skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

An early birthday dinner

13 years ago

My older son became a foodie upon leaving home, and his latest practice is to cook dinner for our birthdays and Mothers and Fathers Day.

Tonight the meal is an early birthday dinner for me since they plan to be on vacation and camping on my birthday and my younger son can get away now and not later.

My younger son flew out from New York to be assistant chef. He made a big pitcher of delicious sangria for us using peaches, raspberries, oranges, cointreau, and wine. We loved it. He also baked a pear dessert in pie crust. In the meantime, we all enjoyed some tomato and watermelon cold soup with fresh mint, shallots, crumbled cheese, and chopped almonds.

Now they are preparing the halibut for fish tacos, one of my son's favorites. I have never had it, so it will be new for me.

These boys did not cook at home. It is something they developed living on their own. It makes for a nice birthday celebration.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

Alice_sj
13 years ago
That sounds wonderful! Family, delicious food, and wonderful memories being made. Happy early birthday!
lydia1959
13 years ago
Wow! They sound like fabulous cooks! Enjoy that wonderful meal.

Happy Birthday when it gets here! :)
Related Discussions
Dinner I Made For Hubbys Birthday, Was Great
Q
Comments (10)
BD that is one of my all time favorite "make your man happy" meals. At least my men, those foods are all their favorites. Well, they like carrot cake but their all time favorite dessert is cheesecake, but my mom's favorite is carrot cake. We had a meal almost identical to yours for a post-Thanksgiving family get together. The only difference was I think we had pumpkin cheesecake for dessert plus coleslaw as a salad. It was my first time doing a stuffed pork loin, before I have just done a marinated one. It wasn't easy, especially since I don't have a mallet for pounding meat. I used the back of a small saucepot. That was a trip! But it sure is cool looking to serve!
...See More
Thank you all for your inputs, Birthday dinner delivered!
Q
Comments (13)
Thanks 1pinkmountain, jessyf, and Linda! LOL 1pinkmountain. Sounds like something my mother-in-laws would do. I know my FIL liked lentil soup because I had made that for him a few times. MIL, not so much. LOL Jessy & Linda, I got a thank-you call from FIL after our dinner. He said they really liked the meal especially the biscuits and "buns" aka orange chocolate chip muffins. The "other dish" aka spinach cranberry salad was not something they were familiar with but they "liked" it - being polite. :-) Well, I gave my best shot and they got what they wanted. Hubby came home, after delivering, and told me that his dad had a big grin on his face when he saw what I made for him. That's all it counts! Al
...See More
Birthday Dinner!
Q
Comments (11)
Sally It was a happy coincidence that I had this wine on hand. I had gone wine shopping with a friend a few years ago and had gotten a bunch of mid-priced ($15 - $30 bottle) as a mixed case and set several of them aside. This was one of them. Yesterday, when I knew what the menu was, I decided to google Swordfish and Wine Pairing. The first and most recommended wine was GV. I just happened to have this bottle languishing on the shelf in the 'cellar' and viola - a perfect match for the dinner! It just so happened that this is one of the 'powerful' GVs that held up beautifully to the strong caesar flavors and swordfish. Sometimes it really is just luck! LOL! Alexa Here is a link that might be useful: Gruner Veltliner
...See More
Follow Up: DH birthday dinner
Q
Comments (11)
Glad you asked Annie! Antipasto - calimari; arancini, tomato, red onion and basil crostini; roasted garlic and shaved piave crostini. Insalata della casa Secondi - ravioli ai quattro formaggi; margherita pizza; chicken piccata Dessert - vesuvio chocolate cake; Italian cheesecake Don't know about the cheeses at the "afterparty". Two were soft - one a very creamy brie and one more of a goat cheese with a vein of blue cheese. One of the hard cheeses tasted like a mild swiss with a nutty kind of thing going on, and the other I completely can't remember. I think the birthday boy was pleased. He was very complimentary after everyone left. While he claims he's not one to savor the spotlight, I think he secretly enjoys it very much. And he did send out an email thanking everyone for celebrating with us with lots of kind words for me. Always nice to be appreciated. AM
...See More
susie53_gw
13 years ago
Have a great time!!
yayagal
13 years ago
That's wonderful Sheila, you have raised them well. Food sounds delish!
Georgysmom
13 years ago
Oh to be there enjoying it all with you. Sounds wonderful!
socks
13 years ago
This is just better than any gift in a box, isn't it? The gift of time and effort.

Heartfelt best wishes for a very happy birthday, Sheila. I've always enjoyed your participation here.
glenda_al
13 years ago
Lucky you!

I would love any and all of your delicious sounding birthday dinner.
patti43
13 years ago
This has to be your best birthday ever--sons home and making you a birthday feast. They may not have cooked when they were home, but obviously missed your great cooking so learned to do it themselves! Happy Birthday, Mom (early). I know you enjoyed every single minute of it.
jannie
13 years ago
Sounds wonderful! Happy Birthday!
pam_25f
13 years ago
Amazing meal, and what a great tradition.
sleeperblues
13 years ago
What thoughtful kids, certainly raised right! I would love to have my kids do that for me. I hope you enjoy your dinner and your company!

Related Stories

EVENTS Happy Birthday, Rembrandt: Peek Inside the Dutch Painter’s Former House

By Mitchell Parker

The famous Dutch painter surrounded himself with expensive artwork and rare antiquities, which led to a foreclosure on his house

DECORATING GUIDES Happy Birthday, Marilyn Monroe

By Mitchell Parker

Celebrate the ever-enthralling Hollywood star with artwork, furniture and fabrics sporting her unforgettable image

HOLIDAYS 5 DIY Holiday Gifts to Start Early

By Vanessa Brunner

Handmade gifts for the home can be the most meaningful of all, but a rushed DIY project can bring on stress and mistakes

MY HOUZZ My Houzz: Early-California Style for a 1920s Home and Garden

By Bonnie McCarthy

Native plantings and flea market treasures fill the cozy live-work space of a Southern California landscape designer

HOUZZ TV FAVORITES Houzz TV: See How Early Settlers Lived in This Restored Pilgrim House

Passionate restoration and preservation efforts give a 1665 home an honored place in the present

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: An Early Autumn Picnic

By Lillian Chang

Apple cider and s'mores, anyone? 20 finds to keep you entertaining outdoors into the fall

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Early 20th Century Meets Contemporary

By Holly Marder

Modern and ethnic touches blend effortlessly in this renovation of a 1920s home in The Hague

DECORATING GUIDES Dinner and a Good Book: 12 Double-Duty Dining Rooms

By Bryan Anthony

Create your own library-inspired reading room by pairing a dining table with bookshelves

LIFE Simple Pleasures: Dinner for One

By Laura Gaskill

Make a solo meal a luxurious experience by savoring the moment along with whatever you cook

PRODUCT PICKS Guest Picks: Arrange a Romantic Fall Dinner for Two

By Cozy Little House

Make staying home an intimate affair with furnishings and accessories that set the stage for romance

Sponsored

AIS Renovations

15 Reviews

Custom Craftsmanship & Construction Solutions in Franklin County, Ohio

More Discussions

No one needs to spend $50 on...

22

Sunday Brain Game---SOLUTION

29

Where is Nicole's "Have you found any bargains" thread?

31

Woodstock — the event. Would you have wanted to be there?

31

16