Daily Party Dish

Celebrating Leap Day: An Extra Day in My Life

My life is busy. Seems like I never have time to do those “special” things I have on my to-do list.  Well this year will be different. I’m treating Leap Day as an extra day in my life. I get by with 365 days every other year.  So I figure I can get my work done in 365 days this. Bingo, one extra day in my life.

I’m pretty good at going on “dates” with my wife and hugging my kids so you won’t see that sort of thing on this list. I’m going for the things I never seem to have time for. I’ve got 7 to choose from. I figure I should be able to squeeze 4 or 5 of them into a one great day.

1. Go to an Ohio State basketball game. My son is getting his PhD. In Columbus and that 2 hour drive from Cleveland never seems to happen   I’ve cancelled on him twice already this year because other things have interfered. I figure with tickets in hand I would have to go and see my kid and a good game. Great fun.
2. Really watch a sunrise or a sunset. We used to live 3 houses from the lake and this would happen occasionally.  Since we moved many years ago it never happens.  Good for the soul and a good way to contemplate  your place in the universe.  I think this one has to happen.
3. Go for a walk in a creek in the Metroparks and catch salamanders.  I used to do this with the boys. It was fun. It was healthy. It was eye-opening.  They went off to school and I stopped doing it. I like this one a lot but it’s messy. Not sure I can fit it in.
4. Go watch WWE Monday Night Raw live or go to a Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival play. I know this doesn’t make sense but whenever I figure out what live entertainment to see these two always make the initial list but never make the final cut.  Today’s the day I finally fit one of them in!
5. Sit on my patio, with my very best friends, drink a few beers and talk about everything and nothing.  We used to do this always. Now there has to be a social event with plenty of people around and a theme of some sort.  I just want 3 or 4 of us to ramble into the early hours.
6. Go dancing. Enough said.
7. Go for a train ride.  I’m talking about going in style. With a drink car and a dinner car. There seems to be a romance to this but flying or driving always seems faster. Today I have the time.

Of course, if none of this happens Leap Day seems like a good idea for a party.

Just curious. What would you do with an extra day?

The Super Bowl Party Goes Online: Turning your party into a Global Event

I’m guessing most of you watched the Super Bowl with some friends. With over 110 million people watching the game it’s an educated guess.  You talked and laughed with the people in the room and much of the talk was about the commercials, no? But did you join the massive conversation that went on globally?  The infographic below shows how many people commented on FaceBook and Twitter during the game. Amazing numbers, don’t you think? 

This got me wondering if people were using these sites to add to their own party. I know we were checking our phones and sharing tweets that we thought were funny or outrageous. Added to the fun of the party.  Seems like this could work for individual parties based around an event like the Super Bowl or maybe the election and primaries.  But I really think this could help with corporate events or activities.

What do you think?

Make sure to check out some of our other Super Bowl ideas, too:

• Super Bowl Party Ideas
• Super Bowl Theme Party Invitations and Favors
• Super Bowl Party Games

 

The Do’s and Don’ts of Super Bowl Sunday

Let’s admit it. Super Bowl Sunday is a national holiday for Americans. The world stops for a day and everybody focuses on getting together with friends, eating too much, placing a friendly wager or two, watching the ads and maybe paying attention to the game.  This is Super Bowl XLVI and while I can’t read Latin I think that means the Super Bowl has been around long enough to learn some dos and don’ts that will help you have a great Super Bowl party.

Do get outside and get some exercise. The game starts late and running around can be fun (Turkey Bowl) and keeps you from getting too excited too soon.

Don’t overdo it. There’s no join watching the game from an emergency room or wrapped in Ice packs. 

Do start your party early. Not too many people stay after the game and if you want to chat with friends plan on doing it before the game.

Don’t spend the time watching the pre-gameshow. That 4 hour agony kills brain cells.

Do have plenty of food. People will be there for 6 hours so they’ll eat. Have food that will sit for awhile (Chili!).

