Make-ahead recipes for graduation reception
I am hosting an open house graduation reception at my house in the early afternoon and my mom and I are catering most of the food. If you have any creative make-ahead recipes that would work well for the setting, I appreciate any and all suggestions!
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19 Comments:
My first thought was a 'cold spread' of fancy breads, cold cuts, pasta/rice/couscous and marinated vegetables salads, fruit salad, bread bowls filled with various dips and hummus. Since the weather is warm and I assume since it is an open house you don't want to be barbecuing the whole time or worrying about the temperatures of things, I would think that would be easiest.
For dessert, I would think cupcakes,brownies, and cookies. I have been to some functions that also gave out chocolate lollypop favors with party-appropriate slogans like the graduation year in your case.
HeartofGlass at 7:21AM on 05/14/09
My mom makes a layered salad in a trifle bowl for all our holidays. From the bottom up, layer 1 bag fresh spinach, 1 large can drained peas, diced boiled eggs (not sure how many), one 16 oz. container sour cream mixed with 1 package ranch dressing, and 1 bag shredded cheddar cheese. Top with 1 package cooked, crumbled bacon, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
We make an extra every Christmas for my cousin because he can finish the family's dish himself - it's yummy! And, it makes great leftovers.
dharmon at 7:48AM on 05/14/09
My twin daughters are graduating from high school and my son is having his 21st birthday all on the same weekend. We have friends and relatives coming from all over. Since we live in the south, I'm going with a lot of southern-themed foods. I'm gong to have barbecued ribs and boiled crawfish catered. To that I will be adding cheese grits casserole, black-eyed pea salad, ambrosia, and probably a few other cold dishes. Also, 2 kinds of cupcakes - red velvet and coconut. We will have plenty of Lazy Magnolia beer, cokes, and bourbon on hand.
Knitter at 11:23AM on 05/14/09
Any sort of gazpacho would be easy to make ahead. If soup is too tricky to serve at a grad party, I'd stick with pasta or bean-based salads (white beans, garbanzos, and black beans all make bases for filling, colorful, cheap salads). For dessert, a favorite of mine is making cookie dough the night before, preheating the oven while the guests are arriving, and popping them in when the crowd looks hungry. In less than 15 minutes you have warm, gooey cookies and a delicious smell throughout the house without having to slave in the kitchen during the whole party!
rdrnr44 at 12:13PM on 05/14/09
when I have a big group coming over I like to make ahead a selection of canape toppings, dry out a few sliced-up loaves of french bread, and then put guests in charge of helping replenish, which they always think is fun (go figure!). I do a disposable pastry bag each of: white bean spread (beans, garlic, lemon, s&p, cumin, evoo), minted pea spread (peas, mint, lemon, parm, s&p, evoo), and ginger goat cheese (goat cheese, cream cheese, garlic, grated ginger, S&P, evoo). then I do a bowl each of tomato bruschetta topping, chicken salad, and a caponata. If splurging I also do bresaola wrapped around arugula and goat cheese. All of these items taste better when everything is made a day in advance, which is perfect when you want to enjoy the party, not work it.
gillian at 2:47PM on 05/14/09
I have a delicious roasted shrimp and orzo salad that is best eaten the next day. It is easy to do and everyones seems to love it.
serves 6 - 8 as a main
2 pounds shrimp pe4eled and deviened ( i have used 1 pound at it is fine)
1 pound asparagas sliced into bite size pieces
1 large red onion sliced
salt and pepper
1/2 c. EVOO
1 jar Trader Joe's julienned sun dried tomatoes
1 pound orzo
zest of 1 lemon
1/2 c. sliced basil
1/3 c. italian parsley chopped
1 c. mozzarella chopped into bite size pieces
Heat the oven to 400
Mix the shrimp, asparagas and onions in a bowl with the S. & P. and olive oil. Toss gently, then layout on a cookie sheet with a silpat and roast shrimp 10 minutes. Remove the shrimp and continue to roast the asparagas and onions until done.
In the mean time fill a large pot with water and cook the orzo according to directions. Drain and pour into large bowl. Whisk to gether 1/2 c. olive oil. lemon juice and lest. Pour over the hot pasta and mix well. Mix in the sundried tomatoes, basil, parsley, add in the shrimp, mozzarell and vegies, toss and enjoy.
1/2 c. lemon juice
DELICIOUS at 3:13PM on 05/14/09
we just had a mid afternoon graduation barbeque. in addition to the pulled pork and beef brisket, we made the following dishes:
--roasted eggplant/red pepper dip
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-eggplant-spread-recipe/index.html
--french onion dip
--potato salad with vinegar based dressing
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/french-style-grilled-potato-salad-recipe/index.html
--couscous and lentil salad
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mediterranean-Couscous-and-Lentil-Salad-13106
--shrimp/asparagus pesto pasta salad
--strawberry 'trifles' in mini clear plastic cups
cervisiam at 3:45PM on 05/14/09
Having done the same thing about six years ago, I definitely recommend doing as much ahead of time as you can. Sandwiches are always popular and some can be made ahead. Try chicken salad or ham salad with fresh (split) croissants on the side. Some finger/tea sandwiches can even be completely made in advance. You could also marinate and grill a variety of vegetables (zucchini, red onions, mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, etc.) and serve as either a side dish, or with slices of crusty Italian bread for a vegetarian sandwich. I also recommend a variety of salads. Greek salad, Caprese salad, Mexican corn & bean salads, or good ol' American potato salad always go over well, and can sit out for some time. Put out a couple platters of fresh fruit, or a fruit salad, and an assortment of quality chips & dips, and you've got a nice, rounded-out meal. Dessert should be small and portable - homemade cookies, brownies, bars, cupcakes, candies, etc.
kimberlymac at 3:58PM on 05/14/09
Pulled pork, BBQ beef, brats and italian sausages (grilled ahead and kept warm in slow cookers or nesco style roasters with buns all work well. Add some fruit platters and salads (pasta, veggie, potato, coucous, etc.) and some bar cookies to round out the menu.
