party food

****When I view my blog, it looks like the ends of my sentences are getting cut off.  I'm not sure if it's just my computer or what.  I'm looking into it.**** Update -  It seems to be better in internet explorer than safari.****

Everyone raved about the food at Emmy's party so I thought I would share some of the recipes with you.  Other than my chicken salad, I borrowed some wonderful recipes from some other great cooks!  Since we were having brunch, I tried to have a good variety of breakfast and lunch foods.  On the menu was: bacon and egg cups, fruit, monkey bread, donut holes, brie, chicken salad and  mini croissants and green bean bundles.  

 Bacon and Egg Cups

Source: recipebyphoto.com via Grace on Pinterest

I wanted something different than a breakfast casserole that would be more finger food friendly.  I found these yummy bacon and egg cups on pinterest and thought they would be perfect. I used a mini muffin tin, but you can make them in a regular size muffin tin if you want more per serving.  Simply wrap a slice a bacon around the cup (you may have to cut some off), pour in whipped eggs (seasoned how you like.....cheese if you want), then bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes.  I would suggest spraying your pan first.  I'm still trying to get egg out of my muffin tins.

Monkey Bread

I have only made monkey bread once before, but it was so good!  I just used the recipe from the Pillsbury website and altered it to my liking. 

You will  need:

2 cans Pillsbury Grands Homestyle buttermilk biscuits

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 cup packed brown sugar

3/4 cup melted butter

bundt cake pan

You simply cut the biscuits into fourths then shake them in a ziploc bag with the sugar and cinnamon mixture.  Place them in the cake pan.  Then melt butter and stir in the brown sugar and pour over top of the biscuits.  Bake at 350 for 28-32 minutes and let sit in pan for 10 minutes before removing.    

Brie

I have a friend who makes the best brie.  She gave me her recipe and I tried my best.  The ingredients are the same, but I'm not sure about my technique.

You will need:

1 round of brie

1 box puff pastry (2 sheets)

raspberry preserves

brown sugar

slivered almonds

Unwrap the brie (I left the outer layer of the cheese on), put the preserves, brown sugar, and almonds on top, then wrap in puff pastry.  Then I repeated the steps again....put the preserves, brown sugar and almonds on the top and wrap it with the second piece of puff pastry.  You are supposed to cut a few shapes out of the puff pastry and place on the top, but ours fell off, oops!  I cooked mine at 350 for about 30 minutes (just don't let the pastry get too brown).

Chicken Salad

I simply boil the chicken breasts, shred them, then chop the chicken.  I use mayonnaise, salt, pepper, celery seed, and chopped celery.  I have no measurements for any of it.  I just taste it as I go.  We served the chicken salad on mini croissants from Kroger.

Green Bean Bundles

I got this yummy recipe from Kelly's Korner.  I thought this was the perfect way to include a vegetable, but not have a veggie tray.  

You will need: 

2-3 cans whole green beans 

bacon slices (I cut them in half)

1 stick of butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 tsp garlic salt

These were super easy.  You just wrap the bacon around a bundle of green beans (5-6).  Place them in a baking dish.  Melt a stick of butter then mix in brown sugar and garlic salt.  Pour over the bundles and cook at 350 for 30 minutes then put under the broiler for 5 minutes.   

And mimosas were the perfect touch for this yummy brunch...even if it was a party for a one year old!