Throw a Hay Ride Party this Fall

(FeatureSource) Scrapped for ideas for a get-together this autumn? Perfect for after apple-orchard hay rides, leaf-raking progressives, or autumn afternoons outdoors, these recipes and decorating suggestions for a “hay ride” themed party from Patty Sachs’ Pick-a-Party Cookbook (Meadowbrook Press, $11.00; www.meadowbrookpress.com) are sure to become a fall favorite.

Hay Ride

After a raucous time out on a hay ride, the crew will have worked up an appetite for good, tasty, warm-up fare. Start them off with hot drinks, and follow with hearty and satisfying party eats to give your guests a “great ride.”

Hot Buttered Cranberry Punch

Makes: 12 4-ounce servings

16 ounces jellied cranberry sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 cups water
2 cups pineapple juice
Butter

1. In a medium saucepan, mash cranberry sauce with a fork; mix with sugar, spices, and salt.
2. Add water and pineapple juice; cover and simmer for 2 hours.
3. Ladle the punch into mugs, and float a small pat of butter in each serving.

Warm Berry Pie à la Mode

Makes: 8 servings

2 medium cooking apples, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
vegetable cooking spray
10 ounces frozen raspberries in light syrup, thawed
1 cup regular oats, uncooked
3 tablespoons margarine
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
½ cup walnuts, chopped
2 tablespoons honey
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
ice cream or whipped topping

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine apples and lemon juice; toss gently.
3. Place the apples into a 10-by-6-by-2-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
4. Top with raspberries.
5. Combine oats and remaining ingredients except the ice cream; sprinkle evenly over raspberries.
6. Bake for 30 minutes, or until lightly browned and apples are tender.
7. Cut into squares and serve warm; topped with a small scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped topping.

Food Service and Decorative Touches

Set the table casually – plastic and paper table covers, service ware, and utensils.

Decorate in colors to match your overall theme. If you use this theme for a shower, use wedding/baby colors.

Light the room with lanterns, battery-operated lights and, if allowed, candles. (Some venues do not allow candles on the premises because they are a potential fire hazard.)

For a western setting, use bandannas as napkins, accents, and trim for centerpieces, and even spread them out as place mats. (Two bandannas can be knotted together and draped over a chair back for a great decorative touch.)

Serve foods, breads, and snacks in baskets, wooden buckets, or small barrels.

Create mini hay-bale boxes and fill them with fresh or straw flowers; trim with bandannas or gingham ribbons.

Author: Maureen Burns