Need app/entree ideas for a birthday party! Help!!

ok, my birthday is Tuesday and i am having a few friends and family over on Sunday.
This will also be the first time everyone sees the place.
Anyhow, I have about 14 people coming which will really fill up our small place.

I need ideas of what to make! Keep in mind it needs to be easy to eat in the event there are no seats. something that just requires a fork and a hand to hold the plate

I was thinking of doing a big penne ala vodka.
Easy to eat, filling and will satisfy the whole crowd.
but not only have i never made it, i have to make a HUGE batch.. so that might be tricky.

i need some ideas! any thoughts??

i think i am going to make a spin artichoke dip and a 7 layer mexican dip too....

TIA

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Posted by hunnybunnyxoxo

ok, my birthday is Tuesday and i am having a few friends and family over on Sunday.
This will also be the first time everyone sees the place.
Anyhow, I have about 14 people coming which will really fill up our small place.

I need ideas of what to make! Keep in mind it needs to be easy to eat in the event there are no seats. something that just requires a fork and a hand to hold the plate

I was thinking of doing a big penne ala vodka.
Easy to eat, filling and will satisfy the whole crowd.
but not only have i never made it, i have to make a HUGE batch.. so that might be tricky.

i need some ideas! any thoughts??

i think i am going to make a spin artichoke dip and a 7 layer mexican dip too....

TIA

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Pigs in blanker-I work for 'fancy people' and yet they love this cheap appetizer. Buy mini franks from somewhere lik costco and then get a package of that frozen pilsbury dough. You take a little piece of dough and wrap each little frank then stick em in the oven till the dough crips up. Always a big hit.

Happy early B day btw!

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Posted by PeteysBride

Happy early B day btw!

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thank you! thank you!

i do like the pigs in a blanket! they are my husband's fav! and easy to make!

thanks!

u can never go wrong with the classic spinach dip in the bread bowl....YUUUUM

now i want some! lol!

ps: what about some kind of skewers??? i know they sell pre-marinaded ones in the supermarket... this might be a good idea & they're super yummy

try here:

Party menus

I freakin love piggies in blankets.

Also, Costco has a tray of 100 miniappetizers, you just pop them in the oven to heat up, they INCLUDE said P-i-Bs and a bunch of quiches and other things.

Feeds a crowd and heats up in a hurry. SO GOOD.

ooh good ideas!
keep em coming!
thanks!!

Bacon wrapped shrimp

INGREDIENTS
16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 slices bacon
barbeque seasoning, to taste (optional--i find salt & pepper is best--i know it tells you to season 'heavily' in the instructions, but i've never used the bbq seasoning before--just salt & pepper)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Wrap shrimp with 1/2 slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick. Be sure and use the large shrimp--the cooking time for the shrimp and the bacon is similar. If you use medium-sized shrimp, you might want to precook the bacon a little--over cooked shrimp are tough and rubbery--and a real shame.

Line a jelly roll pan with extra heavy duty foil, and place baking rack in pan. Place the shrimp on the rack, and sprinkle heavily with the barbecue seasoning, turn and sprinkle second side. Let the shrimp sit for 15 minutes. The bacon will turn from creamy white to a little opaque, and the seasonings will soak in.

Cook the bacon for 10 to 15 minutes. The rack keeps the shrimp from sitting in the draining bacon fat. With a little luck, you won't tear the foil -- you can throw that away and only have to scrub the rack.

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Posted by Colette

I freakin love piggies in blankets.

Also, Costco has a tray of 100 miniappetizers, you just pop them in the oven to heat up, they INCLUDE said P-i-Bs and a bunch of quiches and other things.

Feeds a crowd and heats up in a hurry. SO GOOD.

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LOVE Costco! When i got my own membership card (DH ahd one alread) I was PSYCHED! Like WHOA I am truly a suburban wife now!

They have tons of stuff in the frozen section. I love the spinach ravioli-cooks in like 5 minutes. Always a huge hit. Shrimp scammpi is good too and they have tons of pre-prepped food also.

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Posted by MJDoc12



Bacon wrapped shrimp INGREDIENTS
16 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 slices bacon
barbeque seasoning, to taste (optional--i find salt & pepper is best--i know it tells you to season 'heavily' in the instructions, but i've never used the bbq seasoning before--just salt & pepper)

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C).

Wrap shrimp with 1/2 slice of bacon, securing with a toothpick. Be sure and use the large shrimp--the cooking time for the shrimp and the bacon is similar. If you use medium-sized shrimp, you might want to precook the bacon a little--over cooked shrimp are tough and rubbery--and a real shame.

Line a jelly roll pan with extra heavy duty foil, and place baking rack in pan. Place the shrimp on the rack, and sprinkle heavily with the barbecue seasoning, turn and sprinkle second side. Let the shrimp sit for 15 minutes. The bacon will turn from creamy white to a little opaque, and the seasonings will soak in.

Cook the bacon for 10 to 15 minutes. The rack keeps the shrimp from sitting in the draining bacon fat. With a little luck, you won't tear the foil -- you can throw that away and only have to scrub the rack.

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Mel I am making this for ME! Notebooking this!

there was an AWESOME dip at the PP -- a buffalo chicken dip that was unreal and delicious....i gotta find that thread. i think that can be a good party food--cause its chock full of shredded chicken.

ETA: just bumped the PP recipe thread



oh and jen---the shrimp taste GREAT in that recipe. quick and easy

omg! i am loving this!
thanks Mel!!

I think i def. want to do a shrimp app!
didnt think of that!

thanks!

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Posted by MJDoc12

there was an AWESOME dip at the PP -- a buffalo chicken dip that was unreal and delicious....i gotta find that thread. i think that can be a good party food--cause its chock full of shredded chicken.

ETA: just bumped the PP recipe thread



oh and jen---the shrimp taste GREAT in that recipe. quick and easy

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I want to try that buffalo dip too. We're having friends over in a few weeks and I want to play hostess. I prefer appetizer parties to dinner parties so I like the appetizers to be hearty.

I had a scallops wrapped in bacon recipe but I like shrimp better.

yes! i love appetizer parties too!
i think i want to try that chicken buffalo dip! sounds ridiculous!

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Posted by hunnybunnyxoxo

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Posted by PeteysBride

Happy early B day btw!

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thank you! thank you!

i do like the pigs in a blanket! they are my husband's fav! and easy to make!

thanks!

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I was going to say pigs in a blanket too. Also, I love to do fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil w/ balsamic vinegar, but bite size. Take small wooden skewers and use the small fresh mozarella balls, cherry/grape tomatoes and a piece of basil on each skewer. Then drizzle with balsamic vinegar. That way, people don't need to cut it with a knife and fork. Good luck with your party!!

Buffalo wings
Garlic knots
Pizza (cut into tiny pieces)
Pig in a Blanket (my favorite)