SANDRA'S BIRTHDAY

So it wasn't actually her birthday but the Saturday a couple of days before, which is much better day for a small party.  We decided just to invite some friends over and I would make the food.  As there were slightly too many people to have a formal sit down meal we decided to have food that was simple to eat buffet style...with fingers if necessary!

We had about twenty guests, and the party went on till after midnight.  

The menu was not very long. 

 Vine leaves which I stuffed with rice, onion, pine nuts, raisins, dill and sumac.
Small quiches with smoked local ham and cheese made with smetana because there is no fresh cream here.                                                                 

Swedish style meatballs of beef and pork with cranberry sauce...no lingonberries here!

Vegetarian curry puffs with potato, onion, carrot and peas stuffing and mango chutney.   Falafel from dried chick peas, onion, parsley and cilantro.   Raw vegetables and tortilla chips with homous.

 Home made bread with butter.

Crispy spicy chicken wings with hot sauce.  Zucchini stuffed with a soft white cheese, a bit like feta and buckwheat, a bit unusual but OK.
We finished with halva and Turkish delight from Istanbul, and cookies that Marina had made and kindly brought along.

We had a very enjoyable evening, Sandra enjoyed her birthday and we are most appreciative of the friends that came and celebrated with us.