This year, we celebrated our daughter’s fourth birthday. We invited our daughter’s Pre-K classmates, family friends, my husband’s family members, and my family members. With just our family, we had more than 20 guests attending the party. We knew we had to be efficient with our meal plan.

We needed to prepare food that would be 1) Delicious, 2) Easy to Make, and 3) Plentiful. We decided to go with a make your own taco bar. We were familiar with the recipes, and we thought that the food choices would be appealing to most everyone.

 

The fiesta menu included:

 

  1. Cilantro-Lime Rice
  2. Cilantro Chili-Lime Chicken
  3. Fire Roasted Corn
  4. Black Beans
  5. Fajita Veggies
  6. Yummy Guacamole
  7. Fresh Green Salad
  8. Bell Pepper & Bean Quinoa Salad
  9. Cucumber & Tomato Salad
  10. Cilantro Coleslaw

 

To prepare the food items, we chopped and marinated the chicken overnight. Early the next morning, we got started on our other dishes. Then the chicken was cooked in the skillet. We also added warm tortillas, sour cream, shredded cheese and salsa for the tacos. A veggie tray and fruit tray complemented the food display.

To drink, we made sassy water (with sliced strawberries and lime), and fresh lemonade. We removed the chairs and used the dining room table to display and serve the food. Our guests were able to walk around the table with their plates and create their own taco. We also made quesadillas to order for the younger children. And for dessert we served a birthday sheet cake that was decorated for the birthday girl.

The decorations and table coverings were colorful and festive. Clusters of balloons made every area fun. The music was lively and the setting light-hearted and spirited. Game stations were set up in different areas, so the children could enjoy play, while the adults enjoyed the atmosphere. Outside tents included chairs, and outdoor games. And the festivities included a piñata filled with candy treats for the children.

Everyone enjoyed the food and company, and our daughter had a wonderful summer-time, fourth birthday party with family and friends.

Article Written by: Rachel Harper

*For the Cilantro-Lime Rice Recipe, click here.

*For the Cilantro Chili-Lime Chicken Recipe, click here.

*For the Yummy Guacamole Recipe, click here.

*For the Bell Pepper & Bean Quinoa Salad Recipe, click here.

*For the Cucumber & Tomato Salad Recipe, click here.

*For the Cilantro Coleslaw Recipe, click here.