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Need ideas for 18th B day party menu

M

mrsjimmyp

Guest
My daughter Jessica will be turning 18 on the 27th of this month and I am planning a party for her. I would love to hear some of your ideas for the menu. I don't want it to be the" typical "burgers and dogs.
Whew! time flies....she just graduated from Highschool and will be going off to college in the fall.....I'm starting to feel that empty nest syndrome !:(
 
Aw-w-w Francie I can relate to what you ae feeling now! It just comes too fast that they are grown & on their own, but have no fear once the "empty nest" stage passes you will be just fine!

Tonight I made my very first batch of tamales and they are cooking right now and smell sooooo good! What about a Tamale Party? They really are not that hard to make, I had my little one and her friend help me as I twisted & tied the ends. Or you could make it easier and have a Taco Party and let everyone build their own! Or heck since you live on a farm you could do a Hawaiian Luau and do a pig roast in a pit! I think the teenagers would appreciate whatever you decide to do!

Wish I could be there to help you plan and prepare, I am sure it is going to be a blast!!!

And Happy Birthday to your sweetie!:)
 
Wow, Francie... my niece Hailley also just graduated. We had a little shin-dig/open-house for her and we did a pulled pork bbq sandwich spread that included pasta salad, fruti kebobs, chips, cake and rootbeer floats.

Cathy's ideas sound yum-yum too!

Have a BLAST, dear!
 
My middle child, Daughter graduates on Monday here. All she is really thinking about is a cheesecake with raspberries covered with a gnash.
I am thinking it might be cool to do a party with a Hawaiian Luau theme at the pool. Non alcoholic tropical drinks for the kids of course.
 
Those are some great ideas gang ! I was throwing around the idea of a hawaiian theme. Jess is a real artsy type and that would prob be a great one for her.
Sis Cathy...I know we would have a blast if you were here !
 
Sweet Sis Francie,

Now ya' just gotta keep us in the "know" on all that you decide to do!:) I am sure no matter what direction you decide to go it will turn out terrific! And Jess will love it. You are making her happy in just about every way possible, and especially in honoring her with a big celebration!

I wonder if you decide to go with the Hawaiian Luau if you could find some authentic Hawaiian music, gosh would teenagers even like that music??? LOL
 
Hawaii'n music?

You're proll'y all familiar w/ Izzie Kamakawiwoole's version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" right? If you love his version as I do, check out his cd (link below) It's lovely, incredible island music and even includes a way-cool Polynesian version of John Denver's "Country Roads"! And it looks like there are USED copies of the cd available too!

Amazon.com: Facing Future: Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole: Music
 
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at this tiime of the year the dollar stores have all sorts of "island type" items as well - like lei's, floral plates and cups (which BTW my friend through a huge luau in her backyard which cost her a small fortune - dug a hole for the pig on a spit - went all out - and the plastic cups and dishes they used - her daughter took a few to her dorm - happie memories)
they even dug up the yard and made a huge BBQ with giant racks for doing chicken and pork as well


HULI HULI CHICKEN

4-6 chicken halves
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup catsup
1/2 cup chicken broth or white wine
1/4 cup pineapple juice
1 tablespoon Worcestershire
1 tablespoon fresh ginger or garlic

Preheat grill approximately 10 minutes on Phase II with louvers
closed.

Combine all ingredients. Marinate for 2 hours at room temperature or
24 hours in the refrigerator.

Place the chicken skin side down on the grill. Cook for 30 minutes.
Turn the chickens and cook for another 25-30 minutes or until done.



Hawaiian Pineapple Chicken


3 tb Vegetable oil
2 c Cooked, boned chicken cut into small chunks
1/2 c Celery, diced
1/2 c Scallions, finely sliced
2 tb Soy sauce
1/2 c Macadamia nuts, chopped
1/2 ts Sugar
1/2 c Chicken stock
1 c Fresh pineapple, cut in chunks

Heat oil in wok, or skillet, and saute chicken, scallions and celery for 3 minutes. Stir in soy sauce, nuts and chicken stock. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Add pineapple and simmer another 3 minutes. **If macadamia nuts are not available, use brazil nuts.


Pineapple Heaven

1 can pineapple (in own juice)
1 lemon pound cake (or sugar-free angel food cake)
1 package vanilla pudding
1 small container cool whip
1 cup chopped nuts


1. Drain pineapple, save juice. 2. Slice pound cake (medium-size slice) and layer in bottom of square or rectangular dish. 3. Pour small amount of pineapple juice over cake. 4. Fix pudding as directed, layer on top of pound cake. 5. Layer pineapple on top of pudding, keep layering, starting with pound cake, until almost to the top of the dish. 6. Final layer, end with layer of pound cake on top cover with cool whip, sprinkle with chopped nuts. 7. Refrigerate before serving
 
Haupia Cream Cheese Pie


CRUST:
2C Graham Cracker crumbs
1C Butter, melted

CREAM CHEESE FILLING:
2 (8 oz) pkgs Cream Cheese, softened
1 1/2C Powdered Sugar
1t Vanilla
2C Cool Whip

Haupia:
3 (13.5 oz) cans Coconut Milk
1 1/2 C Sugar
1 1/3C Cornstarch



Combine Crumbs and Butter. Press into a 9x13 pan. Refrigerate.
Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar; add Vanilla. Stir in Cool Whip. Spread on crust. Refrigerate until set.
In a saucepan, mix all ingredients for Haupia until smooth.
Cook on Medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
Remove from heat and cool down mixture continuing to stir.
When cool to touch, pour Haupia over Cream Cheese filling.
Refrigerate to set.



