Birthday Boy

Our good friend Jason celebrated a birthday last week and his girlfriend (and my best friend) Heather asked me to cater a little party she threw for him.  The food was appropriately themed around all of Jason's favorite things to eat.  Lucky Charms breakfast cereal, asparagus, cheese, burgers, cupcakes and bacon, just to name a few. It was a fun challenge to think of menu options that incorporated Jason's favorite flavors, and I think the birthday boy was pleased with how it all turned out.  Happy birthday to you, Jason . . . and many more!

Menu:
Candied bacon
Cheese platter
Asparagus tart
Pepper-jack sliders
Vanilla bean cupcakes
Sugar cereal marshmallow treats

Southern Comfort + Coca-Cola = Jason's cocktail of choice.

A cheese platter including white cheddar, Manchego, a local blue with truffled honey and Brie.  Peppery salami and crisp sesame seed crackers served as accompaniments.  

Brown sugar caramelized bacon with a hint of cayenne pepper.  The perfect bar snack.  Who could resist candied bacon?    

An asparagus and Gruyere tart on a puff pastry crust.  Easy, quick, rich and delicious.  I used this recipe.

Beef sliders with pepper-jack cheese, a favorite of Jason's.  I added some caramelized onions, paprika aioli and arugula for added flavor.

Vanilla bean cupcakes.  Buttery, rich and sweet.  A birthday party staple.

Cereal and marshmallow treats made with Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch and Rice Krispies cereals.  Childlike, sugar-packed and completely irresistible.   

The man of the hour.