What to cook for a birthday dinner party ... any ideas?

Question

I'm 49 tomorrow and having friends over. I'm leaning towards, Greek-style Lamb Shanks, Mashed Potato, Steamed baby Bok Choy with slices red and yellow capcisum. It is winter here in NZ so i'd rather not serve salads. Lemon Syrup cake with unsweeted cream for dessert

Sorry, forgot to mention one guest is diabetic - so sugars. She does a BYO dessert to dinner parties.

Answer 1

Apple Butter Pork Loin

INGREDIENTS

2 (1 1/2 pound) pork tenderloins
seasoning salt to taste
2 cups apple juice
1/2 cup apple butter
1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

DIRECTIONS

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

Season the pork tenderloins with seasoning salt, and place them in a 9x13 inch baking dish or small roasting pan. Pour apple juice over the pork, and cover the dish with a lid or aluminum foil.

Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. While the pork is roasting, mix together the apple butter, brown sugar, water, cinnamon and cloves. After the hour, remove pork loins from the oven, and spread the apple butter mixture over them.

Cover, and return to the oven for 2 hours, or until fork tender.

side dishes

Screaming Potatoes

INGREDIENTS

3 pounds clean, scrubbed new red potatoes
1 tablespoon and 1-1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons water

DIRECTIONS

Place the potatoes in the bottom of a large cast iron skillet. Place about 2 tablespoons of water in the bottom of the pot and sprinkle with the salt. Cover tightly and place over low heat. Cook for 40-50 minutes. Do not lift the lid during this time. Occasionally give the pan a shake.

Cajun Wild Rice

INGREDIENTS

1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 (14 ounce) can chicken broth
1/4 cup water
1/2 pound andouille sausage, diced
1/2 cup diced sweet onion
1 cup chopped fresh mushrooms
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of mushroom soup

DIRECTIONS

In a saucepan, combine the wild rice, chicken broth, water, sausage, onion, mushrooms and garlic. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes, or until rice is tender. Remove from the heat, and stir in the cream of mushroom soup. It's that easy!


dessert

Easy Strawberry Pudding Parfaits

INGREDIENTS
1 pkg. (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups fresh strawberries, quartered
2 tablespoons strawberry jam
2 tablespoons sugar

DIRECTIONS

Prepare vanilla pudding according to package directions, except do not chill.
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, stir together strawberries, jam, and sugar until jam is melted and the mixture is heated through, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat.
In each of 4 parfait glasses, layer 1/8 of the pudding and 1/8 of the strawberry sauce. Repeat layers. Chill 45 minutes, or until set, before serving.

Answer 2

The lamb and mashed potato sounds great.....make sure the potato is quite roughly mashed, use lots of double cream & butter & I would be tempted to add a little fresh mint too.
How about roasting your vegetables....you could use the red/yellow peppers and then also roast alongside them red onion, parsnip, carrot, sweet potato or just about any vegetable!
For dessert, Eton Mess is one of my favorites.....crushed meringue, fresh raspberries and whipped cream all served in nice tall frosted glasses. So easy and very light after a heavy main course.
Happy Birthday for tomorrow.....hope it goes well.

Answer 3

pork chop lamb leg rice lemon cake

Answer 4

im not familiar with that type of cooking...all i know is that when people come over, we always cook a pasta dish with a side of a veg. and meat...and a sponge cake with custard.

Answer 5

mashed potatoes and STEAK!