Daily Party Dish

St. Patrick's Day Open House Recipe Roundup

Every year I have an open house for St Patrick's Day. The menu is usually the same... corned beef, cabbage, potato salad and beer :) I try to vary it a bit from year to year. I am compiling my shopping list today and thought I would share my menu for this year, along with some of the recipes I use for my Irish feast.

Crockpot corned beef - this is the recipe I have tweeked over the years. Since I am cooking for a large crowd I use a roaster instead of a crockpot, because it needs to hold several briskets. VERY easy.

I make cabbage, carrots and potatoes to go with the corned beef, and I also set out the fixings for sandwiches (rye bread, mustard, horseradish, swiss cheese)

Pierogies - My family loves pierogies... and potatoes are perfect for St Pats :)

Irish soda bread - one with raisins and another without. Lots of butter to smear all over it!

Other sides: Dill pickles, potato salad (usually just buy it from the deli), potato chips

For dessert I am making these cupcakes, except I will use all 7 colors of the rainbow and add a chocolate gold coin as a cupcake topper :)

And for the adults - Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Whiskey and Baileys! I have never made thse before, so we'll see if they are good anough to be added to the yearly rotation. I'm hopeful :)

Other yummy foods we had over the years -

• Potato pancakes
• Lamb stew
• Shepard's pie
• St. Pat's brunch, a fry up (with corned beef hash of course!)

Hopefully this gives you a few yummy ideas for your own party. Have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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• St. Pat's Open House

Thoughts on Multiple Milestone Events and a Farfalle, Brie and Tomato Salad Recipe

Milestone events – how often do you have them on the same day in the same year? It is indeed unusual but not unheard of, and in my family, it’s downright typical!  I was born on my parents’ anniversary, my husband and two of his cousins share the same birthday and our two daughters were born on the same day, 3 years apart.  Having children with the same birthday always inspires a variety of comments that range from sympathy, because how do you have 2 birthday parties on the same day, to snickers about fertility. 

Regardless, as they say “it is what it is” and we have always managed to have all the parties we needed to without ever shorting anyone.  Until this year when we were confronted with the real challenge; the girls turned 18 and 21 on the same day and while they talked for years about celebrating their milestone birthdays together, when the actual time came, it wasn’t possible.  Our oldest daughter was out of the country.  While obviously not a major world crisis, this was a big issue in our family.

After much discussion, the girls decided that they would have “their party” when the older one returned home and the theme would be “Steaks, Cakes and Great Lakes.”  Well it sounded perfect except that steak for 50 people (their friends and some of our friends who had known the girls forever) was cost prohibitive and not everyone on the guest list was able to drink Great Lakes beer.  The cake was no problem.  So after even more discussion, we talk a lot in our family, we came up with a menu that was legal and pleased everyone!  Here is the menu and based on the almost non-existent leftovers, it must have been a good one.  (Note: everything could be prepared in advance so there was no last minute cooking!)

• Hummus, baba ghannouj, and warm artichoke dip were served with pita chips and fresh vegetables.
• Selection of olives, spicy tomatoes and peppers
• Teriyaki marinated flank steak sandwiches.  The meat was grilled the night before, sliced thin and served on either multigrain or white rolls with horseradish sauce and mustard.
• Honey roasted turkey sandwiches served on the same rolls.  Mayo and lettuce on the side.
• Crisp Caesar salad
• Farfalle, brie and tomato salad (so good and so easy, the recipe is below)
• Big bowl of green and red grapes
• Birthday cake and chocolate chip cookies
• Bowls of mixed nuts and candy on the buffet table and scattered about the party area
• Great Lakes Beer served in bottles so there was no confusion about what might be in the traditional red plastic cup. Wine, apple cider and sparkling water served in clear plastic cups.

Finally, since it was a birthday party, we had a Sponge Bob piñata that everyone, regardless of age loved trying to break open.  Sometimes you get lucky and you have a party where everything works and this was one of them!

Farfalle, Brie and Tomato Salad

Serves 12-16

Ingredients

• 4 large ripe tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 pound Brie cheese, rid removed and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1 cup loosely packed, chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 pound bow tie pasta, cooked al dente, rinsed in cold water and drained

In large bowl, combine tomatoes, Brie, basil, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

Cover and let stand at room temperature, up to 4 hours. 

Add cooked pasta and toss. 

