entertaining

october 97

Although Halloween used to be considered a children's holiday, we know plenty of teenagers and grownups who are too old for trick-or-treat, but still enjoy getting dressed in a costume and having a chance to get silly with friends on October 31.

Teens and adults are happiest at do-it-yourself parties. These parties get the conversation and participation going quickly and are a great work-saver for the party-giver. As host or hostess, you'll need to stock up on ghoulish accessories (witches, bats, skulls, and ghosts) from a party store to decorate the rooms. White bed sheets soaked in starch make great ghosts to hang in your trees. Line the front steps with giant carved jack-o-lanterns, lighted with votive candles or small flashlights.

To add more spirit to the party, invite a palm reader to tell fortunes and rent some classic horror films for background viewing on the TV. But the best part of the evening is when teams of guests head for the kitchen to help prepare the meal. You'll have all the supplies laid out with recipes for general guidance, but be rest assured, if your party goers are like ours, your guests will be more than happy to depart from the recipes, adding their special touches.

Present each guest with a small hollowed-out pumpkin and provide a room with adequate tables covered with newspapers for carving. Tools needed for carving are utility knives, X-acto knives, serrated blade knives, wood chisels, and melon ballers (to leave behind a layer of translucent flesh). Guests can also paint the pumpkins with colored markers. Offer prizes for the best and the worst decorated pumpkins (have a committee of impartial judges). Clear one large area of furniture and clutter; have a selection of CD's or tapes ready for those who wish to dance.

Keep in mind that even guest-participation party food requires some advance preparation on your part. Lining ingredients up, washing and peeling vegetables, and measuring out ingredients is best done ahead.

Have a bowl of Halloween Gorp and several baskets of raw veggies with Bat's Breath Dip ready for snacking until the meal is prepared to prevent any low blood sugars. Hot Spiced Witch's Brew simmering on the stove makes a perfect hot beverage without the worry of too much sugar. Offer cans of diet soda and small bottles of water in a large wash tub or cooler filled with ice.

The main course is assemble-yourself chicken tacos and a beautiful tropical fruit salad. Dessert is a decadent-tasting , but virtually fat-free, chocolate mousse that you made ahead of time. Be ready to inform any guests who ask the exchange values of each serving. Anyone with diabetes needs to count their carbos, but there is a large variety of food here from which to choose. You'll need to watch your exchanges carefully, co-coordinating them with your medication.

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	Hot Spiced Witch's Brew Halloween Gorp Raw Veggies with Ghoul's Breath Dip Build-Your-Own Chicken Tacos Tropical Fruit Salad Mexican Chocolate Mousse

(for the recipes, click on The Recipes or click on the individual recipe above)