Recipe(tried): 1st B-day ideas - Caraway Dip, Curry Dip for Vegetables, Pepperoni Pizza Dip, Pizza Sticks, Oriental Salad, Overnight Salad, Quick Taco Salad

Jennifer,
Good Luck...It sounds like you will have your hands full!! One suggestion would be to hire 1 or 2 teenagers to help wrangle the kids. I would do this for our Halloween parties. There's no way you can enjoy this special event, if you're doing it all. I had pulled different games off the internet & put the game rules & parts of the game in giant ziplock bags (2 gallon size). Then I put them in a tub & the teens can pull out each game & not have to ask how it's played or where the pieces are. The tub held extras like timers or items too big to put in the bag.

As far as food, anything you can make ahead, do! Usually a few people will as if they could bring something, have them bring sides or desserts. Or, extra chairs, a small pool, etc. Make sure that you tell them that you're putting them down on the list & thank them.

Here's some party recipes I make. Most of these came from other parties:

Caraway Dip

8 oz cream cheese
1/2 stick of butter
1 or 2 tsp. paprika
salt to taste
1 or 2 pinches caraway seed
Finely chopped onion (to taste)
1 or 2 tsp. sour cream if too heavy

Mix well & refrigerate for 1 hour for seasonings to blend. Serve these with regular or crispy Ritz crackers.

Curry Dip for Vegetables
1 cup mayonnaise
1 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. wine vinegar
1 tsp. dry mustard (scant)
1 tsp. prepared mustard (scant)
1 tsp. horseradish
1 tsp. grated onion
1 tsp. garlic salt

Blend together & chill for 1 hour for seasonings to blend. Definitely serve sweet pea pods with other veggies.

Pepperoni Pizza Dip
Beat together:
1 (8oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
1 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
Spread evenly in a quiche or pie plate

Spread over top:
1/2 cup pizza sauce

Sprinkle with:
1/2 cup chopped pepperoni
1/4 cup sliced green onion (I left out)
1/4 cup chopped green pepper (I left out)
Bake in 350 degree oven for 10 minutes

Top with:
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Bake 5 minutes longer, or until heated through and cheese is melted.

Serve with Ritz crackers, sweet pepper strips, broccoli flowerets.

Pizza Sticks
1 tube of pizza crust dough (in the refrigerated section with the rolls & cookie dough)
Italian cheeses (I like Asiago, Mozzarella, Romano)
Garlic powder
Jar of pizza sauce

Spread of the pizza crust on a greased pan. Using your hands, spread the dough out as thin & even as possible.

Butter the pizza crust (You can leave this part out, but it does make it more moist). Put a thin layer of cheeses on top of the dough.

Sprinkle garlic powder over the top. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

Cut into sticks. Serve with pizza sauce (at room temperature). I use a chip & dip server. Be prepared to make 2 or 3 batches, especially if you have any boys over.

Oriental Salad

1 pkg. cole slaw or broccoli slaw mix
2 small pkg. sunflower seeds
2 small pkg. sliced almonds
2 packs ramen noodles (uncooked)
1/2 cup green onions chopped
Dressing
3/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2 packets oriental seasoning from noodles
(Add cooked chicken to make it a meal)

Mix all ingredients together except dressing. Mix dressing ingredients and pour on salad just before serving. Mix well.

Overnight Salad

1 med head lettuce
1/2 cup onion chopped
1/2 cup celery chopped
cauliflower chopped
2 cups frozen peas, thawed
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
green olives chopped
2 cups mayonnaise
5 hard boiled eggs
1 cup shredded cheddar
1 lb bacon cooked and crumbled

Layer ingredients in a big bowl except mayo., bacon, eggs and cheese. Cover with mayo to sides with spatula to seal. Sprinkle with eggs cheese and bacon. Cover and refrigerate overnight or 12 hours. Can be tossed before serving or left in layers.

Quick Taco Salad
This is a throw together as much or as little as you want.

Mix: Shredded lettuce
Chopped tomatoes
Chopped green onions
A can or two of drained kidney beans
Shredded longhorn cheese
Optional: May add taco meat, if desired

When ready to eat, add crushed Doritos & Italian dressing. (This will not keep after you add the dressing & Doritos.)

Hopefully this will get you started. Good luck & accept help!
Kathy, OH