Now, as for the food for the party...I did it all myself. And not that it was extravagant or anything, but it was a lot of work and took preparation. The menu had: little smokies, vegetables/dip, chips/salsa and of course cake! Although no party is truly complete unless there is a Pinata right? ;) So we had one of those too. Although I didn't take any pictures at the party today, my mom did and will send me hers which is nice! :) I did snap a couple yesterday while I was preparing some of the food.
I love chips and salsa, and while I usually use my standard of homemade (by my mom and I) in the cupboard, I was fresh out and so I wanted to make some. I'm not a huge fan of the store-bought salsa anyway, and my mom and I had tried this recipe for Restaurant Style Salsa by Pioneer Woman over Memorial Day so I decided to make it for the party. Apparently everyone else enjoyed it too because it went pretty fast! :) I did the recipe the same as Ree has it except I didn't add Cumin, because I simply didn't have it....nor do I think I actually like it....and I only used one can of Rotel because I think it would have been too hot otherwise. Anyway, great salsa!
Restaurant Style Salsa by Pioneer Woman
Ingredients
- 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
- 2 cans (10 Ounce) Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
- ¼ cups Chopped Onion
- 1 clove Garlic, Minced
- 1 whole Jalapeno, Quartered And Sliced Thin
- ¼ teaspoons Sugar
- ¼ teaspoons Salt
- ¼ teaspoons Ground Cumin
- ½ cups Cilantro (more To Taste!)
- ½ whole Lime Juice
Preparation Instructions
Combine whole tomatoes, Rotel, onion, jalapeno, garlic, sugar, salt, cumin, lime juice, and cilantro in a blender or food processor. Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you’d like—I do about 10 to 15 pulses. Test seasonings with a tortilla chip and adjust as needed. Refrigerate salsa for at least an hour. Serve with tortilla chips or cheese nachos.
Vegetable trays: 2 Reusable Plastic trays from Dollar Tree, 2 lb. baby carrots, 2 # broccoli, 1 head cauliflower and Dip of your choice. Put those together and you get two good-sized veggie trays at a great price! :) (Mine are pictured above.)
As for the little smokies, I got a big package of them at Sams for $5. I think there were about 125 of them in there. Great deal huh? And I cooked them on the stove as directed and then smothered them in bbq sauce. Then I kept them hot in a round crock pot I borrowed from my mom. :) They went really fast too. But who doesn't love a perfectly portioned little sausage? :)
Cake. While the thought ran across my mind that I could make one for this event, I decided to leave it up to the professionals. :) So I got a full sheet cake from King Soopers and had them do it half Almond Poppy-seed and half Chocolate all with Buttercream frosting. It turned out great, and we couldn't even see the seam down the middle! I suppose I could have ordered a half sheet cake though because there were leftovers...but I'd rather have too much, than too little. :) Did I mention it tasted amazing? I love King Soopers cakes. Especially Almond Poppy-seed with the white buttercream. Delicious. Yum. :)
Pinata was a hit too. We had the kiddos take turns and I think they enjoyed it. Although...it wouldn't break open, so at the end of pinata time we just put it on the ground and let the kiddos tear it up.
Anyway, after weeks of preparation it was over within two hours. Kind of reminds me of our wedding...although this was obviously on a much smaller scale. Anyway, it was a good time with great people. I am actually glad it's over now though. Sad, but glad. :) Can't believe we leave two weeks from today. So. Bittersweet. So. So. Bittersweet.
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