Great Beginning-of-Fall Entertaining

In summer, meals are light and fun and often prepared outdoors on the grill. Fall offers a more warm, hearty menu, but the in-betweens are a tough thing, especially for meals and parties. The weather can change drastically from day to day, and on those September days when it's still 80 degrees out, you probably don't want a steaming bowl of chili. Here are some great entertaining ideas and recipes to bridge the seasonal gap between summer and fall!

Have a Summer Finale Barbecue! Evenings in early fall are some of the best times to get in the last of your summer grill cravings. While you're at it, why not make a party of it? Invite all or some of your friends over to usher in the cooler weather with a hot grill (and maybe even a fire pit!). Mix up the decorations, using some from a summer barbecue and thanksgiving dinner. This cross-over between formal and fun will wow your guests and provide a creative, unique atmosphere for summer reminiscence.

Here is a great recipe for your Summer Finale Barbecue. The citrus is the burst of summer, and the honey is the added comfort of the coming season.

Grilled Honey Citrus Chicken

What you need:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 1/2 cups orange juice
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons dry cilantro
2 tablespoons dry parsley
2 tablespoons dry basil
1/2 cup honey
salt & pepper to taste

To prepare: In a mixing bowl, whisk together juices, herbs, and honey. Place chicken breasts in a small baking dish. pour mixture of juices and herbs over chicken. Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour. Once marinated, grill until chicken is cooked completely.

Host a dinner and board game night! Board games are a great way to get to know people. This fall, host your own game night. Invite families from your neighborhood, church, or school to come to your house and enjoy an evening of games, food, and fun. If the weather is nice, set up card tables on the lawn and play by candle light or lantern. For a meal, here is a lighter version of chili-mac that will be sure to please all of the gamers at your shindig!

Dressed-up Chili-Mac