This isn't until January, but I am chair of the Spelling Bee which will

dawn_mo

dawn_mo

Well-known member
be just about the same time, so I am trying to get my game plan down.

My grandaughter is having a dual birthday party with another girl. They are going to invite 96 people. I am hoping that they all will not show, but I told here I would do the food. They have a full kitchen available to me. This is beyond anything I have ever done. I am also doing the Spelling Bee at my son's school, which I have never done. I just see this major stress situation coming my way. So, I am trying to get a jump on the birthday party. Any ideas, menus, any help at all, will be most appreciated.

So far I am going to make pizzas on mini bagels. I have made them before for OAM cooking. it has to be teen ager friendly food, nothing to foo-foo. Thanks!

 
Most kids like lasagna, I think. It can be made ahead and frozen, and kept warm for a while

after baking. Any casserole that freezes would be a life-saver. You're quite a sport to take this on!

I have an Italian menu in the menu section that I've done for 70 on my own. It's lasagna with simple sides, mostly do-ahead.

If it's a younger crowd you could do mac 'n cheese the same way. Neener's recipe is on here somewhere and I've had kids fighting over it.

I would hesitate to do mini-pizzas for 90 unless you're sure you'll have lots of oven space.

 
And, there's always my mom's Chicken Dorito Casserole, a non-gourmet crowd pleaser:

CHICKEN DORITO CASSEROLE

10 chicken breast halves, with bones and skin
1 can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 can condensed cream of chicken soup
2 8-oz. cans tomato sauce
1 large can sliced mushrooms, juice and all
1 7-oz. can diced green chiles
1/3 cup white wine
1 bag tortilla chips (plain, salted)
1 1/2 lbs. jack cheese,sliced or grated

1. Poach the chicken gently in water or broth just until cooked through. Let it cool, then skin, bone and shred the meat.

2. For the sauce, combine the two soups, tomato sauce, mushrooms, chiles and wine. Heat together until blended.

3. Make 2 or 3 layers in a casserole in this order: Doritos, chicken, sauce, cheese. Top with remaining Doritos, propped up decoratively.

4. Bake uncovered at 350* F. for 45 minutes.

Recipe can be doubled, tripled, quadrupled etc. Unbaked casserole can be frozen.

 
my birthday's in Jan too. Can I come? I'll help.

I think a chocolate fountain would be fun for the teens. provide lots of dunking choices and it will feed many. someone's bound to have a fountain stashed away or use crockpots for choc fondue. maybe a nacho or taco station for make-your-own.

 
this reminds me a bit of the buffalo chicken dip. teens would love that too.

and it could be made ahead of time in foil pans. Serve with chips and celery sticks for the girls smileys/smile.gif

 
Dawn, are you going to make birthday cakes for both girls or do individual desserts or both?

 
I've been on a bit of a stuffed shell kick lately, but I love them for serving groups

because the portions are so easy to serve. A bit more labor involved with stuffing each shell, but this can be made ahead of time and frozen like lasagne. Just allow plenty of time for it to thaw or add more time for the baking when frozen.

 
are teens there into sushi at all? Maybe some trays of california rolls or something

else "tame" would be popular. Olga's sushi pizza over in T&T appetizers is fun, but may not be easy to make far enough ahead.

 
You could do "decorate your own cupcakes" and "make your own ice cream sundaes"

Just make the frosting and throw out all sorts of doo-dads for them to put on the frosting and ice cream.

 
How about a taco bar? Or a chili bar?

You could precook the ground beef or turkey and then add taco seasoning or cook large batches preseasoned and freeze. Just defrost, keep warm in a crockpot, and put out fixings.

Chili freezes well, too.

 
Thanks everyone.

I am in MN right now on my niece's laptop. I haven't had a chance to look at these suggestions thoroughly, but I will when I get back. I am not doing desserts, thank goodness.
Trader Joe's and Penzey's tomorrow...yay!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top