Birthday Celebration - Mediterranean Style

I am lucky enough to have a group of very special friends. We started having monthly girls nights 12 years ago and I still look forward to them!  One of the "girls" had a birthday recently, a great excuse for a celebration!  Happy Birthday, Sandra! I hope your birthday was as wonderful as you are!

The Decor

You can't go wrong with beautiful colors of the Mediterranean coast. With lots of white and a mixture of blues, plus candles, shells and sand - the tablescape was one of my favorites!

To top it off my friends talented daughter made origami sail boats!

The Menu

The Mediterranean Theme Menu was (see recipes below)

Drinks
White Sangria
Wine

Appetizers
Greek Dip with Pita Chips
Assorted Cheeses and Meats

Salads
Orzo Salad
Salad with Greek Dressing

Side Dishes
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Main Course
Flank Steak with Mediterranean Spices

Dessert
Yum! Nothing Bundt Chocolate and Lemon Cakes

White Sangria

4 (750 milliliter) bottlesmoscato wine

4 (12 fluid ounce) cans or bottles lemon-lime soda (such as Sprite®)

1 cup brandy

1 cup peach schnapps

2 fresh peaches, pitted and sliced

1 (16 ounce) package fresh strawberries, sliced

2 mangos - peeled, seeded, and sliced

1/2 fresh pineapple - peeled, cored, and cut into chunks

1 (6 ounce) container fresh raspberries

Mix together and let sit.

Greek Dip

1 package Italian Dressing

1 16 oz cream cheese

1 8oz Hummus

2 tomatoes diced

1 cucumber diced

1/2 jar Kalamata olives sliced in half

3-4 green onions diced

Feta cheese

Pita chips

Mix together the Italian dressing and cream cheese.  In a serving dish, layer the cream cheese mixture, Hummus, tomatoes, cucumber, onion and olives.  Top with Feta. Serve with pita chips.

Orzo Salad

1 1/2 cups uncooked orzo pasta

2 (6 ounce) cans marinated artichoke hearts

1 tomato, seeded and chopped

1 cucumber, seeded and chopped

1 red onion, chopped

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1 (2 ounce) can black olives, drained

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper

Fingerling Potatoes

Cover fingerling potatoes with olive oil and ranch dressing mix.  Cook for 1 hour or until cooked.

Flank Steak

Marinate the steak for 12-24 hours in the following:

Olive Oil

Oregano

Garlic

Herbs de Provence

Kosher Salt

When ready to cook, remove from marinade and cook until your desired doneness.