Apple Party

We are in full fall mode around here.

The weather has finally cooled down (meaning it's about 75, but I'll take what I can get), the decorations are up, and we have made our trip to our nearby apple town for pie and apple pickin'.

Last year, I threw an apple party to celebrate the season.  It was a great time with our friends and family.  We asked everyone to bring a food item (we made the main dish), and the only requirement was that everyone had to make something with apples in it.  We got pretty creative, and it was so fun to share recipes.  And all the food was delicious!

Here's some of my favorite pics of the evening...

                                                         Apple themed games...

                           Kids table covered in butcher paper with apple coloring pages...

                                                               Apple activities...

                                                            Apple hor'dourves...

                                               Lots of yummy apple desserts...

                     Even some homemade apple butter to take home.  We were apple'd out.

The tomato, apple, bacon, and feta crostini's were delicious.  If you're feeling in the fall mood, here's the recipe...

1/2 lb. smoked bacon
1 28 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup sugar
1 medium apple, peeled, cored, and diced
1 small yellow onion, diced
3 tbsp. cider vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 loaf baguette style french bread, thinly sliced and toasted (about 30 slices)
1 8 oz. block feta cheese, crumbled

Cook the bacon until it is brown, drain on paper towel.
In large saucepan, combine drained tomatoes, sugar, apple, onion, vinegar, salt, pepper, and bacon.  Bring to a boil over medium heat and cook, stirring often, for 12 minutes or until apples are tender and most of the liquid has been reduced.
Remove pan from heat; let sit for 5 minutes.
Arrange baguette slices on serving platter; top with apple mixture and feta.

Enjoy, and happy fall!