How to Host a Murder Mystery Party

My husband and I love to have friends come over to our home for dinner, or to have a group of people over for a party. There is something about socializing/ conversation over yummy food (have you seen my previous "I LOVE FOOD" post?) that simply makes me happy. I also enjoy throwing themed-birthday parties for my children and husband. One themed-party that I wanted to do for ages was a Murder-Mystery Dinner Party. When I asked my husband if this was something he wanted for his own birthday, I heard the hesitation in his voice. No matter, I said. Since my birthday is only six days after his, I decided I will give myself a Murder-Mystery Birthday Party.

Fortunately, I live in a city where there are a lot of "Gamers" and all I had to do was visit my local game store, Game Night Games, to view a vast variety of packaged games. For those who do not have something so fun and so nerdy available, Amazon.com is also a great place shop Murder Mystery Games.

The brand "How to Host a Murder" by Decipher Inc offers a variety of Murder Mystery Games. "Why?", you ask. These games come with everything needed to throw a successful party: invitations, menu suggestions, name cards, costume suggestions, a host guide and other things depending upon the game (like maps, diagrams, etc.). The game I chose for the birthday party was Episode Number 5: The Chicago Caper.

This was on our invitations:

 You have received an invitation to S.P. Keasys place, a private club near the headquarters of notorious gangster Hal Cappone. Upon arriving, Hal is discovered murdered! Come in costume and assume the role of one of the suspects; MOLLY M. AWBSTERR (society dame from NY, the ultimate flapper in Chicago for the action, maintaining a most exclusive penthouse apartment), ERNIE ("BET A MILLION") G. AMBLER (Chicagos most colorful millionaire), "SILKY" M. ADAM (shady owner operator of the The Everlay Club, Chicagos most prominent private establishment), EDDIE ("SOCKS") R. GYLE (smooth fashionable and clever, avid golfer and gambler, owns the exlusive gaming house Green Tables where the affluent gamble), MALISSA F. ORRTHOT ("Scoop" made a name for herself as a crime reporter for the citys leading paper The Trumpet, her considerable beauty and lively charm helped further her career on both sides of the law), S. TREIGHTON HARROW (US District Attorney and chief opponent of the criminal element), ANNA MARIA CARLOTTA SASSINE (sultry voice, exuberant style and traditional blues renditions have earned here the nickname "Torchy", this smoldering beauty currently featured at the Green Tables), or BILLY ("THE KID") THROWER (star pitcher for the Stock Kings, currently holds the league strikeout record, off the field The Kid is fun-loving, hard-drinking, warm-hearted, lustful, brawling and hell-raising). Imagine your home is a 1920s speakeasy in Chicago as you and your guests enjoy hours of suspense and intrigue but mainly humor as you solve the crime over a dinner.

SO MUCH FUN, ITS ALMOST CRIMINAL!

Does sound fun, doesn't it? I have to say, it was a BLAST! So much fun, in fact, that my husband I brought the game to a small family reunion and played it again... even though we knew "who dun it", it was so much fun trying to throw people off :)

 

Next time you think about hosting a get-together with six of your best friends, consider doing something other than a barbeque in the backyard (again!). Make the gathering a little more exciting with a party theme like Murder Mystery. If you want to be especially crazy, have people come dressed up (this REALLY helps everyone get into character!). 

Scoop, Torchy, S. Treighton Harrow, Ernie "BET A MILLION" G. Ambler, & Molly M. Awbsterr

Scoop, Torchy, S. Treighton Harrow, Ernie "BET A MILLION" G. Ambler, & Billy "THE KID" Thrower

Foods I LOVE to Make & Bake, But Especially Eat

So I’m a little bit obsessed with cooking and trying new recipes lately. Actually, I've been like this ever since my husband I got married almost nine years ago. These are some of the REALLY good ones I’ve come across recently, and although not at all healthy, by all means, ENJOY!!

Oreo Crunch Cupcakes

http://www.littleinspiration.com/2011/07/oreo-crunch-cupcakes.html

Some people thought it was too much cookie and so I would take one side of the cookie off and use that in the batter.  I loved the taste of the frosting, but it was really flat.  I’m a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to my baking. :o)

German Chocolate Monkey Bread

http://www.heatherchristo.com/cooks/2012/02/17/german-chocolate-monkey-bread/

The only adjustment I would make to this is mix everything in together instead of layering.  Heaven!

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/pan-roasted-chicken-lemon-garlic-green-beans-10000000780291/index.html

Definitely follow the comments and cut back on the lemon, unless you like a lot of lemon.

Dried Strawberries

http://www.theworldwidegourmet.com/recipes/dried-strawberries-ruscalleda/

Oddly addictive.  

Honey Lime Tilapia

http://www.onelovelylife.com/?p=3118

If you like tilapia, divine.

Nachos... Yum :)

http://www.pamperedchef.com/recipe_search/recipe.jsp?id=75015

I love nachos and this is a light version

Sweet Potato Gnocchi

http://www.sassyradish.com/2009/10/sweet-potato-gnocchi/

First time I ever made gnocchi and oh there were good.

Spicy Kabocha Soup

http://naturalnoshing.wordpress.com/2011/11/21/spicy-kabocha-soup/

My new favorite soup.

Eggplant Focaccia

http://www.marthastewart.com/317126/eggplant-focaccia

One of my favorite eggplant recipes.

Peanut Butter Cups

http://www.sweetestkitchen.com/2009/04/homemade-peanut-butter-cups/#.Twsg-WBqOt8

These put Reese’s to shame.  If you aren’t a fan of chocolate & peanut butter... make this... it’s worth trying one.  I recommend making them in the mini-muffin tins instead of the standard size because they are so rich.

Avocado Chicken Parmigiana

http://ellenaguan.blogspot.com/2011/11/avocado-chicken-parmigiana.html

Simply delish!

Crispy Parmesan Asparagus

http://www.howsweeteats.com/2011/03/crispy-parmesan-asparagus-sticks/

Better than bacon-wrapped asparagus.

Sweet Potato Chips

http://www.marthastewart.com/317420/baked-sweet-potato-chips

This one was a huge hit on pinterest.  My husband is currently obsessed and could eat them every single day.

Man Pleasing Chicken

http://www.wittyinthecity.com/2011/08/man-pleasing-chicken/

Gotta love the name.

The Perfect Swirl

Cupcake stores it seems are all the rage these days. They have wonderful interesting flavours and they look like perfection. The problem is that at at least $2.50 per cupcake it can get a little steep when you have a lot of people to feed. So today I thought I would answer another question I frequently get asked: How do you get that swirl on the top of the cupcake? I have to say.....it's far easier than you can imagine and the results are fantastic.

Supplies:
Cupcakes
Your favourite buttercream icing (make a nice big batch...it takes a lot of icing)
Piping Bag (the bigger the better)
a 1M Tip (this is whats gonna do the magic)

Now I highly suggest using buttercream for this vs other icings. Buttercream holds its shape better whereas a cream cheese icing (for example) is more likely to look like its melting on you.

You take you tip and drop it into your piping bag. It is a bigger tip than normal and no coupler and ring are required. Then you fill your icing bag.

Hold your piping bag at a 90 degree angle and about a 1/4" away from the cupcake. Start moving around the cupcake in a spiral motion starting from the outside and working your way to the center of the cupcake. Be careful to not leave gaps. Once you have reached the center stop pressure and pull the tip away. Feel free to top with any sort of small decoration if desired.







And there you have it. Easy peasy and you have professional looking cupcakes! Enjoy

my first cupcake...it really is that simple!

(technique photos courtesy of Wilton.com)