Hawaiian Pie

1 (9 inch) baked pie shell
1 small flat can pineapple bits (well drained)
Layer in pie crust.
Top with 1 sliced banana which has been dipped into pineapple juice.
Strawberry filling:
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
2 T cornstarch

Cook until thick and clear. Add 3 tablespoons strawberry (dry) Jelly. Cool. Mix in fresh strawberries. (approx. 2 cups) When berries are covered with glaze, pour into pie shell with pineapple and bananas. Garnish with Cool Whip.



PINEAPPLE KABOBS

Fresh pineapple
1/4 c. honey
2 tbsp. butter
1 tsp. cinnamon

Combine honey, butter and cinnamon. Pare and cut fresh pineapple into long wedges. Grill over medium heat 15 minutes basting with sauce. Turn frequently.
 
Pineapple Upside-Down Pie


1 (20 ounce) can pineapple tidbits
Water
3 tablespoons cornstarch
3/4 cup brown sugar, firmly packed, divided use
2 tablespoons lemon juice
6 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup pecan halves
Pastry for 2 crust pie

Drain pineapple. Add water to pineapple syrup to make 1 1/4 cup.

Combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup brown sugar in saucepan. Add lemon juice and pineapple syrup mixture; cook, stirring constantly, until mixture is thick and clear.

Remove from heat and add 2 tablespoons butter, stirring until it melts. Add pineapple.

While preheating oven to 425 degrees F, place remaining 4 tablespoons butter in bottom of 9-inch pie pan; place in oven until butter is melted.

Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup brown sugar and 1 tablespoon water. Arrange pecan halves, rounded side down, around bottom and sides of pie pan. Carefully line pan with pastry. Spoon in pineapple mixture.

Adjust top crust, flute edges; cut vents. Place pie on square of foil in oven to catch drippings.

Bake in hot oven (425 degrees F) 25 minutes. Turn out, upside down, on serving plate immediately. Cool on rack before cutting.

Serve with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.




Pineapple-Lemon Parfait Pie

1 8" baked or crumb pie shell
1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, drained
Drained pineapple liquid plus water to make 1 ½ cups
1 package (3 ounces) lemon-flavored gelatin
2 cups vanilla ice cream, slightly softened
Whipped cream or frozen shipped topping for garnish

Add water to reserved pineapple juice to make 1 ½ cups. Place in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Pour it into a medium bowl, add the gelatin and stir until dissolved. Add the ice cream by spoonfuls (a whisk makes this easy) and stir until each spoonful is melted before adding the next. Refrigerate until the mixture is thickened but not set - 5 to 10 minutes (it should mound softly when dropped from a spoon). Fold in 1 cup only of the drained pineapple.

Spoon the filling into the pie shell and refrigerate for 8 hours or overnight, until firm. To serve, garnish with whipped cream or whipped topping.

Variations:
Lemon: Omit pineapple. Use lemon-flavored gelatin. For the liquid use the juice of 1 lemon plus water. Add grated rind of 1 lemon.

Strawberry: Omit pineapple. Use strawberry-flavored gelatin and strawberry ice cream. When softly set fold in 1 cup of sliced fresh or frozen strawberries.

Concord Grape: Omit pineapple. For liquid, use 1 ¼ cups grape juice plus 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and grated rind of 1 orange. For gelatin use 1 enveope (3 teaspoons) unflavored plus 1/3 cup sugar.

Pumpkin: Omit pineapple. For liquid, use 1 cup of water only. Add ½ cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon ginger, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, ¼ teaspoon nutmeg, ¼ teaspoon salt. For gelatin use 4 teaspoons unflavored. When the filling has set, fold in 1 cup canned pumpkin.
 
Those are some great ideas gang ! I was throwing around the idea of a hawaiian theme. Jess is a real artsy type and that would prob be a great one for her.
Sis Cathy...I know we would have a blast if you were here !

If you are going to do a Hawaiian them you might also consider spam sushi on the menu. I know it sounds horrible but you have to trust me it's delicious. I've made it several times and it always disapears.
 
