Party on the weekend ~ after some ideas and/or recipes.

Okay, for some STUPID STUPID STUPID reason, and yes you would think I would KNOW BETTER... for the fourth year in a row I am hosting my birthday and having a BBQ. Of course, now, three days before the event I am telling myself how much of a TWIT I am for not going to a restaurant...:wall:

1/. Rissoles.
Normally I bulk mine up a bit with grated carrot and potato (+ egg, tuscan seasoning & breadcrumbs) - is there anything else I can add to them to make them go a bit further. Can someone post their recipe so I can see if I'm doing it "right"?

2/. Potato Salad.
I LOVE my potato salad... but I think others get scared off by it because I put a whole jar of honey mustard seeds in it - which is really tasty! Mine is basically; spuds, mayo, mustard seeds, bacon, spring onion. I would LOVE to know how people incorporate egg into theirs, as Im always to scared to try. How exactly do you cut it up and do you mix it in with the rest or sprinkkle on top?
MAZ - if you happen to read this, I LOVED yours, can I grab the recipe from you. I will PM you tomorrow night ;)

3/. Zucchini Slice.
I want this in general, just need a baby friendly recipe please :)

4/. Butter Cake.
I only ever make mudcakes and I am a queen at mudcakes but know nothing about much else. I have a big baking tray i am going to use for the cakes (its designed as a deep casserole or lasagne tray but it will work ;)) and I would like the cake to ideally rise to the surface. Recipes and instructions! How much does a butter cake rise? Gosh im clueless, i should so just buy a cake.

I think that's it... i have sourced my icing question answers from the kids party threads ;)

OMG, I'm a potato salad mad person too ... instead of the mustard seeds I'm a sucker for a ton of chopped spring onions which is more than often not to everyone's liking ... ah, hey more for me, hee hee :p

... I was going to suggest if you are having a Green Salad I have found nearly every LOVES the Paul Newmans Creamy Caesar Dressing in a bottle (great for anyone watching their weight too, not that it tastes like diet food) ... Is very YUMMO :dance:

If you have an ALDI near by ?? ... They have a box of frozen Mini Quiches for $4.99 (in box there are 3 different flavs) ... My sisters friend is a chef & tells her guests she made them :cryinglaugh:

If you after cheap tasty Garlic Bread believe it or not the Safeway generic brand twin pkt about $1.70 was recommended to me by my friends hubby whom you guessed it is a chef ;)

Things to make .... Pizza Wheels with ham, cheese, onion, sundried toms & oregano - can eat cold or hot ... (If interested I can give you the recipe !!!) :)

By the way, ... Have a SUPER birthday :happyforyou:

I have a recipe for a bake in bread dip that is awesome. Takes about an hour or so though but mmmmm cheesy. Let me know if you want it!

Rissoles- add some zucchini too maybe and onion?
Potato Salad- I generally boil up say 6-8 eggs depending on the size of the salad and I leave one for on top - the rest I cut into quarters and I kind of moosh it into the salad, then the rest I add in once its all been mixed and they hold their shaped better. I think that makes sense!

Woman you have enough to worry about other than a cake. Buy a packet! ;) That's all I can think of right now - will be back later!

With the rissoles, make them small! I make mine the night before, cook them in a frypan and they're about the size of a squash ball, nice and round ... you can reheat them or serve them cold.

mmm, cake. Ask a friend to bring one!

Potato salad - I cut up my taties into cubes (or if using baby ones, cut in half) and boil them up. Once ready, drain and wait for them to cool slightly. Sprinkle with vinegar (it helps keep their shape and gives a nice taste..) and pop in fridge overnight.

Whisk together a bit of seeded mustard and olive oil (just a dash). Pour over potatoes. Add in chopped spring onion (here you can add in some finlely sliced gherkins). Add Mayo and sliced boiled egg. Give a good mix. Salt and pepper to taste.

For garnish, reserve an egg (or two depending on salad size), spring onion and continential parsley. You could make a circle with the eggs, then inner circle with spring onion, and a bouquet of parsely in the centre.

Another good salad is pasta with roast veg salad. I use the bow shaped pasta. Add in about 5-6 grilled eggplant and/or zucchini and sundried tomatoes. Drizzle with bought dressing(I use red wine mustard dressing - i think its by Paul Newman) and then add in a heap of baby spinach leaves. I also sprinkle some parmesan through.


As for the cake, packet mix is good, or throw together a trifle if you dont need to have a traditional cake. Or ask someone to bring one...


Hope you have a great PARTY!

Stuffed mushrooms is another goodie - quick and easy.

Get rid of the storks and give them a good wipe. In a bowl mix breadcrumbs, chopped contintental parsley, olive oil and parmesan cheese (you can add a clove of garlic too for extra taste). Scoop mixture into mushrooms and sprinkle some grated cheese over the top. Put aside til your just about ready to serve them up.

Pop them in the oven for about 10 mins - so cheese can melt and they are heated through. Serve on big white platter.