Recipe(tried): Some Birthday Buffet Ideas Paula....

Hi Paula, Here are some ideas for your Buffet Table outside by the pool:

Get a pitcher or two and fill them with lots of red zinnias and red/orange flowers and greenery. If you have some wicker baskets to layer a napkin in, take those and use them to serve bread in. The dollar stores that are all over are a great place to get stuff, the kitchen towels they sell can be used to line the basket.

Serve the appetizers indoors, perhaps around the kitchen island or close by...

A quilt laid on the buffet table is nice, if not, see if you can scout around for a table cloth that has red in it. Lay it on the diagonal.

Think wicker, Fall colors...hearty food that can be made and be put out quick. Float some of those cool candles in the pool and don't forget the citronella ones for around the pool. Set up a bar in a corner with assorted beverages and ice.

Here's a sample Fall Man-Type Birthday menu idea:
I have made all of these recipes and they are delicious and people love them.

Assorted Cheese and Grape Arrangement
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Pineapple Cheese Ball with Crackers
Tuscan Cheese Spread

Spinach Dip in Hawaiian Round
The Ultimate Lasagna
Baked Ziti
Mixed Greens Salad for a Crowd
Grilled Garlic Bread
Birthday Cake (I gave you some choices)
Assorted BeveragesCheese & Fruit Stand

On a pretty glass cake stand arrange the following:

Green Grape Cluster
Red Grape Cluster
Slices of Cantalope
Sliced strawberries
Kiwi Slices
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Swiss Cheese
Brie with Wheat Thin Crackers

(The Brie can be served on a platter by itself surrounded with lavosh crackers and Wheat Thins... heat it in the oven with red raspberry preserves and crushed walnuts pieces over it til soft, transfer to a pretty glass dish and surround with the crackers. This is a winner!!!!

DATES WRAPPED IN BACON

Arrange these quick disappearing gems on a pretty glass plate with a paper doily. Yummmmmm.....

2 boxes of pitted dates
2 packages of bacon

Cut bacon package in half, wrap a date in a bacon half and arrange on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes, halfway thru baking turn them around so they bake completely. Drain, let them cool and arrange on a pretty dish with toothpicks.

PINEAPPLE CHEESE SPREAD
This makes 5 cups

Cool and refreshing appetizer...

2 8 oz. cream cheese
1 8 1/2 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1 c. chopped pecans
1/2 c. chopped green bell pepper
2 T. chopped green onion
1 t. Lawrey's Seasoned Salt

Soften cream cheese and mix with pineapple, nuts, green pepper and onions. Blend in salt and mix well. Pack into a crock and refrigerate to set or roll into a ball covered with crushed pecans. Serve with crackers.

SPINACH DIP IN HAWAIIAN ROUND BREAD
Makes 4 cups

This is the one dip everyone asks for the recipe...

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
1 container (16 oz.) sour cream
1 cup mayo
1 phg. KNORR Vegetable Soup and Recipe Mix
1 can (8 oz.) chestnuts, drained and chopped
3 scallions, chopped
1 Hawaiian Bread Round, scoop out middle to make a bowl and reserve

In a med. bowl, stir the spinach, sour cream, mayo, soup mix, water chestnuts and green onions until well mixed. Cover and chill 2 hours to blend flavors.

Stir before serving. Pour into a prepared round of Hawaiian Bread, serve with crackers and the scooped out bread pieces.

MARIA BERLIN'S ULTIMATE LASAGNA
Makes 9 servings

This particular lasagna is GREAT for Buffets simply because it cuts so well, perfect squares. Make two if you have to, it is super!!!!

FOR THE SAUCE:
1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 (28 oz.) can tomatoes, cut up
1 (12 oz.) can tomato paste
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dried basil
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
FOR THE LASAGNA:
1 lb. cooked lasagna noodles
4 cups ricotta cheese
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
3 eggs, beaten
2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 lb. mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Brown beef; drain. Add onions and garlic. Add tomatoes and tomato paste, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, basil, oregano and pepper. Simmer 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Trim noodles to fit pan.

Combine ricotta, parmesan, eggs, parsley and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Layer noodles with ricotta, sauce and mozzarella. Repeat layers.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting into 3-inch squares.

BAKED ZITI
serves 8

3 cups uncooked ziti
1 lb. ground beef
1 (28 oz.) jar of your favorite Italian sauce
1 (16 oz.) carton ricotta
2 cups shredded mozzarella (divided)
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1 medium onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 (10 oz.) pkg. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
4 Tbsp. olive oil
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper

Preheat oven to 350.

Cook pasta according to pkg. directions. Drain and set aside while you prepare sauce.

In a large skillet, brown the beef well, drain. Mix with the sauce in a large bowl. Set aside.

