Invited to sister's surprise birthday - didn't grow up together, nervous what to make

M

music-city-missy

Well-known member
So I have two older sister (half by my father) that I knew about but didn't grow up around. I have been getting to know them through FB the last few years and have only bet them for dinner a couple of times. The younger of the 2 turns 60 Wednesday and they are throwing her a surprise party Saturday and invited me so it's kind of a big deal. I have briefly met most of my nieces and nephews but none of the great nephews or great niece. This is mostly a family event and they have welcomed me into their family so this is my first time to meet their brother and sister, their mother (dad's ex), etc.

I will be driving down to the Mississippi coast Friday (almost 8 hours) and my older sister has invited me to stay with her and go out Friday night to a concert at the casino. Then we will drive back up to Laurel (2 hours) on Saturday to where the party is. I need to make something that I can prep/make in advance, will travel pretty well in a cooler and have minimal effort and time to finish off on Saturday. There is a kitchen at the clubhouse with oven and such. I want something good, impressive but not too fancy - they are country folk. The only thing I know for sure anyone is making is pulled pork sliders and crawfish dip, oh and birthday cake and desserts.

I have anything you can imagine that I can take with me to cook with - Instant Pot, electric skillet, crockpot, rice steamer, sous-vide, portable cooktop, propane cooktop, torch, you name it and since it's just me going down, I have plenty of room for anything. Oh and I have chafers, etc.

I thought about making little frikadellen and then making a soft sweetish dough like you would for beirrocks or runza and making little buns for them. And I thought about making beirrocks or runza - small ones. I thought about making some sort of Nashville hot chicken but didn't want to be frying at someone else's house and there will be elderly and small kids so hot hot food probably not a great idea.

I am to the point of sort of freezing up not knowing what to make for this. I want something that is different and good but not so strange that it limits the people that will like it. Oh, it's all finger foods pretty much. Her kids are throwing it and everyone is trying to let them do it but they aren't planners - they didn't ask people to say what they are bringing until this weekend and they don't have a count - but Brother has said from what he can figure there are about 24 relatives - not sure if that is families or people because they have a HUGE family and every event I've seen them post had WAY more than 24 people!!!!

 
I’m concerned you’re overthinking this. I would bring something simple you don’t have to make...

You don’t have to make when you get there.

It doesn’t really sound like you’ve got a lot of time to make food once you get there. you’re going a lot of places and spending a lot of time in the car. I would just make some really good brownies or cookies or something like that you can just put in your car in some Tupperware and be done with it. Maybe you make some really nice chocolate chip cookies versus toll house ones. Cut out sugar cookies that say happy birthday on them. Brownies with salted caramel and sea salt. I would keep it simple. I doubt with you traveling all that way they’re even expecting you to bring something.

 
If you can predict you will have an oven for one hour, do a tenderloin. Serve it

with little rolls and condiments.
You can even do it early in the day and take it at room temp. Even though you might think this is too fancy, it is just roast meat and everyone will like it.
Pulled pork would be good also as sliders--of course!
I recently did a sous vide lamb roast and have done top round roasts that were drop dead gorgeous (medium rare from side to side) and would slice up nicely if you think the tenderloin "too too". Lamb might
be iffy but the top round roast sliced super thin would be great served with small rolls.
Chicken wings? Done Nashville style but baked?
Something on skewers?
Enjoy your found family. That's pretty neat.

 
Excited for you!

A very special gathering indeed.

Instead of making something (only because I think you'll be busy meeting people, etc.) - is there anything special from your neck of the woods (prepared) that you can bring? That says a little bit about where you are from?

 
Country Ham & Biscuits

If they are "country folks", nothing too fancy. But good country ham properly soaked and baked served on small, bite size, buttermilk biscuits are simple, elegant, and divine. Add a touch of good mustard.

 
Or, Homemade Pimento Cheese

Or, a homemade pimento cheese on a good, perhaps German dark bread served with little gherkins/cornichons.

 
Aha. I second the idea of chicken salad below. There are the ham rolls I posted

above in the ham slider thread

 
Remember that lots of people will be bringing stuff; don't panic about making enough for everyone.

I honestly didn't know some of the items you listed, but I've enjoyed your recipes for DECADES, so all I'm going to do is send my best wishes for a lovely weekend with current and new relatives.

And don't lose your money at the casino!

 
Hi Missy - congrats on estabishing contact with more of your family, That is a very neat thing

to have happen. smileys/smile.gif

I agree with the others who said don't overthink it or stress yourself out about this.

I am thinking they wouldn't expect you to go too overboard with bringing something because of the logistics and distance you are traveling. The idea to bring something local to you that needs little to no prep is the way I would go.

If it were me, I would go with cookies.

 
I wouldn't do this one because of the pickle and juice. With mayo it might get watery holding

I know that when I put either pickle or green olive with mayo it "breaks" it and gets watery. I don't think the chicken salad would hold well for a long time.

Of the ideas listed, the one that looks the most feasible to me is Karen's Texas Party Spaghetti. Here is another idea- it is something I made up years ago and still make on occasion. Marie's Creamy Italian Garlic Dressing is a refrigerated item and really good but of course you could substitute and you could get everything ready but toss with the dressing when you get there or prepare ahead and it will hold nicely in your cooler. Just make sure you squeeze the seeds out of the tomatoes. You could add cubed "real" ham to it too:

CATHY'S CREAMY PASTA SALAD

8 oz dry pasta (bows, twists, shells, or tri-color)
1 15-1/2-oz can garbanzo beans, drained
6 oz sliced, drained black olives
1-1/2cup chopped onion
1 cup shredded carrots
1 cup shredded or sliced green peppers
2 cups chopped tomatoes
1 cup sliced radishes
1 16-oz jar Marie's Creamy Italian Salad Dressing
1 T basil
1 T oregano
1 T garlic powder
2 T dry parsley (or fresh, chopped)
1/2 tsp chili peppers, dried
1/3 cup parmesan cheese

Cook and drain pasta, and cool it under cold water. Mix with the rest of the ingredients.

 
Fruit ?

Why don't you make a huge fruit bowl? Fresh fruit arranged in a bowl or basket or a fruit salad. I really like bringing something healthy but delicious to fx affairs because everyone likes fruit, there is always someone dieting, and kids love fruit. Not too much work for you and easy to assemble.

 
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