Grad party ideas
Planning a High School graduation party, and I need ideas for apps, dinner, and dessert for a foodie crowd. If it's easy or can be done ahead, that's best. Also, any suggestions for a bakery in Queens that can do a good (not overly sweet or gooey) cake?
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11 Comments:
I understand you want to provide food for foodies, but don't forget the grad. Be sure to ask him/her what they want included in the menu.
finsbigfan at 9:08AM on 06/05/09
what is the lucky grads favorite food? pick the favorite or a a theme. are they going off to college in a town where they are known for a certain food?
I think mexican is fun easy and delicious. i just went to a party where they had a make your own taco bar. it was yummy and fun to make the food the way you wanted. it was easy and clean to set up/break down. they served quesadillas, mini tacos and other hand held mexican treats for apps. margaritas for the adults. you can make them virgin for the kids.
jaf at 9:59AM on 06/05/09
I agree with Jaf a taco bar or a pasta bar (include pizzas) lol. Maybe a burger bar would be fun too.
pjracz10 at 12:25PM on 06/05/09
I just put on a grad party for my twin daughters. We live in the South so I treated our Yankee visitors to bbq ribs (catered), boiled crawfish (catered), potato salad (catered) and black eyed pea salad (homemade). Some friends brought dessert. I also had some southern - themed adult beverages including a local beer and sweet tea vodka.
Normally, I would have cooked all of the food for such an event,. It was VERY liberating to have so much of the menu taken care of by others. I had a great time, and wasn't exhausted and everyone loved the food.
Knitter at 12:35PM on 06/05/09
We had baklava, Indian food and sandwiches at my graduation party...9 years ago! Wow! I think you can do "foodie" stuff with appetizery things like tapas-style, while remaining on familiar territory. You can do fun things with deviled eggs, puff pastry, etc. I also always love dips, you can do a dip sampler like hummus, black bean, guacamole, cheese (needs to be kept warm), roasted red pepper, etc., with an assortment of crackers...which can also be set out with cheeses.
inothernews at 12:47PM on 06/05/09
Hats Off To The Grads Party
Chew on That at 1:05PM on 06/05/09
If it were me, I'd fire up the grill, and have a cooler full of steaks, burgers and hot dogs waiting to go. Let the young adults cook their own food. You could do home-made baked beans, coleslaw and potato salad to go with it. You'll be busy enough on the day, there's no reason to go to so much extra work.
Or, echoing what others have said, a fajita or taco bar. Lovely marinated and cooked meat, and the fixings to go with it. Make some fresh salsa and guacamole and have a bowl of good tortilla chips along side.
NotAmerican at 3:29PM on 06/05/09
I'll pipe in with some Queens bakery ideas. Artopolis on 31st St in Astoria makes unbelievable cakes---they did the wedding cake in My Big Fat Greek Wedding. Martha's Bakery (Ditmars Blvd in Astoria and another location in Forest Hills) makes great cupcakes, which might be nice for the high school crowd.
Congrats to the grad!
nosillak at 4:34PM on 06/05/09
I made some baked brie for my little brothers graduation. Buy a wheel of brie cheese. Shave the rind off the top and saute up some garlic, onions and sun dried tomatoes (soaked in hot water for 15 minutes) Add some balsamic vinegar, herbs and spices. Top the brie with this and bake at 300 until its done how you like it. I like mine super melty. Serve with some crunchy melba toast. Delicious!
sousvide at 4:44PM on 06/05/09
It's not really foodie, but if you want stuff that can be totally done before (and it will be hot) do a really fancy sandwich buffet--lots of fancy breads, cheeses, cold cuts, and so forth, so everyone can make their own sandwiches. Have lots of marinated salads, veggies, and so forth. Kind of like an antipasto thing. You can also have cold chickens and hams if that doesn't seem like enough. The adults would love fancy marinated mozzarella and such, and the kids can chow down on subs and cold fried chicken.
HeartofGlass at 5:22PM on 06/05/09
Joe's Sicilian Bakery in Bayside is great - 212-16 48th Ave, about a block or two from Bell Boulevard.
Some other ideas:
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
Ratatouille or Caponata are also great for sides or spreads, and prepared in advance
Have a great party!
MMinNYC at 7:12PM on 06/05/09