Cake with Berries, Coffee and Tea

The dessert should be purchased.  When you are serving the cake garnish it with fresh sliced berries and a piece of chocolate.

I know celebrating at Tax Time seems weird, but it's a good excuse to have a get-together, and everyone you invite can have THEIR say, the IRS doesn't care!  Why not have some fun anyway?