Joshua loved his 18th Birthday: beautiful decor and food! So happy! I’ve tried to make it special for him and he was very appreciative of my efforts!



Joshua’s 18th Birthday Menu
Appetizers
Smoked Salmon and eggs
Shrimp Tempura
Seafood Salad
Savory Puff Pastry Bites with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Savory Puff Pastry Pizza Bites
Main Dishes
Marinated Greek Lamb Chops with Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Pan-seared Garlic/White Shrimp and Scallops
Fresh Pasta
Dessert
European Cream Triple Berry Tart
Chocolate Carvel Icecream cake
Seasonal Fruit
Salmon with eggs, Shrimp Tempura

I often come up with recipes using the ingredients that I have on hand.

How to make Seafood Salad
- 14 ounces imitation crab meat
- few cooked shrimp sliced
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- 2 stalks celery (finely chopped)
- 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning or your favorite spices
- 1 teaspoon fresh dill or dill weed
- 1 sliced green onion
- salt/pepper to taste
Mix all of the ingredients. I like to serve this salad on the bed of mixed salad greens.
Savory Puff Pastry Bites with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
How to make Savory Puff Pastry Bites with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Again I’ve come up with this recipe since I had Puff Pastry on hand that I needed to use up and didn’t want to use it for the sweet recipe this time.
These Puff Pastry bites are Absolutely Delicious and so Easy to make!
I don’t have the exact amount for the ingredients needed but I think these step-by-step pictures will help you.
Ingredients:
- Puff Pastry
- Sauteed baby Portobello Mushrooms in Olive oil and Marsala wine
- Caramelized Onion
- Whipped Cream cheese
- Italian Cheese
- beaten egg for brushing
Roll out and slice Puff Pastry dough in desired portion bites. I’ve made 9 per one sheet of puff pastry.
You can fold them into any shape you’d like. This VIDEO will help you to create interesting shapes!
Directions:
- Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mats.
- Brush individual bites with a beaten egg or an egg wash.
- Add a dollop of cream cheese, mushrooms, onions, and cheese on top.
- Bake in the preheated to 400 degrees F oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway in between until crisp and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
Make sure the puff pastry is cold when it goes into the oven. If at any point it becomes soft, allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes or until it firms up again.
These puff pastry bites taste AMAZING!
Savory Puff Pastry Pizza Bites
Since my son wouldn’t touch anything with ONIONS or MUSHROOMS, lol, I’ve made Puff Pastry Pizza Bites for him! He loved them!
How to make Savory Puff Pastry Pizza Bites
Super simple as you can see!
Ingredients:
- Pizza sauce
- Italian cheese
- Bacon bites
- Italian Seasoning
- Beaten egg
As you can see I’ve decided to fold these differently into pockets and brushed them with beaten egg. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
- Bake in the preheated to 400 degrees F oven for 20-25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway in between until crisp and golden brown. Let cool slightly before serving.
You and your kids will Love these Pizza Bites!
Main Dishes

How to make Pan-seared Garlic/White Shrimp and Scallops
This is a super simple and amazingly delicious recipe that you can make in 20 minutes!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 2 pounds shrimp (or prawns), peeled and deveined
- 1 pound scallops
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 4 large garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 cup dry white wine or Marsala wine
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt if needed (adjust to taste)
- black pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
Directions:
- Heat olive oil and butter in a large pan over medium-high heat until hot.
- Add garlic and sauté until fragrant.
- Add the shrimp sauté for 1-2 minutes per side.
- Add scallops in a single layer without overcrowding the pan. I’ve used small scallops so they are ready in 3 minutes.
- Add wine and lemon juice. Bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes or until wine reduces by about half and the shrimp is cooked through. Don’t overcook your shrimp.
- Add a tablespoon of butter, lemon juice, paprika, pepper, and parsley.
- Serve over rice, pasta, or vegetables.


Tablescape
Since my son’s favorite colors are Blue and Black, I’ve tried to find the decor for his 18th birthday that will not look “childish”.
This set from Amazon was perfect!
You will find the links to the products used in my setup below in the recipe card.
Happy Birthday, Joshua!

Joshua's 18th Birthday
Tablescape and Recipes ideas!
Notes
Birthday Menu
Appetizers
Smoked Salmon and eggs
Shrimp Tempura
Seafood Salad
Savory Puff Pastry Bites with Caramelized Onions and Mushrooms
Savory Puff Pastry Pizza Bites
Main Dishes
Marinated Greek Lamb Chops with Mushrooms and Tomatoes
Home Fries
Pan-seared Garlic/White Shrimp and Scallops
Fresh Pasta
Dessert
European Cream Triple Berry Tart
Chocolate Carvel Icecream cake
Seasonal Fruit
Recommended Products
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- Corelle Chip Resistant Extra Large 11” Dinner Plate 6-piece set, Winter Frost White
- DOWAN Large Serving Platters, 16/14/12 Inches Oval Serving Platters, Oval Serving Plates Dinner Plates Serving Dishes, Ideal for Parties, Restaurant, Dessert Shop, Set of 3, White
- Topotdor Round Placemats Heat-Resistant Stain Resistant Anti-Skid Washable Polyproplene Table Mats Placemats (Set of 6, Braided-Gray)
- 18th Birthday Decorations for Boys and Girls Dark Blue, HAPPY BIRTHDAY Banner Sliver Number 18 Balloons, Deep Blue Theme Party for Him - 18 Years Old Birthday Party Supplies Kit for Her