Dad’s 83 Birthday

Today is my Dad’s birthday! Over Labor Day weekend, we gathered at my parents’ lake house to celebrate with good food, family, and lots of birthday cheer. Mom, Dad, Andy, Kerry, and I enjoyed a wonderful weekend together celebrating Dad and, of course, enjoying some delicious homemade food.

4 Cheese Ravioli: Pasta dough (see recipe below as my favorite is no longer online), filling – Ricotta, Asiago, Parmesan, Mozzarella, salt and pepper. I made the ravioli at home and brought the frozen ravioli with me. We split the ravioli and served with 2 sauces; Mom’s tomato sauce, and Melted Butter with fresh Sage.

Grilled Zucchini – Dad grilled these brushed with Italian dressing and additional various seasonings

Peach Cream Pie – See recipe below.

Kathy’s Pasta Dough

2 cups flour, 2 tsp olive oil, 1/2 cup water (adjust as necessary), 2 pinches salt

In a large bowl mix flour and salt. Add olive oil and water and mix by fork or hand. Add water as necessary to form a kneaded ball.

Split into 4 pieces. Roll each piece into a thin sheet. Cut and fill as desired.

Peach Pie

Single crust butter pastry dough

1/2 cup sugar, 3 tbsp flour, peaches peeled and halved, 3/4 cup heavy cream, 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Heat oven to 450. Prepare pastry.

Mix sugar and flour. Spread half on crust. Top with halved peaches then rest of sugar mix.

Pour on cream. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake 10 minutes at 450.

Bake at 350 for 35 minutes or until set.

Playing Card Suit Peanut Noodles

Another simple but delicious entry in my peanut noodle collection. To make it extra playful, the cucumber is decorated in classic playing-card suits—hearts, diamonds, clubs, and spades. It’s an easy, delicious meal with a little bit of fun in every bite!

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Suit – Cucumber cut with a cookie cutter, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: Pistachio nuts

Bottom Right: Cherries

Appetizer and Dessert Birthday Dinner

Although it wasn’t a milestone birthday, I decided to make this year’s celebration a little extra special. An appetizer and dessert party with the people closest to me (Mom, Dad, Renae, Jeff, and Tammy) felt like the perfect way to celebrate. I chose recipes that could mostly be made ahead or were simple to prepare, which meant I could have everything ready before my guests arrived.

It turned out to be the perfect way to celebrate—good food, sweet treats, and, most importantly, time spent with people I love. Taking the stress out of the cooking meant I could relax and enjoy every moment with my guests. It was a simple celebration, but one filled with plenty of delicious memories that I’ll cherish.

Decorations:

  • Blue Balloons

Table:

  • Tablecloth – Blue tablecloth
  • Napkins – White cloth
  • Flowers – Blue Hydrangea
  • Plates – Blue floral
  • Place Cards – Lenox dry erase place cards
  • Homemade Menu Cards

Appetizers

  • Lemon Water / Sparking Water / Coffee / Tea
  • Caprese Skewers
  • Zucchini cups with Tomato Garlic Lentils
  • Italian Cheese Board – Fontina, Fresh Mozzarella, Rosemary Olive Oil Asiago, Crunchy Italian Breadsticks
  • Irish Cheese Board – Red Irish Cheddar with Chili Peppers, Irish Cheddar with Whiskey, Blarney Gouda, Oat Cakes

Desserts

  • Watermelon with Lime Juice and Zest
  • Greek Yogurt No-Bake Cheesecake served in Lemons with Blueberry Mint Garnish

My critique of the meal: 

I wouldn’t make the same focaccia rolls and spinach pinwheels again since other recipes are better. As always, Dad’s Onion Rings are a hit. The Chilled Beet Cherry soup was delicious. I bought a Cherry Pitter to make prep easier. I was pleased with my idea of a heritage cheese board. It was fun to select cheese from Italy and Ireland. All of the desserts were easy to make, delicious, and beautiful.

Pyramids Peanut Noodles

Another delicious entry in my peanut noodle collection—this time with a fun pyramid-inspired twist!

Container: EasyLunchBoxes

Left Side: Pyramid – Orange bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, Peanut Noodles

Top Right: BIENA crispy roasted edamame with Himalayan pink salt

Bottom Right: Camel – Orange bell pepper cut with a cookie cutter, food coloring marker eye, blueberries