The challenge when you throw a child’s birthday party is usually in making two menus. The kids are not going to come by themselves, so you need to make sure you have something the parents can enjoy as well. Why can’t there be a happy medium in creating food that kids will love, but also the adults will find appetizing? We have some ideas to help you reduce your cooking time and create only one menu that everyone will love.

Taco Cups

Taco cups are great because they will appeal to both the kids and adults, and they take a very short time to make. If you run out, a new batch can be whipped up in a flash and the party can continue to roll right along without interruption. This is a nice little twist on a family favorite.

Taco cups will appeal to both adults and children for a kids birthday.

Ingredients (about 12 servings):

½ pound of lean meat
1 packet of taco seasoning
1c shredded cheddar cheese
1 can refried beans
1c mild salsa
½ c sour cream
Bag of Tostitos Scoops

Preparation and Cooking Instruction:

In a large skillet, brown meat, drain off excess liquid and add taco seasoning. Toss until meat is well seasoned.
Place Scoops on a large serving platter. In each Scoop, put approximately one tablespoon of beans, meat, cheese, salsa and top with sour cream. They are now ready to serve!

Irish Pizza

Pizza is an old time favorite, but by serving it on tasty potato slices, you are now making something completely out of the norm that both the kids and adults alike are going to love!

Both kids and adults will sure like this Irish pizza.

Ingredients (per two servings for kids, one for an adult):

1 large potato
½ c pizza sauce
½ c grated mozzarella cheese
1 T olive oil

Preparation and Cooking Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut potato into medium sized slices–you should get about 6-8 slices per potato (roughly 1/12 inch). Line cookie sheet with parchment paper, brush each slice with olive oil and place on sheet. Lightly dust all slices with Kosher salt. Cook each side up for about 10 minutes. Watch slices during second side and remove from oven when they turn golden and crisp up, similar to homemade potato chips.

On each slice, add 1t of sauce and cover with cheese. Return to oven and bake for approximately five more minutes. Remove when cheese has completely melted and before it begins to brown. Allow the slices to cool for a few minutes before serving.

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The Super Bowl is infamous for everyone letting his or her diet go. We fill our plate with junk food and our New Year’s Resolution goes right out the window. Instead of falling off the wagon this year, why not create some healthy food that everyone will think is junk food? What am I talking about? A healthy version of chili that will have flames shooting out of their mouth, but that will put a smile on their face at the same time!

Enjoying the super bowl party!

Ingredients

1 Dried Ghost Pepper
3 Habanero Peppers
3 Jalapeno Peppers
2 T Spanish Paprika
2 T Coriander (whole)
2 T Oregano (dried)
2 T Chile Powder
1 T Cumin
3 T Olive Oil
2 Large Cans of Crush Tomatoes
6 T Minced Garlic
2 T Masa Harina
2 Pounds Lean Ground Turkey
2 Pounds Lean Hot Turkey Sausage
1 Large Onion

Food Preparation Instructions

Cook off sausage and drain off grease. A Foreman grill works perfectly for this. Allow sausage to cool and then slice down in ½-inch pieces.

Hot dog, chips, sandwiches and buffalo wings are the favorite for super bowl party.

Heat small skillet and place paprika, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and coriander into skillet. Allow to cook for about two minutes and remove from heat. Cut onions and peppers down appropriately and put into food processor with garlic and heated spices. Finely chop mixture and set aside in a small bowl.

Remove lean turkey from package and pat dry with paper towels. In a large stewing pot, heat olive oil and then add pepper/spice mixture. Sweat the mixture for about ten minutes, or until peppers and onions are tender. Warning: the smoke that comes up from this will be deadly, so make sure you have your exhaust fans on. When onions and peppers are tender, add ground turkey and mash together with the mixture until browned. Add sausage, tomato, and masa harina. Stir frequently until mixture comes to a boil and then lower heat to a simmer. Cover pot.

Final product: the delicious turkey chili that will not be for the fainted heart.

Allow to cook for about 90 minutes, stirring frequently. Adjust seasonings to taste with salt and pepper. Remove cover for about 15-30 minutes until desired consistency.

This can be served immediately and garnished with Mexican cheese. It should also come with a warning that anyone with a heart condition might want to pass this up. Just kidding, but you are warned that it will not be for everyone. This is true five-alarm chili recipe that fire eaters will love and the faint of heart will avoid at all costs. It will truly separate the men from boys on the biggest football day of the year!

