Party Panache, Birthday Football Bash
Last weekend we had a small family gathering
to watch the Alabama/Ole Miss Game
and to celebrate DD’s birthday
We like to celebrate birthdays in a big way,
and for DD’s birthday this year,
HHjr had a pretty funny idea for a theme
When DD first graduated from Ole Miss,
long before marriage, children and a demanding career,
she and a good friend made a couple of cookbooks
and sold them locally
They tested family and favorite recipes,
added new ones, and basically cooked up a storm
We all were delighted to be their tasters
and had many enjoyable gatherings with their delicious food
The recurring family joke
is asking DD if she made her Famous Bread Bowl
and HHjr is always teasing her
about the fact that she doesn’t cook anymore
He said to me, “Let’s make all the food for the party from her cookbooks
You can make name cards with “Delish Tips”
taken straight from the pages of her books
“Let’s get out that sign I gave you for Christmas
and we’ll think of something funny to write on it,” he suggested,
and make sure you make our names, the real cooks, prominent!
This sign made of glass,
and you use special markers to draw/write on it,
and then you can plug it in and it lights up and flashes…
Super tacky, but pretty hilarious!
I had a lot of fun setting up a birthday/football buffet
When DD went to Ole Miss they were still the Rebels
and the Rebel Man was their mascot
So, as politically incorrect as it is,
we still pull out the Rebel stuff on game day
I decided to make a 1/2 and 1/2 tiered tray for the centerpiece
I borrowed Alabama ornaments from my Sweet Home Alabama Tree
and used a couple of small bowls and and elephant mug full of popcorn
I also went through a box of birthday decorations,
and used parts of a wooden cake puzzle,
and cake and ice cream ornaments
One side is Alabama Football and one side is Happy Birthday!
When Big E saw it he said,
“Gigi, you know we’re coming up on Halloween,
not Christmas, right??”
He thought I was confused
because I was using shiny red and white balls,
red and green elephants and shiny packages
that represented Christmas to him 😂
The tray looked very festive
flanked by an Alabama flower pitcher on one side
and the Rebel Man on the other
The entire island was laid out with platters waiting to be filled with food
We had Chick Fil-A nuggets for the kiddos
and HHjr made BBQ Riblets
To make the riblets:
Ask the butcher to cut a slab of baby back ribs in half lengthwise
so you have 2 strips of approximately 2 inch long “riblets”
Cook or grill them just like larger ribs
These small riblets make great party food!
I ordered Bundtinis from Nothing But Bundt for an easy dessert
They had cute little birthday hat toppers
Big E made the Prosciutto Bread Bites all by himself!
{with a little supervision from Dad}
Prosciutto Bread Bites
Ingredients
- 1 can 12 count refrigerated bread stick dough
- 4 oz sun dried tomato spread, tomato pesto spread or pesto
- 4 oz prosciutto slices
- 1 cup Italian Blend shredded cheese, divided
- olive oil
Instructions
- Unroll dough onto a sheet of parchment paper on a baking sheet, keeping it together into 1 large rectangle, pinching the seams together if necessary
- Spread a layer of tomato pesto spread evenly over the dough
- Tear prosciutto into pieces and place over the tomato pesto
- Sprinkle with 1/2 of the cheese
- Carefullu roll dough into a log, starting from the long side and tucking in ingredients if necessary as you roll. The parchment paper can help with rolling
- Cut into 16 slices, and carefully place them, seam side down on the baking sheet, spaced evenly apart
- Brush with olive oil and sprinkle with remaining cheese
- Bake at 375 degrees for 20-25 minutes until dough is golden.
- Serve warm or at room temperature
Hawaiian Wontons are a version of BBQ Supper Eggrolls,
made with pork, pineapple and coleslaw mix
instead of the corn and kale salad
You can find the recipe for the Famous Bread Bowl Dip here
The Mango Chutney Cheese Dip is one our all time favorites
perfect for any occasion, and always brings raves!