Don’t try to make it all yourself. Encourage friends to bring a dish. No one minds.

Do have some friendly betting games. Vegas has an amazing number of prop bets. Use them or bet on silly things like the coin flip or who catches first pass.

Don’t make the stakes too high. People will have as much fun winning $20 as they will winning $200 and no one gets hurt.

 

Do have a place where “serious” fans can watch the game without interruption. It is the biggest game of the year and some people will be really into it.

Don’t assume that everyone will care about the game. There are millions (literally) of folks that don’t really care. We have a separate room for folks that don’t feel like watching every play. (It does have a TV for the ads.)

 

Pretty simple stuff but I’m pretty sure it is a winning combination for any Super Bowl host. Enjoy the game!

• Super Bowl Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Super Bowl XLVIII Theme Party
• Super Bowl Invitation Wording
• Super Bowl Party Supplies and Decorations
• Super Bowl Party and Betting Games 
• Super Bowl Party Menu
• Super Bowl Trivia

The NFL Playoffs in Cleveland - How to party when your team is never in them

I’ve had season tickets to Browns games since 1974. Some may think of that as masochism but until 1995 it was great. Some good teams and memorable playoff battles. Unfortunately, no Super Bowl appearances, but still it was fun to tailgate, cheer and hope for the best.

Since 1999 it has been different. The new stadium lacks the character of Municipal Stadium (think troughs in the men’s room, mud in front of the baseball dugouts, no advertisements every five feet and very knowledgeable and passionate fans).  The team has been awful (and that might be kind) and 5-11 is a decent season.  This makes the season less fun and the playoffs painful.  It turns out your main entertainment is to root for your arch-rivals to lose.  And then hope for an entertaining Super Bowl as a back drop for an afternoon of fun, frivolity and overindulgence.

That means this year is off to a great start with Denver’s victory over Pittsburgh. Denver is associated with some painful memories from the Elway years but nothing like the misery the Steelers have delivered over the years. So when the Browns aren’t in the playoffs (which apparently is always) you have to root against the Terrible Towels. So far, so good.

Next up is the Ravens. I don’t have quite the venom as others in town do but it does hurt that our team goes to Baltimore and then wins a Super Bowl.  So let’s see Houston win next week and then I can just sit back and watch the games with a certain emotional detachment. That means the last two weeks of football this year can be enjoyed with friends and without tears. In fact it will make for a perfect Super Bowl party (or at least as perfect as it can be without the Browns).

By the way, if you want to know how bad it’s gotten on the Cleveland sports scene the highlights of the Browns season is watching Pittsburgh lose in the playoffs and the highlight of last year’s Cavs season was watching the Heat lose in the NBA Finals. Yikes!

Thank goodness my friends are great, the food is excellent and the beer is cold at our football parties. And wait until next year.

• Super Bowl Party and Betting Games 
• Super Bowl Party Menu
• Super Bowl Trivia
• Unique Party Ideas from Party411.com

 

By Flickr user Zoonabar [CC-BY-2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Oktoberfest Beer and Polka Favorites

It’s Oktoberfest time, which means it's time to come up with some fantastic Oktoberfest Party Ideas! A good Oktoberfest party is about as much fun as I can have since it combines two of my favorite things in the world, beer and polka dancing. Beer can find almost anywhere but usually you can only polka at weddings and Oktoberfest.

In honor of this most noble tradition I decided to share a list of my 5 favorite polkas and 5 favorite beers.

My favorite polkas to dance to:

• Beer Barrel Polka
• Just Because
• Tic Toc Polka
• Too Fat Polka
• Liechtensteiner Polka

My 5 favorite beers:

• Great Lakes Brewing Co. Eliot Ness Amber Lager
• Dogfish Head 90 Minute Imperial IPA
• Pilsner Urquell
• Samuel Smith’s Nut Brown Ale
• Guinness Extra Stout

Now I’m no expert but I’m guessing that anyone mixing a couple from the first list with a couple from the second list will have one great time.