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When a group of women gets together, they can finally let their hair down and enjoy themselves. They can eat and drink whatever they want without fear. If you are throwing a baby shower, do not think you can throw a couple of salads up on the table and be done with it. You are going to need to have a menu of every woman’s favorites to make everyone happy, including a couple of tasty beverages!

Finger Foods

There is no need to have a formal setting, as the girls will probably be moving from table to table to chat with their girlfriends they have not seen in quite some time. Serving mostly finger foods or appetizers will allow everyone to stay mobile and enjoy themselves. It will also give them the opportunity to have multiple items without feeling the guilt.

Red onion tart with whole wheat rosemary crust like this one makes perfect finger food for the ladies.

Some ideas for appetizers would be things such as an onion and cheese tart, salmon cakes, mini frittatas, roasted vegetable pizza, and quesadillas. All of these items are favorites among the ladies and they are easily handled on a small plate. There is quite the variety and even finicky or healthy eaters will be unable to complain about the choices.

Dessert

This is what will make or break the party! The ladies love CCC–cookies, cake, and chocolate. You had better have all three on the menu and it had better taste good. To keep dessert healthy, at least in appearance, consider doing a chocolate fountain with fresh fruit. That alone will put a smile on the face of over the half the crowd.

When it comes to the cookies, try to do a nice assortment that will hit everyone’s weak spots. Lemon bars, chocolate chip (there goes that chocolate again), fudge brownies, macadamia nut, peanut butter, and sugar cookies are all great ideas. Make it easy on yourself and do a small plate for every table and the ladies will always have something sweet to nibble on.

I must say, cup cake is a must, for a baby shower party.

When it comes to the cake, you can never go wrong with a cheesecake! If it is a boy, top the cheesecake with some blueberry sauce to keep the theme alive and well. For a girl, you might want to consider something like berry angel shortcake. In addition, it is probably a good idea to have some type of chocolate cake to continue to keep the chocoholics at bay!

Drinks

This is where you can really make your party shine. Take some traditional drink recipes and add some flair to them. For instance, if it is a brunch party, instead of serving Mimosa’s, treat everyone to Bellini’s with a fresh raspberry puree. Strawberry-basil mojito’s will be a pleasant surprise, as would a nice pineapple-mango margarita!

Everyone will love this delicious strawberry curd cheese cake.

When putting your menu together, try to think out of the box, while still working in the traditional favorites. The chocolate fountain is a perfect example of this. Everyone has chocolate covered strawberries or pineapples at their party, but by simply allowing them to dip it themselves, you will have the party that will be burning up the phone lines for weeks!

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When we think of when our great-grandparents were young, we imagine tea parties and nights spent dancing. Those definitely were simpler times, though people worked very hard to be able to afford things like the fine china that tea was served in and those delicious pastries that accompanied it. We can bring back a bit of the traditional way of living by using the tea party food ideas below to create an elegant event.

Banana lemon tea cake will be an excellent choice for tea party.

As the name implies, tea should be the focus of this party. This means having a wide assortment of teas, the finest china, and plenty of hot water. Food served alongside this beverage should be light and bring out the flavor of the tea. A heavy meal is the last thing that should be included in a tea party menu. Tea sandwiches, scones, breads, and teacakes are the traditional choices.

Muffin will certainly go perfectly for all types of tea.

If the party is held near holiday time, themed food is appropriate. Think about the fruits and vegetables in season and design the menu around that. For example, at Christmas time, date bread is a nice choice. Summer parties held close to Independence Day can incorporate peaches and fresh berries. A dish of fruit topped with whipped cream is light, yet filling. Vegetables like carrots are used in multiple recipes, including muffins, cakes, and even bread.

The delicious green tea cake.

A tea sandwich looks delicate but is packed with flavor. Use any type of bread or choose a croissant or biscuit. Spread the bread with cream cheese or butter and add fillings like meats, veggies, poultry, or seafood. Trim off the crusts and cut the sandwich to form a triangle. Make sandwiches about an hour before the party to prevent them from getting soggy.

Sandwiches will always be the favorite for tea party.

No tea party would be complete without some sweets so consider adding some delicate cookies or truffles. Just do not provide too many or guests may load up on these, bypassing the sandwiches and tea. Lemon cookies, shortbread, and Linzer tarts are perfect sweet additions to any tea party menu.

Though it might be fun to recreate the tea parties of old, many traditional foods are less appealing than modern offerings. We are better off using some of the tea party food ideas above because we know the meal will be delicious. The best tea parties combine the simple pleasures of the old days with modern culinary delights, resulting in a relaxing time that satisfies the stomach.