Taco bars are fun too and the toppings are easily restocked. Make a ground beef, shredded port meat fillings and refried beans or black beans and keep warm in slow cookers. Corn on the cob, roasted on the grill in their husks are good. Add a corn/bean salad, maybe a rice salad, some tortilla chips, some fruits, cookies, chips, and you're ready.
CJ McD at 4:47PM on 05/14/09
Ina Garten's recipe for Penne With Five Cheeses from Barefoot Contessa Family Style is super easy to make in advance:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_32177,00.html
Ina also has a great recipe for Chicken With Tabbouleh from Barefoot Contessa Parties!:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_28775,00.html
Lasagna is always good, and the Green Lasagna recipe from the first Silver Palate Cookbook is a delicious take on a make ahead favorite:
http://www.feedmethat.com/recipe.php?id=28364.htm
So is Martha Stewart's Baked Mushroom Linguine:
http://www.marthastewart.com/page.jhtml;jsessionid=JAGOJ3J15IC5NWCKUUXCJBWYJKSS0JO0?type=content&id=recipe2425&page=&dp=false&layout=Print&styleType=learn
Emeril's Andouille & Chicken Jambalaya is another great make ahead:
http://www.emerils.com/recipe/2854/Andouille-and-Chicken-Jambalaya
Martha Stewart's Cheddar Biscuits that you can make in advance and pop in the oven area a good match with Jambalaya:
http://www.foodnetwork.com/food/recipes/recipe/0,1977,FOOD_9936_28775,00.html
MMinNYC at 5:05PM on 05/14/09
Hi cervesian, do you have a recipe for the shrimp/asparagus pesto pasta salad? Do you make your pesto fresh? Love all the ingredients here!
dixiesue at 5:59PM on 05/14/09
I make this easy, relatively healthy appetizer, and it usually gets gobbled up quickly!
Caprese Skewer Appetizer
Skewer on toothpicks: half of a grape tomato, piece of fresh mozzarella cheese, torn piece of basil, and other half of grape tomato. After you have your skewers done, drizzle some good olive oil, a tiny bit of balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper over them. You can definitely make a day ahead and store in the fridge.
lizparks4 at 9:16PM on 05/14/09
I did my younger brothers grad party last year, and keeping in mind the advice of 'men don't like dips and salads' that he gave me, I made some good stuff ahead of time that everyone liked, here's a couple ideas:
Antipasto Pasta Salad from here: http://tinyurl.com/cxht4r
A couple big pressed sandwiches with different fillings
Bacon wrapped smokies (too good. they will disappear, you can put them in a crock pot with the lid off after you bake them to keep warm)
cares951 at 9:25AM on 05/15/09
Here is a whole list of menu ideas and recipes for a graduation party. You can certainly make your mini quiches and baked ziti ahead of time, along with most of the desserts!
Hillary
Chew on That
Chew on That at 11:03AM on 05/15/09
Calico beans are always a hit for parties in my neck of the woods. We keep in a crock pot on low and these can definately be made ahead.
6 slices of bacon, diced
1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, diced
1 c. ketchup
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 tsp ground mustard
2 cans pork n beans
1 can red kidney beans
1 can butter beans
In a large dutch oven, medium high heat, cook bacon until crisp and remove from pan. Drain on paper towel.
Add onions and cook till soft and then add ground beef. Cook until no pink exists on meat.
Add pork and beans, kidney beans, butter beans and mix together. Add ketchup, brown sugar, dry mustard and mix together.
Add bacon back to pot.
Cook until beans are heated through about 15-20 minutes on medium heat.
Transfer to a crock pot on low or serve!
I've had friends use this as a hot dog topping as well - great for Memorial Day!
megalo08 at 12:01PM on 05/15/09
Grill flap meat and chicken breasts for carne asada and chicken tacos; grill corn and flour tortillas for the tacos. Have condiments out, make some killer guac, and side dishes. We threw corn on the cob on the grill with chili, lime butter as well. Some homemade sangria, is festive as well and can be decorated with seasonal fresh fruit.
We did this for my daughter's graduation; afternoon open house reception and everyone had a great relaxed time, and the food was awesome.
peuporcin at 12:48PM on 05/15/09
Wow, all these suggestions sound wonderful! Thank you so much for the input!
lamac at 1:54PM on 05/17/09
Meatballs! Make mini-meatballs, freeze them until needed. Defrost and keep warm in a crock pot, with enough tomato sauce to cover them.
My mom is currently in the process of making 15lbs of meatballs for various family graduation parties- they're always requested.
FoodStuffs at 2:41PM on 05/17/09
I'm throwing my parents a birthday party and I am planning an appetizer-style spread as I don't have enough room for everyone to sit down and eat, and this is what I have so far:
pulled pork
meatballs in a crock pot (still have to determine the sauce)
hot dips such as buffalo chicken wing dip, corn dip (with halapenos)
cold dips such as a bread bowl with dill dip, cut up veggies
tortilla roll-ups (can be filled, rolled and cut a day ahead)
bumpducks at 3:59PM on 05/18/09