Big Birthday Bashes and family dinner

It was Gavin's 42nd birthday. I had invited both our families over for dinner. What on earth was I to make for 15 people, including 5 kids under the age of 6?
My first thought was BBQ. Always easy and Delicious but that ideas was vetoed by the birthday guy himself-why you ask? Well as it was also a Shabbat dinner BBQ just wasn't going to cut it. So off to slave over a hot stove it was for me.
My first dish is always a family favourite and also a never fail recipe (although sometimes these turn out better than others)

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

1.5 cups of gingerale (I normally use diet)
1 cup of ketchup
1 package of ground meat (can use beef, chicken, turkey or a combination of all)
matza meal or breadcrumbs
1 egg
garlic powder
chili powder
basil
oregano

To make sauce place ginergale and ketchup in a large pot over med-low heat, simmer.
in the meantime, put meat, crumbs, spices and egg in a bowl, mix well.
Make small balls out of the meat and drop into sauce mixture. Cook for about an hour. (I simmer mine for up to 2 hours if I can)

Serve over The Perfect Rice

My next dish was Baked Fried Chicken

8 Chicken breasts cut in half (butterflied)**

panko crumbs

Parmesan cheese

paprika
garlic powder
melted butter
honey mustard

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a foil lined baking sheet. Place chicken breasts on baking sheet. Rub all sides with butter and mustard.
In a seperate bowl, mix cheese, panko, and spices. Dip chicken into crumb mixture and place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for about 10-12 minutes-until chicken is cooked through. Do not overbake. 

** to butterfly chicken breasts, I cut them when they are still almost completely frozen. This is much easier than trying to cut fresh chicken-I also do this when cutting/cubing chicken for stir fry.  

The Grand Finale....CAKE- by Superstore. I don't bake birthday cakes. I can bake, and I do it well but this decorating thing is definitely NOT for me!