Dinner Party Serving 14

This weekend Mom was kind enough to serve a Birthday dinner in my honor. She served 14 people a lot of delicious food while being budget conscious. Here is the menu:

Grilled Chicken Breast

Asparagus Casserole (my fav)

Mashed Potatoes

Cooked Carrots

Three Bean Salad

Fruit Salad

Chocolate Pie

Banana Cream Pie

Grilled Chicken Breast:

-10 lbs Frozen Chicken Breast

-Bottled Marinade of your choice

Divide the frozen chicken breast, and put into 2 large Ziplock bags. Pour your favorite bottled marinade over the frozen chicken in each bag the day before cooking. Store in the refrigerator for about 1.5 days so the chicken has time to thaw. During that time turn the bags a couple times to keep the marinade over the chicken.

Asparagus Casserole:

This is a family favorite that we have at holidays, but it is good anytime.

-2 cans all green asparagus (pieces are good)

-6T butter

-3T flour

-1/2 cup bread crumbs

-1 cup grated cheese

-1 1/2 cup milk

-Salt and pepper to taste

-Hard boiled eggs (about 5)

Brown butter in a skillet, do not burn, add flour and brown a little more. Add milk and half of the cheese - let boil until thick. Add the the liquid from the asparagus one can to the skillet mixture then bread crumbs, salt and pepper. Chop the asparagus (into 2-3 inch pieces) and mix well. Pour in a well buttered baking dish and bake for 30 minutes, sprinkle the rest of cheese on top and serve at once. Add hard boiled eggs prior to baking. This was made the day before the dinner and kept in the refrigerator until time to bake.

Mashed Potatoes:

-5-6 lbs Yukon Potatoes

-1 stick butter

-8-10 oz of sour cream

-Salt and pepper to taste

Cook potatoes in the microwave or on stove and drain the water. Add ingredients and use mixer (hand or stand mixer) and mix until smooth. These were made 3-4 hours before the party. They were then put into a buttered crock pot on warm. Cover with the lid and they will be ready to serve when you need them.

Cooked Carrots:

-2 lbs carrots

-Butter

-Sugar

Peel carrots and cut into 1/4 to 1/2 inch pieces. Put into salted water and cook on stove until tender. When tender, drain off water. Add butter to taste (about 4 tablespoons). Add a small amount of sugar (about 1/4 to 1/3 cup). This can be made ahead of time and kept in refrigerator to be heated up before dinner.

Three Bean Salad:

Bought a large jar of three bean salad at the supermarket. Poured in serving dish.

Fruit Salad:

Recipe Here

French Bread:

-2 loaves French Bread

-Butter

-Garlic Powder

Cut in 1/2 length wise. Open and put melted butter onto entire length of both pieces. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Put pieces back together. Wrap in foil. Bake in 400 degree oven for 10-15 pieces. Cut loaf into pieces after it has been heated. (From Rachael Ray Show). The bread was prepared the day before and heated right before serving.

We will add the dessert recipes another time.

Thanks Mom! It was delicious!!