In a skillet, saute onions til limp and they begin to golden, add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the spinach and blend well. Add to sauce and stir well. In another bowl, blend together the ricotta, 1 cup of the mozzarella and seasonings. Toss the pasta with the sauce. Spoon half of the pasta into a 13x9x2-inch baking dish, spread cheese mixture over, pour the rest of the pasta over and spread evenly. Top with the remaining cup of mozzarella and sprinkle some Parmesan cheese over. Cover loosely with foil and bake for about 25 minutes. Remove foil and cook for another 5 minutes.

MIXED GREENS SALAD FOR A CROWD

2 bags of pre-washed mixed greens
3 tomatoes, chopped
2 cucumbers, chopped
1 package crumbled feta
1/2 c. dried cranberries
3 small yellow crookneck squashes, sliced
Paul Newman's Olive Oil Vinaigrette

Mix all the vegetable in a large glass bowl, drizzle on the dressing and top with the feta and cranberries.

GARLIC BREAD WITH FETA

1 loaf Italian bread, split open
1 stick of butter, softened
3 garlic cloves, crushed
4 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
1 t. oregano
1 t. basil

Mix the butter with the garlic and blend well. Blend in feta and seasonings and spread on bread. Bake in oven at 350 for about 15 minutes till bubbly. Cut into slices and serve in wicker baskets lined with a napkin.

And for desserts, I will share some that are perfect for large crowds.

This is my husband's birthday cake:

HUSBAND'S WHITE CHOCOLATE CAKE BIRTHDAY CAKE
serves 16

1 c. butter, softened
2 c. sugar
1 t. vanilla extract
4 eggs, separated
1/2 lb. white chocolate, melted
2 1/2 c. cake flour
1/4 t. salt
1 t. baking powder
1 c. buttermilk
1 c. pecans, finely chopped
1 c. golden raisins

Cream butter and sugar, beat in yolks, vanilla and chocolate. Add buttermilk alternately with flour, salt, and baking powder. Beat egg whites stiff, fold in, stir in nuts. Pour into greased 9x13 or bundt pan and bake at 350 50-60 mts. Cool 5 mts. invert on wire rack and cook completely before icing.

Icing:
1 stick butter, softened
1 8 oz. cream cheese, room temp.
1 c. pecans, finely chopped
1 lb. box powdered sugar

Blend all ingredients together except nuts til nice and smooth. Fold in nuts and ice cake.or if he likes dark chocolate:

FABULOUS CHOCOLATE CAKE
From: Kelly,WA

This may take a little more time, but the results are sure worth it!

Ingredients:
2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter
1 cup buttermilk
2 eggs
1/2 cup butter-flavored Crisco shortening (solid)
4 heaping Tablespoons cocoa
1 cup water
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla

Frosting:
1 stick butter
4 heaping Tablespoons cocoa
6 to 8 Tablespoons milk
3/4 box powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Ingredients must be mixed in proper order for best results.

Cake: Sift flour, sugar, and salt together. Set aside. In a saucepan, mix butter, Crisco, water, and cocoa. Heat until it almost boils. Pour over dry ingredients. Beat well by hand. Add soda and buttermilk and beat gently only to mix. Add eggs and vanilla last. Mix gently. Pour into 9 x 13 inch greased and floured pan. Bake for 20 minutes only. 10 minutes into baking time, start to make frosting.

Frosting:
Mix ingredients together in microwavable bowl. Heat in microwave until warm only. Pour over cake immediately after removing cake from oven. or if he likes fruit:

RENEE MANCINO'S CARROT TOP CAKE
serves 8-10
The New York Cookbook by Molly O'Neill

1 c. veg. oil
2 c. sugar
3 c. freshly grated carrots (about 7)
1 c. walnuts, coarsely chopped
2 c. flour
1 T. baking powder
1 t. ground cinnamon
1 t. freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 t. salt
4 large eggs

Frosting:
1/2 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/4 c. solid vegetable shortening
1 1/2 large packages cream cheese, softened
2 T. milk
1 T. vanilla extract
1 1/2 c. confectioner's sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Oil an 11x9-inch sheet cake pan. In a large bowl, combine the oil, sugar, carrots, nuts, flour, baking powder, spices and salt. Stir to combine. Add the eggs and blend well. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 45 min. Cool in the pan on wire rack.

Make the Frosting:
Cream together the butter, cream cheese, shortening with a wooden spoon or hand mixer in a medium bowl. Add the milk and vanila, add the sugar and stir til smooth. When the cake is cool, frost.

or you can get a cake of your choice from the bakery. Hope these ideas help you. You can always have a BBQ, but someone is going to be grilling and working....this particular buffet, everything is done and you can float among your guests enjoying the time.

Oh, one more thing, make sure you get sturdy paper plates such as Chinette, they are a bit more costly, but you know what? They are worth every penny. Have disposable sliverware also, it makes clean-up easier.

Best Of Luck and Happy Birthday to your DH!!