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Whether we are throwing a party ourselves or helping a friend, great food is the key to success. Sometimes, the idea to throw a party seems great but the menu presents challenges. When all else fails, turn to some time-tested recipes for party food designed to satisfy everyone on the guest list. When you think of party food ideas, recipes like this always come to mind.

Bruschetta Recipes

Bruschetta is an easy appetizer to make. Combine six seeded and diced roma tomatoes, 1 tablespoon chopped basil, 4 teaspoons of minced garlic, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, four teaspoons of olive oil, and two teaspoons of balsamic vinegar. Refrigerate- the longer, the better. In a 450-degree oven, bake slices of ciabatta or crostini bread brushed with olive oil and sprinkled with parsley and parmesan cheese. After the bread cools, top each slice with the tomato mixture and serve.

Bruschetta is a favorite food for all types of parties.

Crab Cakes Recipes

Crab cakes are considered a delicacy that guests will enjoy. Stir together a large egg, ¼ cup of plain dry bread crumbs, three tablespoons mayonnaise, one tablespoon of Old Bay seasoning, two teaspoons Worcestershire sauce, one teaspoon Dijon mustard, and two teaspoons of minced fresh parsley. Stir in 1 pound of lump crabmeat, taking care to keep the crabmeat intact. Form one-inch cakes from this mixture, each about ½-inch in thickness.

Dip each cake in ¾ cup bread crumbs, put all cakes on a foil-lined baking sheet, and refrigerate for an hour. Preheat an oven to 375 degrees, brush cakes with melted butter, and bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown, turning once. Serve the cakes warm with tartar sauce, cocktail sauce, and fancy mustard. Crab cakes can be refrigerated for up to three days prior and reheated for three to five minutes in a 350-degree oven.

Crab cakes are easy to prepare.

Chicken Wings Recipes

Chicken wings practically make themselves if you purchase pre-made buffalo wing sauce. Dip the wings in the sauce and cook them according to the package instructions. Serve with blue cheese dressing and celery. Make vegetable dip by combining dry salad dressing with sour cream as directed on the package and add bite-sized carrots, cherry tomatoes, and sliced peppers for dipping.

Chicken wings are favorite not only among adults but also kids.

When you need party food ideas, recipes like these good old standbys come to the rescue. Everyone loves them so there should be no leftovers. The great thing about this food is that people can pick at it four hours. When they are ready for another helping, they will need to fight off the other guests in line!

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There are days when the urge to have an impromptu gathering of friends strikes. It is gone nearly as soon as it hits us because when the thought turns to the menu, the mind goes blank. Having a small cookbook of easy party food ideas keeps the party plans in motion, allowing us to throw a great bash on the shortest notice. People will be amazed that we were able to pull things together so quickly.

One of the easiest party menus to plan features an assortment of appetizers rather than several entrees and side dishes. Mini pizzas are easy to throw together when we use bagels or pre-made pizza crust. Adding leftovers like sliced chicken or steak, plus some red onions and cheese, makes a delicious pizza appetizer. If we really want to get fancy, we can make a dessert-style fruit pizza topped with chocolate sauce, caramel, and whipped cream.

Veggies and dip are easy to prepare and guests enjoy them as much as salad. We can make our appetizers look high-class without spending a bundle by incorporating some unusual ingredients. Toasting a baguette and topping it with sliced apples, ricotta and gorgonzola cheeses, walnuts, and honey, creates an appetizer that looks like it should be served only in the finest restaurants.

Sandwiches are an easy option for a football party or other informal event. Serve traditional sandwiches or buy large hoagies and cut them into serving-size portions. Put some potato chips and pretzels into bowls and serve these with different flavor dips. Nachos are another party favorite and they are easy to make. Just load them up with cheese, jalapenos, beans, salsa, and sour cream and serve.

Fondue is the perfect choice when there is little time to plan a menu. Make a cheese sauce and put it into one fondue pot, serving cubes of bread for dipping. Cook chicken and steak and slice it into strips. Dip this meat into a horseradish sauce that is simmering in another fondue pot. For dessert, create a chocolate fondue and let guests dip strawberries, pineapple slices, grapes, and sliced apples.

No compilation of easy party food ideas would be complete without some desserts like cookies or brownies. For a party for children or the young at heart, consider serving ice cream sandwiches or popsicles. Guests cannot resist a smile when they see these long-time favorites coming out on a serving tray.

