Happy Birthday Parties!

(#1 of a 6 part series on birthdays)

One of the absolute joys in my life is making my daughter's special day even more special. Every year we throw her a birthday party, something that I start planning for in December until her birth month, April. LOL!

We've had a couple of themes through the years depending on her current interests. Except on her first year, I picked the panda theme which is cute and can be an Asian theme as well.

Centerpiece was a small lantern, mini panda plush and a bamboo plant that guests can take home.

Yummy cupcake tower, cupcakes were a gift from one of her Ninangs.

Panda pound cake made by her Lola and the chocolate ganache cake made by another Lola! So yummy!

Lollipops in theme colors of black, white and hot pink!

She slept and missed a lot of things during the party, but she enjoyed it a lot when she woke up. We did the usual cake smash (cupcake smash in our case), blowing of the candle and opening her presents. Time really flew by, she is turning 6 soon! :)

Bow Tie Pasta in White Parmesan Sauce with Asparagus and Italian Chicken

Ingredients:

2 cups bowtie pasta cooked al dente
1 boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into small strips
1 cup chopped asparagus
Italian dressing enough to cover chicken in a Ziploc bag
1 tbsp butter
1 tbsp EVOO
4 cloves minced garlic
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 cup half and half
1/4 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Marinate chicken in a Ziploc bag with Italian dressing for at least an hour in the fridge.

Cook pasta with salt to taste for 11 minutes or according to what the box says. Add the cut up asparagus in the last 4 minutes of cooking and drain together. Set aside.

On medium heat, brown chicken in butter and EVOO. Remove chicken. Add garlic and cook until tender, add chicken broth. Let it reduce for 2 minutes then add half and half, heavy cream, salt and pepper.

Let it boil a little then add Parmesan cheese while whisking constantly to thicken. Remove from heat then add chicken, asparagus and pasta. Toss and add salt and pepper if you want.

Serve immediately and top with more Parmesan cheese.

My 5 year old absolutely loved it!