Serve immediately or at room temperature.

 

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Last Minute Treat for Valentine’s Day: Heart Rice Krispies Treats

Holiday parties in elementary schools can sometimes feel like a grown up game of chicken; if you are really quiet, maybe someone will forget you’re there.  It’s not uncommon for the same group of parents or caregivers to plan all the festivities for school parties.  So, being one of those (over?) involved parents, I decided to just sit back and help my daughter make her valentines and not worry about anything else.  Well, what do they say?  “The best made plans…”  The afternoon before the annual Valentine’s Day party, I received a call from my daughter’s teacher saying the person in charge of the party snack had backed out and could I please help?  Did I really have a choice?  Of course not!  So I happily said I would love to help, all the while wondering how I was going to complete the other 12 tasks I had planned for the rest of the day. 

If I had to plan a snack at the last minute, it was going to be easy but I still had to make it “seasonal.”  Prowling the aisles of the grocery store looking for an inspiration it suddenly came to me – Rice Krispies Treats!  But I would tweak the recipe so they would be special for Valentine’s Day.  Fortunately, I only needed a few items.  My shopping list included:

• 1 box of Rice Krisipies
• 1 bag of strawberry flavored marshmallows
• Butter
• Pink, red and white m&ms
• Heart shaped cookie cutter

Making the treats was almost easier than buying the ingredients.

• Coat a 13x9x2 baking pan with cooking spray.
• Melt 3 tablespoons of butter in a large saucepan over low heat.
• Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.
• Remove from heat.
• Mix in 6 cups of Rice Krispies.
• Spread the mixture using waxed paper in baking pan.
• While the mixture is still warm, cut it into heart shapes using cookie cutter. 
• Remove from pan and gently push m&ms into warm treats.
• Allow to cool completely.

These are so tasty and simple to make.  And, the kids in my daughter’s class loved them.  Keep them in mind the next time the last minute ”please help!” call comes in.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

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Chocolate Peppermint Patty Brownies: The Perfect Winter Dessert

There’s nothing worse than being invited to a party, which is clearly a holiday party, and being told to please bring a festive dessert but not a “Christmasy” one as it’s a mixed crowd.  My first reaction was wow, and that leaves what….?  So, no decorated sugar cookies (my personal favorite) or gingerbread, a yule log is delicious but clearly only for Christmas and did anyone ever see plum pudding in July?  Probably not. 

On top of it all, the dessert was supposed to be bite-sized pieces because the whole meal is finger food.  Yikes!  I like baking but this was getting way too stressful, small pieces, chocolate (my requirement), fun, seasonalish, did such a dessert even exist?  Suddenly it came to me, chocolate mint brownies!  These were the perfect solution because I could cut them into small pieces and the layer of mint made them more interesting than regular brownies.

I decided to do a “dry run” and gave some brownies to the hostess just to be sure they were what she wanted.  Well, she absolutely loved them and asked me to double the recipe so that she could have a batch for her family.  Make these wonderful winter brownies for your friends, your family or yourself and the only comment anyone will have is, are there more?  Enjoy! 

Chocolate Peppermint Brownies

Ingredients

• 1½ cups softened butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 5 eggs
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• 2 cups flour
• 1 cup baking cocoa
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 package (13 ounces) chocolate covered peppermint patties

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Beat in vanilla.

Combine dry ingredients, add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Spread about 2/3 of the batter in a greased 9x13 inch baking pan.

Arrange a layer of peppermint patties on top of the batter.

Carefully spread the remaining batter on top.

Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the edges begin to pull away from the sides of the pan and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean (top may look uneven).

Cool completely before cutting.

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Pumpkin Bread Recipe: A Halloween Treat

My best friend in the world, who is also the head room parent of my 6^th grader’s class, said to me recently, “this year since the kids are too old for the Halloween parade, the teacher wants to do something different.”  Immediately the uh oh, hang up now bell went off in my head, but since she is my best friend, I didn’t.  I slowly said “yeessss,” wondering where I would fit in to this project.  So she tells me ”the class is having a Halloween luncheon and all you have to do is make something tasty, Halloweeny and healthy!”  Oh, is that all, I think. No corn syrup, no candy, is this even possible?  But then I remember I have a fabulous recipe for pumpkin bread.  It’s delicious, everyone loves it and there’s nothing in it that’s not on the food pyramid in an acceptable category.   