Happy Oktoberfest!

 

Five Tailgating Tips

                                                                                           photo nolosabias

I know it’s only August but the NFL preseason has started, which means everyone will need new Tailgating Ideas for this year's season! People ask me why I go down to Browns games when I have to get up early, fight the crowd, pay for parking, etc. when I can watch the game from the comfort of my home on HDTV. Easy answer... I go for the tailgate party and stay for the game.

A good tailgate shouldn’t be stressful but it does require some planning. Here are 5 tailgating ideas that I think will help.

1. Control the crowd. Some people are comfortable with an “open” tailgate with everyone welcome. Most people would prefer to know how many mouths they have to feed. You can mark out an area by how you arrange your chairs. In a circle means it’s a closed event. Otherwise expect some drop-ins. Another option is to let everyone in but charge them. My son goes to a huge tailgate party that charges $20/man. He gets to eat and drink with no hassle for the cost of two stadium beers. Everyone is happy.
2. Make sure everyone can find you. Hang a banner, pennants or Mylar football balloons. If you are a tailgate warrior that parties before every home game consider something more permanent like a giant team flag or maybe a life sized cutout to mark the location. Not only will your guests find you, but other tailgaters will envy you.
3. Pack key items that everyone forgets. Chairs for the older folks, corkscrews, bottle openers, tons of paper towels, and garbage bags are some things that are easy to forget and are very helpful.
4. Pack toys: A football to toss around, a Frisbee or even a whiffle ball and bat can all be great fun.  A lot of people are bringing Cornhole games but they take up a lot of space.
5. Clean as you go. Bring plenty of garbage bags and make sure people use them. This isn’t only the right thing to do it’s the smart thing to do. Trust me. Driving over beer bottles can ruin a Sunday afternoon at the stadium.

Happy Tailgating!

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

• Summer Party Ideas 
• Summer Party Games
• 60th Birthday Party Ideas 

Memorial Day Menu: Recipes for your Holiday Cookout

Moms move aside this weekend. It’s Memorial Day and time for Dad to show off his grilling skills.  After a spring of record setting rain and terrible storms it’s time to get outside and at least pretend it is summer.

I’ve put together some of my favorite recipes for a holiday cookout. I did not include burgers, brats, dogs or steaks since that is grilling 101. If you don’t know how to cook them do your best to get an invite to a neighbor’s cookout. :P

I used recipes from The Food Network since that site is easy to search for a recipe you like and I added my thoughts and suggestions.

Bobby Flay is their grill guru so it makes sense to start with his Top Ten Grilling Tips. I worked in restaurants for 30 years and I would say the first four tips are crucial. First, know and trust your butcher. Even a good supermarket will cut meat to your needs. Second buy good meat. Flay suggests Prime or Black Angus. You can go with a lesser cut and have a great steak this way. Third, look for marbling. You can go on your diet tomorrow. Fourth, bring your steak to room temperature before you cook it. This is probably one of the biggest mistakes I see.

Main Courses

• Glazed Double Cut Pork Chops: I think pork chops are one of the hardest things to cook on the grill. The time between cooked enough but juicy and shoe leather are very close. Using a double cut pork chop makes things a little easier and the presentation is stunning.  
• 50 Kebab Recipes:  I usually do a traditional steak kabob with sirloin, mushrooms, onion and cherry tomatoes but here are 50 recipes. So take your pick.
• Grilled Shrimp:  This is Rachel Ray’s recipe. I like to go minimalist with shrimp since I think it is very flavorful by itself.  Doing a shrimp cookout with three or four shrimp recipes is real fun and sure to make everyone happy.
• Greek Orzo and Grilled Shrimp Salad:  This can be a main course or a side. Very tasty and different. You can also make it in advance which is nice.
• Asian Grilled Salmon:  This recipe has mustard, soy sauce and garlic which makes it a surefire hit around my house. Salmon can be tricky so cook this once for practice before you  served 20 of your closest friends.

