Niece Jordan's Birthday Party

 

It might seem a little odd that most of the family parties are at my house but I think it's about me being the oldest of our five kids and our mom having passed away 20 years ago. I've become the matriarch of my little family, sort of Grandma by Proxy.  So for many years, the niece and nephews have all expected to have their birthday parties at "Aunt Gonnie's". 

Since I make the cakes and do most of the cooking, it's very convenient for me.  I've always felt a little guilty that I'm the one who learned to cook but, being the oldest, I was the sergeant-at-arms in my mother's kitchen for as long as I can remember, and my little sister, Jordan's mom, being six years younger was mostly kicked out to go play.  Lucky her in ways!  Not that she's a bad cook, she just didn't get the same experience I did in the large family/trial by fire way I did.

  

Jordan requested her menu, which is our tradition, Ziti "with pepperoni" and "strawberry cake with strawberry buttercream and blue roses".  I can dig it.  Ever since Jordan was a toddler her favorite meal has been spaghetti but as she's gotten older she's added the spicy pungency of pepperoni to her favorites and strawberry cake has won her heart since she was a baby.  That I bought strawberry cheesecake ice cream to go with it was like a strawberry sugar nirvana shared by all.

The menu board to the left is a little freebie bank whiteboard give-away we got years ago that's always been my little party cheat sheet. It's on the fridge so that I, and anyone in the kitchen helping me, can consult to avoid the common after dinner "Oh crap! We forgot the ___" moment.

 

I'll give the recipe below. We found the Ziti with Pepperoni to be an excellent choice for a crowd, easy to prepare in advance and a hit with everyone. 

It is also my entry in this week's Presto Pasta Nights, created by wonderful Ruth at Once Upon a Feastand hosted this week by Sara of I'm a Food Blog .  On Friday of this coming week, be sure to stop by to see all the pasta doings going on.

Additionally on the menu:

 

Basic spring salad of leaf lettuces, chunked zucchini, celery, spring onions, tomatoes, shredded carrots, and edible flowers from the garden:  Sweet William and Purslane.

Accompanying the salad was a host of bottled dressings for the timid and a home-made lemon vinaigrette for Auntie Miranda and I, made from lemon balm and parsley fresh from the garden.  The recipe for this also, is below.

Later this week a post a few pics of the "garden", not traditional rows or square foot, my garden is a fairly ambitious collection of pots on the back porch...I'll also write a separate post on the cake with more behind the scenes pics of making the gumpaste flowers.

Happy Birthday to my wonderful, vivacious, growing-up-way-too-fast, fabulous niece, Jordan!

Ziti with Pepperoni

Recipe by Glenna Anderson Muse

(Great for a crowd--easily serves a dozen adults and a half dozen small children)

I batch Glenna's All Day Spaghetti Sauce (I made this ahead and froze it, thawing it out the night before the party which worked beautifully)

8 oz pepperoni, slices separated

1 1/2 lbs. penne noodles, cooked al dente

1 jar of Five Brothers Alfredo Sauce (or your favorite recipe)

4 oz. Parmesan cheese, shredded

Fresh Parsley and Basil, minced (garnish)

(This is a great recipe to fix ahead, place in casserole pans, and bake when needed.)

 Cook pasta and rinse in cold water to cool if making ahead.

 Mix rest of ingredients together in large mixing bowl.  Divide into two 9"x13" casserole pans. Divide cheese and sprinkle half over each pan.  Refrigerate if not baking immediately. 

To bake, pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Bake, covered,  for 40 minutes or until pasta is hot and bubbly. Remove cover and bake for additional five minutes or until cheese is browned.  Garnish with minced or ribboned basil and parsley.

Makes about 20 cups of Ziti.

Lemon Balm Vinaigrette

Recipe by Glenna Anderson Muse

Juice and zest of one lemon

Juice and zest of one lime

6 fresh lemon balm leaves, minced

1 tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley, minced (curly if flat leaf is not available)

1/4 cup apple cider vinegar, unpasteurized & unfiltered (great for the tummy)

2 tsp honey

1 tsp coarse brown mustard

1/4 cup good olive oil

Mix all ingredients together in cruet.

Makes a little over a 1/2 cup dressing.

Comments

[MyKitchenInHalfCups]

Your parties seem always to be great fun for all. Beautiful cake. The salad is a gorgeous show stopper!

[lesley]

Hi Glenna
Just dropped in to see what's cooking...
haven't heard from you lately, hope you're well.
I too am the oldest, in a family of 4 girls..it's only now the funny stories of our younger years have started coming out...if I didn't love them I'm sure I would kill them!! lol
Happy birthday to Jordan!

[Melly]

OH my..what a beautiful spread. It all looks fabulous. I am so hungry...maybe I'll whip up some penne with red sauce. Nice salad too!

[Albany Jane]

This cake looks beautiful! As do all of your cakes, though!

[Glenna]

Tanna--Thanks!

Lesley--I hear you about the stories--we have a few of those too!

Melly--Thank you!

Jane--Ahhh, thanks!

[Ruth]

Happy birthday, Jordan...wishing you a great day.

And Aunit Gonnie - I want to be adopted for a cake like that too!

The ziti looks fantastic. Thanks for sharing with Presto Pasta Night.

[The Food Hunter]

The meal looks perfect. Happy Birthday to your niece.

[tigerfish]

I love those meat sauce trapped inside the penne :)

[Jessica]

Happy Birthday, Jordan..Nice cake. When I saw your birthday party pictures, I remembered my Birthday.I celebrated my birthday with Kool Bounce Party http://www.koolbounceparty.com/. They helped me to decide which party is best for me.