Note: this pumpkin bread can be made in 2 traditional loaf pans (lined with wax paper) but for a more seasonal twist, use pumpkin-shaped molds or muffin tins.  Once cool, they can be decorated with cookie icing.  Halloween molds and icing are available at any discount or craft store.

Pumpkin Bread

• 3 ½ Cups Flour
• 3 Cups Sugar
• 2 Teaspoons Baking Soda
• 1 ½ Teaspoons Salt
• 1 Teaspoon Nutmeg
• 1 Teaspoon Cinnamon
• 4 Eggs
• 2/3 Cup Water
• 1 Cup Oil
• 2 Cups Pumpkin (this is one 16 oz. can)
• 1 Cup of Raisins or Dried Cranberries (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl.  Add the oil, eggs, water and pumpkin.  Mix well.  Stir in raisins or cranberries. Turn into your pan of choice.  Depending on the type of pan, baking times will vary.  Traditional loaf pans take at least one hour.

Happy Halloween!

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Party Appetizer Ideas: Cheese Stuffed, Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

I make this recipe for many of our Sunday football parties. They are a great appetizer and not too hot!

Cheese Stuffed, Bacon Wrapped Jalapenos

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup mayo
• 3 tbsp dry ranch salad dressing mix
• 30 large jalapeno peppers, halved and seeded
• 2 packages cooked bacon
• bacon crumbles, half package
• toothpicks

Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F.

Slice off the top 1/4 of the peppers lengthwise. Remove the seeds and light colored vein.

Stir together the cream cheese, cheese, mayo, ranch dressing mix, and bacon crumbles. Fill each jalapeno half slightly overflowing with the cheese mix, wrap with a bacon strip, and secure with a toothpick.

Arrange the wrapped jalapeno halves onto a foil lined pan. Bake about 20 minutes.

Tips:

• To reduce "heat" make sure you cut out all the vein that the seeds grow on.
• You can also soak the peppers in iced water for 10 minutes before filling to take some of the heat out of the peppers.
• These are just as good with fat free mayo and reduced fat cream cheese.
• I always wear gloves when cutting the jalapenos, otherwise my hands burn for hours. And for goodness sake, don't touch your eyes or face at all :)

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Summer BBQ Menu for a Big Crowd: Some fun Summer Recipes

Celebrated my 60th birthday recently and had about 80 people over the house for the festivities. Lots of mouths to feed. I have a reputation for memorable meals so the food had to be good but we had to be able to make lots of it fast. Thought I would share my plan since the meal got rave reviews.

Off the Grill

Burgers -  Not only easy but expected. I had my butcher patty the burgers up for me in advance. I usually like to do this myself but this saves time and results in all 80 burgers being the same size. Also went with a smaller burger (6 oz. instead of the usual 8 oz.)  Not only did that fit the appetites of most of my guests but it saved about 10 lbs of meat or over $30. I season the burgers generously but the key is the surrounding cast. Get good buns and fresh lettuce leaves, tomato slices and thinly sliced red onion. All of a sudden it’s a feast.

Italian Sausage - I use Sicilian sausage which is very flavorful but not hot so you don’t have to worry about the wimps of the group.  I par cook the sausage the night before in the oven. About 30 – 40  minutes at 350º.  The next day you can finish them on the grill in about 15 minutes to add that outdoor flavor and a little crispness. I do about a 4 oz portion and make sure to get sausage rolls the right size. Too much bread makes a bad sandwich. In a large frying pan (cooked inside) we do a mix of onions and peppers and have mustard available so my guests have options for condiments.

Chicken - Enough cooking already. I have a local store provide about 80 pieces of roast chicken. They do a great job and the chicken doesn’t have to be off the grill hot to be delicious. (Makes a good leftover the next day too.)

Side Dishes

Don’t discourage friends from bringing what they like. Adds some variety to the table, takes some pressure off of you and lets your friends contribute to the feast. I never insist on this but I never turn down an offer either.

Baked Beans  The only way to go is Paula Deen’s recipe. It’s probably as unhealthy as baked beans can be but man are they good! I do cook the bacon before putting it on the beans. Paula doesn’t. I like my way better.

Fresh Fruit Summertime means it’s melon season. Everyone likes watermelon, honeydew, etc and it makes a stunning presentation.  You should cut the melon as close to serving time as possible and keep it refrigerated if you can. Cold means refreshing. If they are in season I will add some blueberries and strawberries for color and even more flavor.