Side Dishes

• Paula Dean’s Southern Baked Beans:  I made this for a party of 60 at my house and we ran out of it early. Paula will never get the Heart Association Seal of Approval but her food sure tastes good.
• Grilled Peaches with Prosciutto and Balsamic: This recipe is one reason that Bobby Flay is a genius. Pairing fruit and prosciutto is something I’d done but I had never thought about the grill. Yummm!
• Grilled Corn on the Cob:  This recipe uses husked corn.
• Perfectly Grilled Corn on the Cob:  This recipe keeps the husk on and is my preference. Make sure the husks are soaked though or you will have some flame ups.
• Grilled Vegetables:  I usually just grill asparagus, eggplant or zucchini but this recipe suggests more. I like using grilled veggies because they are not only tasty but good at room temperature so you can make them in advance. A big challenge in a cookout is timing the sides and main course. This makes it easier.

Dessert

• Patriotic Berry Trifle: They say it only takes 35 minutes, and it looks well worth it.
• Stewed Fresh Berris: Over some vanilla ice cream? Sounds good to me.
• Snickers Milkshake: This is a big hit in the office. I would suggest it for smaller gatherings.
  

Of course there are many more options but this is a good starting point for your Memorial Day Cookout. If you have a recipe that you would like to share feel free to share in the comments section below.

• Memorial Day Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Memorial Day Party Games
  

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Graduation Party Food Ideas

Menu Ideas for a Graduation Party

Most graduation parties are open houses and most are in summer so that means outdoor parties. Of course this isn’t always the case but here are menu ideas for an outdoor graduation party. That means you need food that’s easy to eat (it’s hard to use a knife and fork sitting on a lawn chair or on the grass), and that will hold up for a few hours outside. For high school or college graduations you will have teen-agers there which means more than one feeding (at least if they’re like my kids).

Appetizers

Graduations are family affairs and most families like to bring something to the party. I usually point them to appetizers and desserts. That means I can focus on the main course and I don’t have to do things I’m bad at (desserts). Even if the aunts are bringing food you will want some basics.

• Chips and Salsa. Easy to do. You buy the chips and you can buy commercial salsas and everybody will be happy. If you want to make your own salsa try this Artichoke Salsa. Of course I happen to love artichokes! 
  
• Mushroom Appetizers. Most recipes you can prep in advance and just throw a tray in the oven as you need them. Lots of variety too. Here are 20 top mushroom appetizers. Again, I'm a huge fan of mushrooms.
  
• Pizza. My Aunt Ann makes the greatest pizza ever and she insists on bringing enough for everyone. You may not have an Aunt Ann so just buy some. It’s easy and it’s universally liked. Oh, and it will hold up for entire party (even if it doesn't last).

Main Course

If you like to grill and if you think most people will be eating at the same time this works. You all have your own grill favorites. Make what makes you comfortable. Trust me if you make burgers, brats and some chicken everyone is happy.

• Burgers. I’m sure you make a great burger and if you provide lettuce, tomato, onion and condiments you have a winner but I have to share the recipe for Michael Symon’s Lola Burger. I had this at his B Spot restaurant recently. Amazing.
  
• Six foot sub. Always a hit and really makes a WOW statement on your table. The key to success if finding a bakery that makes a great 6 foot loaf.  Here are some suggestions for toppings but in the end put the things you or your graduate like on your sandwich.
  
• Pulled Pork Sandwiches. I like making pulled pork for large groups. It holds well in a crock pot and it’s delicious. 
• Southern Fried Chicken. Here’s Paula Deen’s recipe for chicken or you can just grill some yourself. I do think that managing a lot of chicken on the grill is tougher than burgers or brats so I tend to order a full pan or two from our local deli. A bit pricey but it makes managing the rest of the meal easier.
  