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Being a part of the wedding party definitely has its perks but it can also be rather trying on the nerves. We have all known some bridezillas and being in their weddings is enough to make us prefer to sit with the other guests. Throwing the bachelorette party is one bridesmaid duty made easier when you have some tasty and attractive bachelorette party food ideas that even the most selective brides will enjoy.

Budget is often a big concern when it comes to the bachelorette party. Bridesmaids spend a lot of money on their dresses, alterations, shoes, and gifts for the bride. When finances are tight, consider serving some of the bride’s favorite childhood foods. Comfort food is just what a nervous bride needs before her big day. Bridesmaids with the smallest budgets can make the childhood favorites or have a potluck of dishes the bride currently loves.

The Greek Tzatziki sauce is the perfect accompaniment for chicken skewers.

An appetizer and cocktail party is a different way to enjoy the fun. This setup gives attendees plenty of time to socialize and avoids the need to drop cash on costly drinks at a bar. Guacamole is easy to make- just mash an avocado, add finely chopped onion, a teaspoon of lemon juice, an half a teaspoon of fresh chopped chili pepper. Cover and refrigerate for a few hours and serve with nachos or pita chips.

The guacamole with chips and pita is an all time favorite.

Pumpernickel canapés are made from circles of pumpernickel bread topped with whipped cream cheese and grilled red peppers with the skin removed. Greek tzatziki sauce is the perfect accompaniment for chicken skewers. Add a half-teaspoon of fresh garlic and some finely chopped cucumber to a cup of plain yogurt. Cover this and refrigerate it for an hour prior to serving.

The pumpernickel canape is the perfect choice for a bachelorette party.

Let’s be honest- bachelorette parties can get a bit “colorful,” making pasta shaped like the male anatomy acceptable for some celebrations. Cook this pasta and serve it with vodka sauce for a different twist on basic spaghetti and sauce. Those heading toward the opposite end of the spectrum may want to consider a catered affair complete with chafing dishes filled with meat, seafood, poultry, and pasta.

Everybody will love these cupcakes.

Cupcakes are the dessert trends for parties. Incorporate some designer cupcake flavors into your bachelorette party food ideas because sweet treats are enough to sooth even the most raging bridezilla. A well-planned party goes off without a hitch, allowing the bridesmaids throwing it to have just as much fun as the other guests.

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Graduation is a rite of passage, whether it is a child passing kindergarten or an adult completing medical school. The occasion is usually marked by a ceremony attended by friends and family. Looking out on all those proud faces is great but the party afterwards is even better. Party planners know that only the best graduation party food ideas are worthy of consideration.

The party time determines the appropriate type of food. Parties held in the afternoon are the perfect excuse to dust off the grill and cook some burgers, chicken, and hot dogs. Add side dishes like macaroni and potato salad, plus some chips, condiments, and beverages, and you have a complete graduation picnic. If the guest list is large, even the best grillers will be tired, making finger sandwiches or several varieties of six-foot hoagies cut into small pieces a better choice.

Hot dog will always be a good choice for an evening graduation party.

A dinnertime celebration calls for a heavier meal. Buffet style parties are becoming quite popular for graduations because they are less formal than a sit-down dinner. Fill chafing dishes with baked ziti or lasagna, chicken, steak, and even some shrimp alfredo. Add a few hot side dishes like new potatoes, green beans, and carrots. Cold sides like salad or mozzarella and tomatoes are healthy ways to complement the meal.

Buffer dinner are getting popular because they are less formal.

No matter when the event takes place, serve some food that meets the needs of people on restricted diets. Whether this means vegetarian, non-gluten, or vegan, have at least one dish that these folks can eat. Taking the time to consider the needs of those attending shows that you care. They will truly appreciate this as it might be the first time they actually get to eat at an event.

Don’t forget to include some salad for the vegetarian guests.

Another person who should be considered when making menu selections is, of course, the graduate. If your graduate loves pizza, create a pizza buffet of traditional pies topped with meat, veggies, and extra cheese. Add some gourmet pizzas like chicken buffalo, antipasto, and surf and turf and everyone is sure to take a slice.

Pizza is all time favorite for graduation party.

These are just a few popular graduation party food ideas that form the foundation of the best menus. The cake is perhaps the best part of the menu so make it a special one. Look for recipes that contain ingredients the graduate loves like chocolate, peanut butter, or strawberries. A beautiful and delicious cake is the perfect ending to a tasty graduation party meal.

