Poppa’s 100th Birthday Lunch Party

My dear friend’s Ben and Dee had a party for Ben’s father Poppa who turned 100 and I was so happy to help put the lunch together for their family and friends.  They wanted to keep it simple so we came up with a hearty salad of grilled chicken with mango, red peppers, cilantro, red onions and a vinaigrette with orange and crystallized ginger.  I grilled asparagus and made some flavored butters to go with the meal.  For drinks, I made a mixed summer berry water and a citrus and fresh mint water with tons of ice which were so pretty and refreshing on the hot summer day.  Dee picked hydrangeas and dahlias from her garden and that’s what we used to decorate the buffet and dining tables.  It was a very special day to celebrate a very special man.  Click here for the menu, time line and grocery list….

Mango and Grilled Chicken Salad with Orange-Ginger Vinaigrette

Mixed Summer Berry Ice Water

Fresh Citrus and Mint Ice Water