Mango Chutney Cheese Dip
Ingredients
- 4 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 5 Tbsp butter
- 1/4 cup Gorgonzola cheese
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups grated cheddar cheese {8 oz.}
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp dried parsley
- 1/2 tsp dried basil
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 1/2 cup mango chutney or orange marmalade
- 1 cup chopped green onions
Instructions
- Put crumbled bacon into a bowl
- Heat 1 Tablespoon butter in skillet over medium heat. Add walnuts and cook, stirring 4-5 minutes to toast, watching carefully so they don't burn. Pour walnuts and butter over bacon in the bowl and stir to combine. Set asides
- Mix remaining 4 Tablespoons of butter with the cheeses with the seasonings, and combine well
- Place mixture into a serving bowl or on a rimmed platter, smoothing it into an even thick rounded rectangle or circle. Spread chutney or maramalade evenly over the top, letting it run down the sides. Arrange bacon walnut topping over the chutney and sprinkle with green onions.
- Serve with sturdy chips, crackers, toast points or baguette slices and provide a spreader
Notes
Thank you for stopping by!
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Meal Plan Monday Love Your Creativity Over the Moon
Between Naps on the Porch, Celebrate Your Story,
All About Home/ Common Ground Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Tasty Tuesday Oh My Heartsie Girl Turn About Tuesday
Full Plate Thursday Centerpiece Wednesday Creative Crafts
Thursday Favorite Things Creatively Crafty Creative Cumpulsions
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You know how to bring sunshine and love to all those around you! I love the colorful joy – and the snacks look delicious!
Thanks Leslie Anne, we had so much fun!
LOL, I couldn’t love this any more! What a great take on DD’s former days of cooking! The and tiered trays were perfect and the foods all super. I bet she was cracking up! Happy Birthday, T!
She was, she loved it!! Thanks Rita 🙂
Y’all do go all out for birthdays and special football games. Happy Birthday to DD. This should be in Southern Living.
Sorry somebody losses the game. Hope that didn’t spoil her birthday.
Sorry to hear Nick Saban has Covid.
Have a good weekend.
Thank you Bonnie, we love any excuse for a party! We had a great time, no hard feelings. I heard Sabin tested negative today so maybe he’s on the mend!
Loving this party Jenna. Happy birthday to your son. What fun! Combine football with a birthday and well…there ya go! Nothing any better. The dishes look wonderful and easy peasy to make. My kind of style. Loving all the wonderful colors and enjoy seeing how you use your three tier tray. Hugs and blessing, Cindy
Thanks so much Cindy!
Everything sounds delicious…hope all went well, and you all stay healthy…loving the decor!
You do such creative and fun things, love it all!
Thanks so much Martha!
Jenna, your family knows how to party and have loads of fun! Happy birthday DD, I hope your day was wonderful. I adore this party and the food and decor are all amazing. I learned something new about DD, she was a cookbook author and a chef! The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree! Happy Thursday!
Thank you Pam, we do love occasions around here! Yes DD is actually a good cook, she just doesn’t have time anymore. She is cooking a lot more now in her beautiful new kitchen!
Adorable and “Delish” too Jenna! What a good and creative brother, love your tiered tray and festive celebration ♥
Ha, yes, he is always up to something funny, she LOVED it!
So much fun!! What a wonderful party. Love it!
Well, I’m late for the bday bash, again! You really know how to put the fun in FUN Jenna! So festive for your family party, great foods and special at that! Love all your serving ideas, the tiered stands are outstanding. I’m sure the birthday girl was smiling all evening, except the final score……Have a great week. 😘
Thanks Emily, we had so much fun, and she loved it…no problem with the score, I was proud of Ole Miss, they gave Bama quite a battle!
Sounds like lots of great fun! Thanks for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
We love a party 🙂
Congratulations, your awesome post is on the Top Ten at Full Plate Thursday,508 this week! Thanks so much for sharing with us and you have a great week!
Miz Helen