Recipes for a Birthday

brij2006 · February 2014

H's birthday is on Saturday, and we're having friends over for dinner. He wants something fancy. Which means pulling out my culinary skills. I've found a few ideas, but they are similar to things I would normally make.

What's your go-to recipes for something special or when you have time to spend cooking?

Or do you have any ideas (aka, something you've pinned that looks fancy-ish)? Chicken, pork, or beef are definitely safe ones for this group of 6. My associates degree is in culinary arts, so complex recipes aren't usually an issue. I'm just needing some new ideas.

islandmonkey8 · February 2014

My go to's for fancy are beef tenderloin, duck, and lamb. Always a hit.

Now I want duck.

Sewilson33 · February 2014

I like doing a filet mignon when I wanna go fancy or lasagna.

mrshall1027 · February 2014

I love making a nice pork tenderloin with a spice rub. It looks super pretty when sliced up and you can serve it with some warm preserves and it's super yummy!

The latest one I made was with herb de provence and it was delicious! Just rubbed in some herb de provence, salt and pepper, seared it on the stove and then transferred it to the oven for about 30 minutes or so. I mixed up some peach preserve with a little vinegar and water in a small pan and then poured a little on top of the sliced up tenderloin. Soooo good!!

R.Wilsonny · February 2014

Some things I enjoy making that are usually a hit for dinner gatherings:

Basil Pistachio Crusted Salmon - you salt and pepper the salmon (4 fillets), then bake the salmon @ 375 skin side down in a pan with half inch water for 10 minutes. for the crust, melt butter in a small pot then add panko bread crumbs (1 cup), zest of one lemon, chopped fresh basil (1-2 tablespoons), and shelled chopped pistachios (1 cup)....mix everything together, then coat the salmon with this and put back into the oven for an additional 5 minutes. I've made this in big batches for Christmas dinner so I sometimes double or triple the recipe depending on how many people I have to cook for.

Another one that I like, but it's more of a hearty 'comfort' style dish - Carbonade Flammande (Belgian Beef Stew) I don't remember the exact recipe off the top of my head, but you can look it up and you'll find it easily....it's a very common Belgian dish using beef cubes, DARK belgian beer (has to be belgian beer like Grimbergen Brune or Leffe Brune), onions carmelized in butter and sugar, and prunes. It gets cooked low and slow.....and you serve it with mashed potatoes....mmmmmm

brij2006 · February 2014

@islandmonkey8 Hick town = no duck or lamb for 50 miles. :-( Well, unless a hunter shot it, but that crap has some funky flavors.

@ystaalenburg What do you serve along with that? A tenderloin is a great idea, and I didn't even think about that as an option.

R.Wilsonny · February 2014

It's too bad that fresh figs really aren't in season right now because I have an amazing appetizer involving figs, but you need fresh ones

One thing you could make though - Roasted Pear and Brie Quesadillas. Easy to make and great appetizer for parties

brij2006 · February 2014

R.Wilsonny said:
Another one that I like, but it's more of a hearty 'comfort' style dish - Carbonade Flammande (Belgian Beef Stew) I don't remember the exact recipe off the top of my head, but you can look it up and you'll find it easily....it's a very common Belgian dish using beef cubes, DARK belgian beer (has to be belgian beer like Grimbergen Brune or Leffe Brune), onions carmelized in butter and sugar, and prunes. It gets cooked low and slow.....and you serve it with mashed potatoes....mmmmmm

That sounds flippin delicious! Maybe I'll look that up and make it another time. It's definitely something we would love.

Also, I have a proscuitto wrapped fig recipe that is yummy, but it's much better with fresh figs. So I'm nixing the idea.

islandmonkey8 · February 2014

Boo no duck or lamb!

I'm thinking of other ideas. I have too many! I love entertaining!

islandmonkey8 · February 2014

These are all "skinnytaste" recipes, but you can do as you wish with them. They are obviously all delicious as is.

