Birthday Dinner Ideas...

[Great_White]

Well my birthday is coming up on friday and I'd like some ideas for a birthday meal.

Lately, on my b-day, I generally have:

Chicken Cordon Bleu in mustard & wine sause
Angel Hair Pasta in mustard & wine sauce
And Cheesey Garlic Bread

but im thinking I will go for something new this year.

I'm not the largest fan of pastas so lets avoid those for the most part.
Same with most tomato based things, that and pasta go hand in hand. Bleh.

Im not the biggest fan of seafood, hate shrimp (love popcorn shrimp though, odd)

And I love spicy foods. Its a good meal if my nose is runny at the end. Although i can also go for something tangy (hence why I enjoy the mustard and wine sauce on everything)

I'd like to stay away from the dryer meats, such as steaks and whole breasts. But ground beef is good. I dont know, I just hate things that end up dry as... well i dont have faith when my family cooks my meals, lets just say, medium rare to my father, is well done. Everyone gets well done no matter the request. (Damn BBQ )

Im more a fan of country style, messy cooking. It doesnt need to look pretty
I also like mexican food.

Anyways, theres my gigantic list of guidelines. Do feel free to break them if you think its something that I will like. I'm up for nearly anything.

[kurty[B]]

How does Jambalaya sound to you?

[maleficent]

Chicken Masala
4 chicken breasts, cubed
2 onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbs. fresh ginger, minced
1 c. plain yogurt (not the fat free, or even low fat)
1 tsp. corrainder powder
2 tbsp. curry powder
1 tsp. cumin
2 tomatoes, chopped fine (I've used a large can of chopped tomatoes, and that worked OK - -but fresh tomatoes are better)_
Salt and pepper to taste
Cilantro to garnish
Mix onions, garlic and ginger together. In a large skillet add 1 tsp oil and brown the pureed onion mixture. Stir for 8 to 10 minutes on medium heat. Add the chicken and cover it with tomatoes, yogurt, salt, pepper and the spices. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 15 minutes. Stir the chicken for all the spices to blend in. Cover and let it simmer on low heat for 10 minutes. Now serve hot and garnish with cilantro. Serve

Serve over jasmine rice (it's more fragrant than plain white rice) or Indian breads or even Pita bread - -this sauce it makes is awesome.

This is super easy to make, the only challenge is finding the spices. (technically, I think, it should have Garam Masala to make it chicken masala - but Curry is generally much easier to find)

[maleficent]

Spicey Ginger-Garlic Chicken
8 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
6 cloves garlic, minced
3 tsp. grated ginger root
1/4 to 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (more if you like)
1/4 tsp. black pepper
1/4 tsp. cinnamon
1/4 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tbsp. catsup
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1 tsp. water
In a small bowl combine garlic, ginger root, salt, red pepper, black pepper, cinnamon and cardamom. Stir in catsup, vinegar and water. Brush both sides of each chicken breast with garlic mixture.

Place chicken in a shallow baking pan. Bake uncovered in a 375 degree oven for 45-55 minutes or until no longer pink.

Serve with a ratatouille or a rice pilaf on the side.

Serve with some

[Great_White]

Never had Jumbalya.

And I'm sorry Mal, but those just dont sound appealing to me. You like chicken though huh? :P

I cant say im the biggest fan, save a few dishes.

[ShaniFaye]

Well you killed the idea of my favorite bday dinner

Top Sirloin basted in Coke and Jack Daniels
Shrimp Cocktail
Chef Salad
Fried Cheesecake

so I have no ideas

but Jambalaya rocks!!! I have it a lot though, so its not a "special occasion" meal

[maleficent]

Ok -- how about ribs
4 pounds pork back ribs

Maleficent's Barbeque Sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 cup brewed coffee
4 teaspoons brown sugar
1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger bourbon (I tend to use more, the alcohol does burn off)
1 cup honey
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup tomato sauce
In a medium saucepan over medium low heat, combine all ingredients. Mix together well and allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

Season ribs with salt and pepper.
Place ribs on a medium-hot grill over indirect heat; close grill hood and grill until ribs are tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. (add more charcoal briquettes to fire, if necessary, to maintain grill temperature of about 325-350 degrees F.)
Finish by turning and basting ribs with barbecue sauce for the last 15 minutes.
Serve ribs directly from the grill or, {This trick I got from some website)for extra tender ribs remove from grill, wrap in heavy aluminum foil. Place foil-wrapped ribs in brown paper bags, close bags and let ribs rest for up to an hour.
Unwrap ribs, cut into serving pieces and serve with extra barbecue sauce.

have corn on the cob - and baked taters and other barbeque goodness.