Dessert

I am very lucky because I never have to worry about desert. The family in a treasure trove of great bakers. If you have to do this the easiest thing is to buy a graduation cake and have some cookies. Who doesn’t really like cake and cookies? I also added a couple of ideas that can look great on any table.

• Grad Caps. This one is easy and really works for a grad party.
  
• Balloon Cupcakes.  I think this one is fun for a smaller party or maybe a preschool graduation party.  
  
• Hazelnut Butter Cookies w/Chocolate Cookies. All of you have some great cookie recipes but this one is great.
  
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Cookies. The PB&J one looks delicious but I haven’t tried it yet but what a great concept!

Have fun celebrating graduation!

• Graduation Party Ideas from Party411.com
• Graduation Open House
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Mardi Gras Menu

Like all great holidays Mardi Gras features some great food. I don’t get down to New Orleans for the celebration but I always get to (or host) a New Orleans style Mardi Gras party. A big question is always “What’s the Mardi Gras menu this year?”


Appetizers
In New Orleans it’s about the seafood so I think your appetizers have to feature some sort of seafood. If you are not having a formal sit down I think you can go with all appetizers and do just wonderfully. Here are some of my favorite recipes.

• Crab Cakes:  Everyone likes them and these can also serve as an entrée. I like this recipe from New Orleans Foodie. 
• Crab Florentine Mushrooms: Not quite a New Orleans recipe but it gives me an excuse to combine three of my favorite foods; crab, spinach and mushrooms. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
  
• Beignets:  If you have been to New Orleans you have been to Café du Monde for beignets. These are great for breakfast and great after an evening of imbibing. This is an easy recipe for beignets. Not quite the same as Café du Monde but yummy. And yes I did just name drop.
• Seafood Gumbo:  I’ve been to New Orleans 3 times and had gumbo about 10 times. Never fails to please. Here is a relatively easy way to prepare this signature dish. And yes, I'm thinking of using gumbo for an appetizer. 
• Grilled New Orleans Style Shrimp: Like crab cakes this works very well as an entrée as well. And I'm excited to try them.  

The Main Course

• Mardi Gras Jambalaya: This is usually my main course. It makes for a gorgeous presentation and is just fun to eat. There are a lot good recipes for jambalaya. This year I am going to try this one from Emeril that features duck. 
  
• Shrimp and Grits: Get down and get southern! Good grits are awesome. 
  
• Andouille Sausage and Shrimp with Creole Mustard Sauce: Sausage and shrimp? Count me in.  Be honest, your mouth watered a little just now, didn't it?
• Not really a seafood fan? Go with a southern meal of red beans, Southern Fried Chicken, and a baked ham. As a test run, I made the fried chicken the other day. And I have to say, it was fantastic!
  

Desert

• Mardi Gras King Cake:  For me this is the only choice. You can buy these at many bakeries if you are not a great baker. (That’s what I do.) Try this if you are a great baker though, or at least up to the challenge!
  
• Banana Pudding: This is a great alternative for a smaller group.
  
• Tri Colored Cupcakes: Everybody likes cupcakes, and these are delicious. Enjoy. (I know I did when they were in the office.)
  

Mardi Gras Cocktails
To be honest we mostly drink beer or our favorite adult beverage but for Mardi Gras I want, nay I need more. Here are a few drinks that I think you will enjoy.

• Hurricanes: Pat O’Brien’s sells a mix for this that is easy to use.
  
• These other two are some work to make and probably for an experienced mixoligist but they are tasty.
  • Ramos Gin Fizz : A classic New Orleans recipe.
    
  • Sazerac: An up and comer in the New Orleans scene. Worth a try, no? 
    

Do you have a great recipe that you use every year? Feel free to share in the comments below!

• Mardi Gras Party Ideas from Party411
• Mardi Gras Party Games
• Mardi Gras Supplies and Decorations