When throwing a birthday party, it is most important to remember the focus is on celebrating a loved one, not the host and their stress level in throwing the event. The best dinner parties are ones where the food is homey and delicious, not pretentious and haughty. Stick to the basics and add on from there. A menu of two appetizers, one salad, two entrees with two sides, and a dessert should be plenty for a small dinner party in your Jersey City condo.
Appetizers for your Jersey City Condo Birthday Party
Antipasto Platter
Antipasto platters are perfect for picking. You can pick a wide variety of ingredients to fit anyone’s taste. Fruit such as berries and grapes compliment the tanginess of the finer cheeses and the acidity of any olive varieties you may want to put out. Cracker assortments are recommended for this finger food platter. Hummus and vegetables are also a great alternative for any party in your Jersey City condo.
Pizza Pronto
This simple take on pizza uses pita breads instead of pizza dough and offer a blank canvas for which you can put any toppings you please. Brush the pitas with olive oil and season as you like. Place any ingredients you like on top. Cheeses such as mozzarella and fontina are a great addition to any pizza. Meats like sausage, pepperoni, soppressata, etc have a saltiness that adds flavor and substance. Vegetables add freshness, but any combination of toppings works! This recipe is easy and perfect for the kitchen of your Jersey City condo.
Your Foolproof Salad Recipe
Roquefort Pear Salad
This salad is simple yet delicious and sure to please almost any palate. Cut up leaf lettuce and add diced onion and avocado to the base. Crumble Roquefort cheese and chopped pears to the base. Season the salad with salt, pepper, and garlic. Dress with olive oil and vinegar and top with candied pecans if you so please!
Entrée Ideas
Halibut Foil Packets
Fish is always a crowd pleaser at dinner parties. It is light and easy to eat. Halibut is a white fish that pleases most palates and stays moist during the cooking process. Preheat your grill and lay out large sheets of foil. Add diced zucchini, cherry tomatoes, and kalamata olives to the foil and lay halibut filets on top. Season the packets with salt, pepper, garlic, and olive oil. Fold foil into packets and put on the grill for 10-12 minutes. Serve with couscous.
Lemon Chili Chicken
Marinate chicken in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, chili powder, mustard, salt and pepper. Grill chicken for 12-17 minutes, brushing the chicken with the marinade as it cooks. Serve with desired sides.
Mac and Cheese
Cook desired macaroni in a pot of boiling, salted water until al dente. Heat the milk in a saucepan while you melt butter in another saucepan. Add flour to the butter and cook for two minutes. Add milk to the butter and flour and stir until thickened. Take off heat and add your mix of cheeses and season with salt and pepper. Add macaroni and stir well. Place macaroni and cheese into a buttered baking dish and top with breadcrumbs and more cheese. Bake until the top is crispy. This is the perfect homey dish to make your Jersey City condo feel like home.
Roasted Asparagus
Cut ends off the asparagus and place in a roasting pan. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast asparagus in the oven for about 25 minutes.
Dessert Ideas for a Birthday Party in Your Jersey City Condo
For dessert go to your favorite bakery and get the decadent dessert you desire! It is a birthday party of course, and it is the time to be spoiled!