Roast Red Potatoes I tried these this year and they worked great. With 80 people there was no grill room for baked potatoes and I did have an oven. I did 20 pounds of cut red potatoes. Added some olive oil, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Toss the potatoes to coat then add about a cup of water and a cup of white wine.  You can cook these the night before and then just heat them the next day.  A big hit with my guests!

Green Salad It’s summer time so use the bounty of the garden. Don’t be too fancy and definitely don’t use too much dressing. The salad will die in the heat. We usually serve two types of dressing on the side.

Desserts  I stink at making desserts so when people offer to bring things I encourage desserts. Things that don't melt super quick (ice cream cake is a bad idea) Sorry I can’t be more help here but this is the weak point in my arsenal.

So there’s your summer bbq menu for a big crowd. Hope it helps.

Thanks for coming to my party,
Jimmy

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Summer Party Recipe: Easy Strawberry Shortcake

The best summer party recipes are the easy ones. Quick, tasty and nothing that requires turning on an oven in the summer please! My family makes this easy strawberry shortcake all the time (that's my beautiful sister about to dig in to some).

Easy Strawberry Shortcake

Serves 10-12

2 quarts of strawberries
1 angel food cake
powered sugar
whipped cream (like Redi Whip)

Wash, stem, and cut strawberries in half (or quarters for the big ones). Place them in a bowl and squish them with a potato masher or fork. As you squish them, add powdered sugar to the strawberries.Mix more in until the topping is as sweet as you like.

Set out the sweet strawberry topping, cake and whipped cream. Let everyone cut themselves a slice and heap on the goodness. Enjoy!

St Patrick's Day Ideas: Crockpot Corned Beef Recipe

This is my easy go to corned beef recipe that I make for St. Patrick's Day. It is very easy to make, but you should cook it overnight in the crockpot or roaster oven.

This recipe makes approximately 5-8 servings, unless your having my brother over, then it is mush less... I usually make 20-30 pounds of corned beef, we almost always have a crowd and my family likes to eat :)

I serve it 2 ways; with boiled potatoes, carrots and cabbage, and I also set out sandwich fixings. Make sure you have plenty of potato salad. I also like to serve Irish Soda Bread and butter. Yum.

Ingredients -
3-5 pound corned beef brisket
can of light beer
water
1 tablespoon mustard seeds
1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
4 bay leaves

To serve on the side -
1 lb. baby red potatoes
1 lb. carrots, peeled and cut into thirds
1 large head of cabbage, cut into wedges

Or to make sandwiches -
Mustard
Horseradish
Swish Cheese
Rye Bread

Place the corned beef (fatty side down), bay leaves, peppercorns, and mustard seeds in a large crockpot or roaster oven. Pour beer over the brisket, then add water until it is covered by 1/2 inch of liquid. Cook on low overnight.

To cook the vegetables, use the cooking liquid (strain out fat, seeds and whatnot) to cook the potatoes and carrots for 10 minutes. Then add the cabbage and simmer 10-15 minutes more.

When slicing the corned beef, slice against the grain. It will probably fall apart since it is so tender, but don't worry, it is tasty that way too!

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Mardi Gras Party Idea: 3 Color Mardi Gras Cupcakes

With Mardi Gras fast approaching (March 8th!) it's time to plan out your sweet treats for your Fat Tuesday celebration. There is the traditional King Cake of course, but set out these purple, green and yellow cupcakes and your guests will be triply delighted when they bite into them!

 

Mardi Gras 3 Color Cupcakes

• White Cake Batter (I used a boxed mix)
• Food Coloring - yellow, green, and blue /red mixed for purple
• Frosting
• 3 Bowls and Spoons
• Muffin Pan and Cupcake Liners

Make your cake batter according the recipe or instructions (I used a boxed mix for my cupcakes). Separate into 3 bowls.

Add a few drops of food coloring to each of the bowls to make seperate colored batters, mixing red and blue to get the purple batter. I used quite a bit of food coloring to make these colors nice an bright.

Fill the cupcake liners 2/3 of the way with the colored batters. The easiest way is to gently spoon the colors on top of each other. Do not mix!

Bake the cupcakes according to your recipe or instructions on the box, and let them cool before frosting and adding sprinkles!

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