If you could plan a menu for a party

For about 35 people (1/2 adults, 1/2 kids aged 3-16) what would you do?

My younger sons 1st bday party is right around the corner and I can't commit on food. I've done the catering route and I feel like I want to do something different. Any ideas?

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

Does the party have a particular theme?

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

For my sons 1st birthday I wanted something a little different.
I made ribs, pulled pork, corn bread, baked beans, cole slaw etc.

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

Maybe for a fire truck theme you can do 'red foods' - pastas, chicken parmesan, pizza, Roasted tomatoes, bruschetta, Chili, red candies - jelly beans, gumballs, red hots, red velvet cake, etc..

OR you can do 'spicy' foods (things that are traditionally spicy but you don't ahve to make them spicy since there will be all palates):

Pepperoni and Pepperjack cheese with crackers
Buffalo Chicken Dip
Jalapeno Poppers
Arroz con Pollo
Tacos/Burritos

and maybe spice cookies or ginger snaps with the birthday cake. You can decorate the bday cake with red hots and spice drops.

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

I want to be at any party where there's red hots and jalapeno poppers -- just saying.

I think going 'spicy' is super fun. But you can be creative with what you have for the kiddies.

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

For firetruck I love the idea of "Barbque themed food". As pp mentioned, you could do pulled pork in your crock pot, and make or have ribs catered. I also like some "fiery" foods in there. Perfect for winter as well.

ETA: Southern Living always has yummy pulled pork recipes and I got this spicy dip in my reader today:

http://annies-eats.com/2010/10/21/jalapeno-popper-dip/

Message edited 11/30/2010 11:29:30 PM.

Re: If you could plan a menu for a party

Thanks so much for the great ideas!