Adult Birthday Party Food & Recipes

Recipe adapted from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. Sure, you could buy one of those pre-made almost day-glow yellow cake shells that always seem to be conveniently located by the strawberries in the produce section for this dessert. Or you could bake this delectable chocolate hazelnut genoise cake as a base for your short cake and a homemade treat for the birthday celebrant!

Recipe adapted from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. When trying to please a crowd, choose a favorite chicken dish like this piccata recipe.

Bocconcini are small balls of cheese, usually mozzarella, that are perfect for appetizers. This recipe is very simple and a great way to kick off an Italian dinner party.

Recipe from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. When I think of souffles an odd analogy comes to mind: Rock climbing. Sugar is often sprinkled on the bottom and up the sides of individual souffle dishes. The theory is that the souffle needs something to grab onto as it rises in the oven and "climbs" the side of the dish.

Recipe from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. Though the title suggests a broiled preparation, these lamb chops are also wonderful when cooked on an outdoor grill. Place chops on a clean grill about 6 inches above medium coals. Cook for 5 minutes on one side and the flip chops over and cook for another 5 minutes or until desired doneness.

Sweet apples and savory bleu cheese combine into amazing appetizer bites! I've included a crust recipe in this appetizer but you could always just pick up an unbaked frozen crust from the store to make these mini tarts.   

Recipe from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. This classic dessert is an excellent end to a meal and a sweet way to begin an interlude.

Recipe from Jim McCann and Jeanne Benedict's book Celebrations. A lovely presentation, these chicken breasts are stuffed with a blend of exotic ingredients that are sure to tantalize your palate.

"Candied" and "caramelized" are close companions if not twins separated by a couple of decades in describing cooking methods. Since purple potatoes are similar to yams but a bit less sweet, I thought this traditional yam presentation would be marvelous for these amethyst beauties.

Recipe from Jeanne Benedict's Sophisticated Entertaining. Japanese eggplant may be labeled as "baby eggplant" in your grocery store as they are miniatures of the big Aubergine. You can go overboard on the food-to-guest ratio with these as they are tiny and scrumptious.