Birthday’s are a big deal in our house. We make a huge deal about the kiddos birthdays. With a big family the kids tend to be treated like a herd- so Birthday’s are a great opportunity to give everyone some extra special attention. I always ask the birthday boy or girl what they want for their special meal and I am always amazed at how specific they are. Three year olds have strong opinions about food and what they want to eat. Gogo loves french onion dip- nothing fancy here sour cream with onion soup mix and for the Birthday Cake I went with a very ornate cake from the Bakery at our local Supermarket.
French Onion Dip with Potato Chips
Birthday Punch
Party Mac and Cheese
Baked Beans with Duck Bacon
Hamburgers and Hotdogs
Rainbow Cake
Chocolate Fountain with Strawberries and Marshmallows
- 1 container pink lemonade I use Newman's own
- 1 container white grape juice
- 1 container white cranberry juice
- 1 container Orange Juice
- 1 orange sliced
- 1 lemon sliced
- Add all of the juices and fruit slices to Container, fill with ice stir and serve.
- 1 8 oz Monterey Jack shredded
- 12 oz chedder cheese shredded
- 6 slices american cheese
- 2 boxes ditalini I like a small pasta - you should use your shape of choice
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 stick unsalted butter
- 8 tablespoons flour
- 1 cup panko bread crumbs
- 4 tablespoons soft butter for topping
- Cook pasta according to package- make sure that it is just before al dente - I usually shave 2 mins the cooking time. The pasta will cook more in the sauce and you want to to keep some of it's integrity. Drain and rinse to stop the cooking. In the same pot add the butter and flour and cook over medium heat for 1 minute. Slowly add your milk and cook for about 5 mins or until it begins to thicken. Do not let the milk boil. Add the cheese, mustard & nutmeg. When the cheese is almost melted turn off the heat and add the cooked pasta. Mix well and pour into a baking dish. Spread Bread crumbs evenly over top and dollop with butter. Place under broiler until the top is golden brown about five mins.
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 1/4 cup dijon mustard
- 1/3 cup molasses
- 1/3 cup pomagranate molasses
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 cans beer I like an ale
- 1 bottle ginger beer
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 6 cans white beans I use northern since I prefer a smaller bean for this
- 2 large yellow onions diced
- 6 slices duck bacon diced
- 1 tspn kosher salt
- Place a large pot over medium heat. Chop duck bacon into bite size pieces and add to pot. Dice onions and to pot as well. Saute for about 10 mins until the onions have softened. Drain and rinse beans and add to the pot. Add all of the remaining ingredients and mix well. Turn heat up to medium high and when it just begins to boil turn down to medium low. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours uncovered on the back burner stirring occasionally.