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Some people wait all year for Halloween and begin planning their annual party months in advance. Whether the guest list includes adults or children, there are plenty of creative Halloween party food ideas to consider. Some of the most creative dishes are very easy to make using basic ingredients. The food will be almost as unique as the costumes!

Pizza is one of the easiest Halloween food.

Make a regular meatloaf and cook completely. Cook six to eight lasagna noodles according to the instructions. From the meatloaf into single-portion patties and place in a serving pan. Add a thin layer of ketchup and cut slices of cheese into circles. Put two cheese slices onto each patty to form eyes. Halve the noodles and trim off the scalloped edges. Put the noodles across the meatloaf in a random fashion, filling in most of the spaces except part of the eyes. Add two green or black olives for eyeballs and you have a mummy meatloaf.

Buns are easy to make and kids like them very much.

Mozzarella eyeballs are truly scary and easy to make using mozzarella balls, topped with green olives sliced widthwise. Insert a slice of black olive into the center of the green olive hole and accent the eyeballs with pimento. Using marinated mozzarella balls makes the “eye” look especially creepy.

Whip up creepy drinks using tapioca pearls. Use a 7:1 ratio of water to tapioca, boil the water, then add the tapioca. Continue boiling for 25 minutes in a covered pan. Turn off the heat and let the tapioca sit for 15 minutes in the water. Rinse the tapioca, drain the water, and cover with colorful drink mixer, grenadine, or alcohol (adults only). Add these colorful pearls to drinks or shots.

Cookies is one of the most popular Halloween food.

For dessert, prepare cookie ghosts using Keebler E.L.Fudge cookies or Nutter Butters. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and melt white chocolate in the microwave. One bag of white chocolate chips should cover approximately 40 cookies. Sit the bowl of chocolate in a pan containing a small amount of hot water. Use a spoon to spread the white chocolate on the sides and front of the cookie. Before the white chocolate hardens, add two miniature chocolate chips for the eyes.

Adding Halloween party food ideas like these to your menu will make every guest return next year. Party hosts should be aware that they are setting a trend to outdo themselves next year so they may not want to raise the bar too high initially. With so many great ideas for Halloween party food, you should have enough to last a lifetime.

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When a person is hosting a function at his or her home, he or she may wonder what to serve. The type and quality of finger options offered may be one of the most important features of the entire party. Finding the ultimate party food ideas for adults can happen in a relatively easy fashion. Learning where to go for ideas and how to bring it all together, can turn any function into an amazing one.

Ideal Party Food for Adults

The right mixture of cold and warm items can make or break an event. It is important to put lots of effort and planning into the process of meal preparation. There are different aspects to a party that will require various food types. Appetizers are generally served before any main food items. Then there are the main dishes, followed by treats and desserts for tea and coffee.

Finger foods need to have great presentation, variety and taste. These small items will be the first glimpse into the quality of food at the function. It is important to prepare them and serve them well. Choosing a variety of finger options is a crucial factor. Some people will choose shrimp trays and dip, cheese and crackers, small warm baked foods, and pita and dip. The style of the finger treats may relate to the theme of the party or the personal taste of the guests and host. In general, four or five different trays of foods may be enough to serve a house full of guests.

Healthy Party Food for Adults

The main course will need to be served on large platters and set up on a table that is easily accessible. Presentation is key and so is having enough space to gather the food and enough plates and cutlery. Great party food, could consist of things like; wings, meatballs, chicken pieces, burgers and lots of cold salads. Salads could come in the form of cold bean, pasta or lettuce variations.

Some people will try to have a mixture of warm and cold items on the food table. That option gives people the choice between something warm or a plate full of cold salad options.

After the main meal items have been dished out, and the event begins to slow down, tea and coffee may be served. Trays can be passed around containing sweets and desserts. These desserts may be things that people can easily pick up and eat using their hands. Any kind of dessert bar works well as well as cream puffs and cookies. Dessert plates and napkins can be provided so that people can pick a couple of bite sized desserts and place them on their accessories.

If there is a theme for an event or party, choosing foods that represent that theme may be essential. A BBQ, could ensure that all finger foods, main course and desserts have a BBQ feel and can be easily taken outside. A holiday party could contain items associated with that holiday.

There are many online sources and books that can help to provide a wealth of information. The key to a great event is successful planning. It is important to plan out an event well in advance and have everything written out and organized before the date of shopping. Presentation and theme related foods may help to enhance any special event. There are many varieties to party food ideas for adults. As a result, deciding on the taste of the crowd and the theme, may help someone come up with lots of information and ideas.

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