Family Feature: Bubba's Birthday Dinner

Bubba turns 19 next week. He goes to college in SLO and we won't be able to see him on his actual birthday. So tonight, we celebrate!

Here is the celebration dinner! Please excuse the ridiculous Pennie Pickle that's sticking her head out from under the table. She never gets to come inside, but it's cold so she got to come in and wouldn't get out. 

The Birthday Boy with his birthday dinner and plate. It's your day! 

This salad is just so amazing! It's Cara Cara Oranges with Mozzarella and basil. Just like a Caprese salad but with oranges. The vinaigrette was absolutely delicious with orange juice in it... Yum! 

Popsicle wanted to show just how much he loves his meal. He didn't want to stop eating for a smiley picture. 

Birthday boy and his Babe! 

J and I. 

Baby Bear in all his dinner loving glory! 

Mama Bird made the most amazing dinner... So this is going to be a post with her sweet dinner recipes! It was deemed a delicious dinner!

The Big Chicken MauMau plate. Delicious! The recipes will be at the bottom of the page.

Grandpa Frank's Big Chicken MaMou 

(He was the one that shared the recipe with us for the first time!) 

PLEASE NOTE: This recipe is a little bit time intensive, but I PROMISE it's worth every moment!

Ingredients:

• 6 quarts hot water
• 3 Tablespoons salt 
• 1 box spaghetti (whole wheat is healthier!) 

Sauce Seasoning Mix: 

• 2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves
• 1 1/4 teaspoons ground red pepper (cayenne works!) 
• 1 teaspoon white pepper (you can use black if you don't have white... I never do!)
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil leaves 
• 1 stick unsalted butter
• 1 cup finely chopped onions
• 5 minced cloves of garlic 
• 3 1/4 cups chicken stock 
• 2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce 
• 1 Tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
• 2 (16 ounce) cans of tomato sauce 
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 2 cups finely chopped green onions 
• 1 pounds boneless chicken, cut into small cubes 

Chicken Seasoning Mix

• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 1 1/4 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon black pepper 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional, although it's just delicious to add!) 
• 1/2 teaspoon basil leaves

Directions: 

1. Place the hot water and salt in a large pot over high heat. 
2. Cover and bring to a boil. 
3. When the water reaches a boil, add spaghetti to the pot. 
4. Return to boil and cook to the al dente stage. (about 7 minutes) 
5. While the spaghetti is boiling combine the seasoning mix ingredients together in a small bowl and set aside. 
6. When complete drain spaghetti into a colander.
7. In a 4-quart saucepan, combine 1/2 stick of butter, the onions, and garlic cloves.
8. Saute over medium heat 5 minutes. 
9. Add the minced garlic and the seasoning mix; continue cooking over medium heat until onions are browned. 
10. Add 2 1/2 cups of the stock, the Worcestershire and Tabasco. 
11. Bring to a simmer and cook about 8 minutes stirring often. 
12. Stir in the tomato sauce and bring mixture to a boil. 
13. Stir in the sugar and 1 cup of green onions. 
14. Gently simmer, stirring occasionally. 
15. Mix the spices for the chicken while the sauce is simmering. 
16. Add the chicken to a skillet and dump the spices over it. 
17. Stir to spread the spices evenly over the chicken while it cooks. 
18. Add the remaining 1 cup green onions to the chicken and saute over high heat until the chicken is cooked through, about 12 minutes, stirring frequently. 
19. Once the chicken is done cooking, add the sauce from the saucepan. 
20. Let mixture cook for about an hour. 
21. Serve the chicken mix over the spaghetti. 
22. Enjoy! 

Mama Bird's Citrusy Caprese Salad

Ingredients: 

• 3 Cara Cara Oranges
• Fresh Mozzarella cheese (the kind that comes in the little watery stuff)
• 1/4 cup of orange juice 
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil 
• 2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar 
• Dash of salt and pepper

Directions: 

1. Whisk quickly. 
2. Drizzle over orange, cheese, basil arrangement.
3. Enjoy! 

And, of course, no birthday celebration would be any good without CAKE!

Angel Food cake is a big deal in our cozy house! 

Happy Birthday Bubba!