Party Tips/ Good Foods to Try.

Party Tips.....

• Offer 3 to 4 types of hors d' oeuvres and figure each person will eat about 10 pieces in 2 hours (fewer if you are serving cheese).

• To keep the food flowing, prebake the hors d'oeuvres then reheat them when the guests arrive.

• Use the oven for the crispiest results. Even if the instructions offer the option of microwaving pastry hors d' oeuvres, don't do it.

• Skip the full bar and prepare 1 or 2 drinks-in bulk ahead of time. Before the party, pour them into glasses on trays and place pitchers next to them, so guests can refill themselves.

• Put out cold foods, like vegetables and dip or a platter of cheeses, at the start of the party so
people have something to nibble on if the hot hors d'oeuvres are not ready.

• Serve the hot hors d' oeuvres yourself. It will allow you to mingle with your guests. Ask helpers to focus on keeping the cold-food tray full and clearing plates.

• How about a wash tub iced to serve cold beverages? This works great for an outdoor, casual event like Father's Day.

• Place single flower stems of varying heights in individual bud vases, votive candle holders,
anything that can hold water. Group them in the center of tables to create a casual centerpiece.

• Create short, round bouquets of large-bloom flowers such as peonies and line them down the center of tables.

• When folding napkins for a party, tuck a fern frond or a flower sprig in each roll and secure with ribbon.


Now, some good recipes for y'all to try...

Cream - Filled Strawberries

These plump berries tilled with a creamy pudding mixture are so elegant-looking and luscious tasting that they are perfect for parties and springtime gatherings.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Serves: 18

18 large fresh strawberries
1 cup cold fat free milk
1 ( 1 ounce) package sugar-free instant vanilla pudding mix - Use the whole box.
2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping
1/4 tsp almond extract

Remove sterns from strawberries; cut a deep X in the top of each berry. Spread berries apart. In a bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix for 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping and almond extract. Pipe (which works better) or spoon cream into each berry. Chill until serve time. If the filling gets to soft, put it back into the fridge to get firmer.

Banana Smash Punch

4. cups granulated sugar
6 cups water
5 ripe bananas - Almost to a black color. If you want to have them ripen faster, throw them in the freezer fora few days.
2 T fresh squeezed lemon juice
Place the sugar and the water in heavy bottomed saucepan. Boil 5 minutes and let cool.
While cooling, process the bananas with the lemon juice in a blender. Add to the cooled water and
sugar mixture.
2 ounces fresh squeezed orange juice
36 ounces pineapple juice
Mix together and freeze solid.
Fill container 3/4 full. Pull from the freezer and serve when in slush stage. Mix with 2 quarts chilled ginger ale or clear soda.

Cranberry Cocktail Meatballs

A flavorful appetizer meatball, baked then kept warm in the slow cooker. If you need something quicker, combine your own favorite meatballs with the sauce ingredients, and then cook on high in the slow cooker for about 2 hours.

2 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
1/3 cup ketchup
2 T soy sauce
l/4 tsp pepper
12 ounces chili sauce
2 tsp lemon juice
1 cup corn flake crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup minced onions
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1 can (16 ounces) cranberry sauce
1 T brown sugar, firmly packed

In a large bowl combine ground beef, corn flake crumbs, parsley, eggs, ketchup, onion, soy sauce, garlic powder and pepper. Blend ingredients well and form into small balls, about %inch diameter. Place in a casserole or a baking pan. Heat oven to 300. While meatballs, combine cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Cook, stirring over medium heat until mixture is blended. Pour hot sauce over meatballs and continue cooking for
a total cooking time of about 45 minutes. Transfer to Crockpot and keep low for serving.
About 4-5 dozen meatballs, depending on the size.