SaladBerries and greenshttp://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/04/mixed-baby-greens-with-strawberries-25.html

Main Course

stuffed pork loin like this:

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/12/spinach-prosciutto-and-mozzarella.html

Veggie

Broccolini

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/12/easy-garlic-broccolini.html

and/or

Green bean bundles

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/03/bacon-wrapped-green-bean-bundles.html

Side

Mashed goodness

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2012/10/potato-parsnip-mash.html

and/or

Broccoli and orzo

http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/03/broccoli-and-orzo.html

mrshall1027 · February 2014

brij2006 said:

@islandmonkey8 Hick town = no duck or lamb for 50 miles. :-( Well, unless a hunter shot it, but that crap has some funky flavors.
@ystaalenburg What do you serve along with that? A tenderloin is a great idea, and I didn't even think about that as an option.

I think we ate it with either steamed or grilled veggies. Maybe you can do a veggie and some sort of stuffing. Corn bread stuffing comes to mind.

ecinereb · February 2014

My go to is stuffed chicken breasts. You use proscuitto, cherry tomatoes and a mix of cream cheese and herbs inside and roll them up. So yummy.

mseale · February 2014

tenderloin with twice baked potatoes and a salad as the side. My mouth is watering!

R.Wilsonny · February 2014

brij2006 said:

R.Wilsonny said:
Another one that I like, but it's more of a hearty 'comfort' style dish - Carbonade Flammande (Belgian Beef Stew) I don't remember the exact recipe off the top of my head, but you can look it up and you'll find it easily....it's a very common Belgian dish using beef cubes, DARK belgian beer (has to be belgian beer like Grimbergen Brune or Leffe Brune), onions carmelized in butter and sugar, and prunes. It gets cooked low and slow.....and you serve it with mashed potatoes....mmmmmm

That sounds flippin delicious! Maybe I'll look that up and make it another time. It's definitely something we would love.

Also, I have a proscuitto wrapped fig recipe that is yummy, but it's much better with fresh figs. So I'm nixing the idea.

Oh, I don't even eat meat anymore but I will admit I would break the no meat diet for this dish....it's amazing.

For the fig appetizer I do, you cut the figs in half lengthwise, then put goat cheese on each half, sprinkle with balsamic vinegar, and bake in the oven for 6-7 minutes at 350. They melt in your mouth

A little variation would be to also top with a piece of walnut too and bake....

One last thing - I make this salad dressing that will convert any salad hater into a salad lover. I usually make this in a larger quantity too. You need:
Rice vinegar (you can use red or white wine vinegar too), canola oil (or any neutral oil except olive), Soy sauce, Sugar, basil (fresh/finely chopped - can use dried if you don't have fresh), hot/or siracha chili sauce, chopped peanuts (I sometimes use honey roasted), red pepper flakes
Whisk together the oil, vinegar, soy sauce, sugar to disolve, then add other ingredients whisking until thoroughly combined.

I didn't put measurements because it's all about how your tastes are. If you like it more spicy, add a few drops more hot sauce, if you don't want it too sweet, add less sugar, etc etc. I've made this dressing so many times, I just adjust taste as I go along.

brij2006 · February 2014

@islandmonkey8 All of those are wonderful! Now I can't decide.

@ecinereb That stuffed chicken is exactly what I usually make. It's so good.

I think it's been decided. We're doing the stuffed pork tenderloin @islandmonkey8 posted. Along with Tyler Florence's Mac n Cheese (H's favorite food), and arugula salad.

Dessert will be english toffee cheesecake in fondue form.

islandmonkey8 · February 2014

brij2006 said:

@islandmonkey8 All of those are wonderful! Now I can't decide.
@ecinereb That stuffed chicken is exactly what I usually make. It's so good.
I think it's been decided. We're doing the stuffed pork tenderloin @islandmonkey8 posted. Along with Tyler Florence's Mac n Cheese (H's favorite food), and arugula salad.
Dessert will be english toffee cheesecake in fondue form.

I will accept all leftovers in the mail the next day. Thanks!

Recipes for a Birthday

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