I always become a little confused when Labor Day rolls around. It feels like fall, especially with the school buses rolling through the neighborhood. But then the calendar says it's still summer for another few weeks, and the farmer's markets confirm that with their overflowing bins of local produce.
So I suggest we take advantage of the two sides of this time of year by hosting a party that welcomes the incoming season with the best of the season that's bidding us adieu. Host a grilling party that includes recipes for late summer produce, but let's move the party inside and decorate with a little fall color.
Setting the Stage
Set the table with golden, autumn-colored linens. Use bright orange napkins as color accents that foreshadow the soon-to-be-changing leaves.
Sunflowers are widely available during the late summer, early fall time period. You can create an arrangement of short sunflowers to place on your table.
For greater drama stand tall sunflowers in vases around your room. Create an arrangement for the center of your table by taking a large basket and fill it with a bed of dried wheat with the wheat tops sticking out on the sides. Fill the basket with apples of different colors.
The Menu
Thai Crab Cakes - Thai Food Guide Darlene Schmidt offers a delicious Thai crab cake variation that would make a great appetizer any time of the year, but crab meat always makes me think of the fleeting summer season.
Pork Kabobs - Hector Rodriguez, Guide to Latin Caribbean Food, shows us how to prepare a tasty marinade for pork kabobs that will add lots of flavor to your menu, for relatively little effort.
Tomato and Orzo Salad - I love this salad that includes cherry tomatoes and fresh basil, and it tastes best when both ingredients are in season. With tiny orzo pasta as the backdrop for the fresh ingredients, it's a winner for all ages.
Spicy Sauteed Corn - Give your guests a break from biting the corn off the cob by preparing this sauteed corn dish from Local Foods Guide Molly Watson. You can cut the corn off the cobs in advance and then just toss this together in the saute pan while the kabobs are cooking on the grill.
Amaretto Apricots - This sophisticated dessert will lend a more elegant finish to your meal than a summer ice pop, but it will be easy on you since it needs to be prepared hours before your party. Home Cooking Guide Peggy Trowbridge Fillipone tells you how to make this tasty recipe.
Maca Martini - The Marca Martini includes apple cider in the mix, to help us move into the fall flavors. Colleen Graham, Guide to Cocktails, tells us how to mix up this interesting cocktail.
Serve an assortment of other cold beverages including water, iced tea, and beer.