MAKE AHEAD FRUITED PASTA SALAD


1 c. Acini dePePe
1 to 1 1/2 c. pineapple orange juice
1 c. sugar
3 T. flour
3 eggs, beaten
2 c. fresh pineapple chunks
2 or 3 tangerines, peeled, sectioned
1 c. miniature marshmallows
1 tub (16 oz.) whipped topping

Cook Acini dePePe according to package directions; drain well. Cool. Combine pineapple-orange juice, sugar, flour and eggs in saucepan or glass bowl; mix well. Cook over mediujm heat until thickened, stirring constantly, or microwave on medium-high, stirring twice. Add to mixture of Acini dePePe and fruit in serving bowl; mix gently. Chill, covered, overnight. MAKE AHEAD TO THIS POINT.

Fold in marshmallows and whipped topping just before serving.

Serve 8 to 10


HAWAIIAN SPARERIBS

2 pounds spareribs, cut into 1 rib sections
1/4 cup flour
1 tablespoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons shortening
1 (9 ounce) can pineapple chunks or tidbits
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons white Vinegar
1/4 cup tomato Ketchup
1 small onion, quartered
1 medium green pepper, cut into 1-inch squares

Shake spareribs in paper bag with flour, salt and pepper. Brown in shortening in skillet.

Drain pineapple; retain juice; add water to make 1 1/4 cups. Combine with sugar, vinegar, ketchup and onion; pour over spareribs. Cover; simmer 1 hour 15 minutes, basting occasionally, or until meat is tender.

Add green pepper and pineapple; simmer 5 minutes or until green pepper is tender. Remove excess fat.

Makes 4 servings



HAWAIIAN MIST

4 ounces ice
8 ounces Ruby Mist iced tea*
2 ounces orange juice
A splash of lemon juice concentrate
OR
1 squeeze fresh lemon

Combine ice, iced tea, orange juice and a splash of lemon juice, in a cocktail shaker or a jar with a lid. Shake until cold and frothy. Pour into a tall iced tea glass.

Servings: 2



Banana Slush Punch


5 bananas
1 can frozen Orange juice concentrate -- 12 oz.
1 can frozen Lemonade concentrate -- 6 oz.
2 cups sugar
1 can Pineapple juice -- 46 oz.
2 2 liter Lemon Lime Soda -- chilled

Mash bananas thoroughly and add slightly thawed frozen juices.

Add sugar and pineapple juice. Stir well to disslove sugar. Pour
into one gallon container and add enough water to come within
one inch of the top. Freeze.

When ready to serve, pour in a 2 gallon punch bowl. Add lemon-
lime soda. Enjoy!

Punch base can be frozen and kept indefinately.

Suggestion: Mash the bananas in the blender and add frozen juices to that. In a large pitcher, add pineapple juice and sugar and stir until
dissolved. Mix the two together and pour into a clean one gallon
milk or water (preferable) container. Fill with water and freeze.
When ready to serve, cut plastic bottle off of the frozen base and
pour chilled soda over. Can break up big chunk as it melts.



Jello Slush Punch

2 Small boxes jello (I used peach flavor)
1 can (64 oz) pineapple juice
1 bottle (64 oz) white cranberry juice
1 2 liter bottle Sprite or 7 up

Pour 2 cups boiling water over gelatin and stir until jello is dissolved. Add juices and freeze until solid (overnight). 1 hour before party, thaw jello-juice mixture on counter @ room temperature.

To mix punch:
Place semi-thawed mixture into punch bowl. Pick w/ice pick into chunks. Pour bottle of soda over chunks and serve.
 
Ya know, if people keep eating Spam, they are just going to make more.

I know I was horrified when I saw the recipe being that I was terrorized as a child by spam fried in bacon fat. But I tried it just to prove to someone how awful it would be and ended up loosing that bet. It's the only tasty way to make spam in my opinion.
 
EEWWW ! SPAM ! lol..does sound horrible :eek:...but never know it may be good.
Wow ! Mama ! you have just out done yourself.I appreciate the recipes. I am afraid I won't be able to spend a lot of money on the party but I did find some great supplies at the Dollar tree store. I had to drive 75 miles to the closest one but it was worth it!
Kev....thanks for the music suggestion.

I have to get busy ....the 27th is not far away !

Awww Sis Cathy....can't help but spoil my baby girl...she's the only one I have. Now if I can just keep this a surprise for her ! ;)
 
The Dollar Tree is such a nifty store, and ours even has lots of stuff for a Luau! Not to mention Big Lots, now you've got me wanting to throw my little one a party! A luau to be exact!!! Because I have always wanted to have one. Well I did plan and conduct one when I was an Activity Director at an Assisted Living Center where I once worked! Even had a lady come that was a native Hawaiian and she did the hula and taught all my residents how to hula, it was a blast!!!

I imagine a Luau with a real pig roasting would be awesome, those Spam-K-Bobs would be hard to swallow for me. I am not a Spam lover, even though I know many who like it. Eddie bought a can once, I snuck it into trash, I just could not bear to have that crap cooked in my house and was scarred to death if he got started eating it he might expect me to make it often GOD FORBID!!!:eek: And I can only imagine all the clogged arteries you would get eating Spam fried in bacon fat no-less:( Poor old Hawiians need some health classes, that stuff is really dangerous if injested too often:eek:
 
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