The Graduation Party It's that time of year..and that special time in someone's life. A goal has been achieved and it's time to celebrate! I'll strive to present one menu that will be appropriate to the college, high school or elementary school grads...keeping in mind that adults will be present also. Let the party commence!
Table Setting- Menu
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Table SettingThe color scheme to use for this occasion would be the colors of your grad's cap and gown. Our colors here are black and white. I'll be using a white table cloth, black plates and utensils and white napkins. For favors, I'm going to print up the menu on my computer. The heading will say "Class of '09". Underneath will be the graduate's name and date, with the menu. I will then roll these up and tie off with a red ribbon, in diploma fashion. They can be placed on a silver platter at the door, to be given to your guests as they arrive..or at the end of your buffet table. The eating utensils will also be rolled in large napkins and tied off like diplomas.
For our centerpiece, you'll want oak tag or construction paper that matches your grad's cap. Also, a tassle. These can be obtained at a fabric or notions counter. I have black oak tag which I have cut into a diamond shape, the size of a mortarboard. I place the tassle underneath the mortar board, on the table, so that it extends beyond the corner. I'm going to cut more oak tag to form a cylinder that will enclose a medium size pickle jar. Make sure that the pickle jar can be easily dropped into the cylinder. You don't want the jar to be too tall, but you do want a wide mouth. Place the cylinder in the center of the diamond cut oak tag piece. Fill the jar with water and lower into the cylinder. Fill the jar with fresh cut flowers and baby's breath. I'll be using white flowers to go with my color scheme. So now the center of your table will have a graduation cap filled with flowers! This will be flanked on both sides with white candles, set in black candle holders.
Menu
Assorted Cold Cut Platter- Marinated Chicken*
- Eileen's Potato Salad*
- Broccoli Salad*
- Greek Pasta Salad*
- Assorted breads & rolls
- Sheet Cake
- *recipe to follow
For the chicken, I assume two pieces per person. I use thighs and breasts with rib, that I cut into quarters for this dish. Although low in fat, this dish is high in sodium. My brother affectionately calls it "Blood Pressure Chicken". So if you are watching your sodium intake, you can modify this recipe, by using lower-sodium ingredients.Marinated Chickenchicken thighs & breasts (skinless)- 2 c. dry red wine
- 3/4 c. teryaki sauce
- 1 c. sukyaki sauce
- 1 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/2 tsp. rosemary
- 2 cloves of garlic grated
Combine all ingredients and pour over chicken in a deep pan and let marinate over night, turning occasionally. This chicken can be cooked in the oven or on the grill. If cooking on the grill, make sure you only do a few pieces at a time, as the alchohol will tend to flame up and make it difficult to control. You don't want to burn the chicken. Otherwise, cook in the oven, at 375 degrees for about 45 minutes, by placing chicken on rack in a pan. Baste occasionally with the marinade. This dish works well either hot from the oven, or at room temperature.Eileen's Potato Salad- 5 lbs. Red Bliss Potatoes (quartered, boiled and cooled)
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 1 medium jar Hellman's Mayo
- celery salt to taste
- dill weed to taste
Cut potatoes on the chunky side as opposed to slices. Add onion, mayo, and remaining spices. The celery salt takes the place of regular salt. The secret to the success of this potato salad is the Hellman's Mayonnaise. If you use anything else...it won't be as good!Broccoli Salad- 2 bags of frozen broccoli florets cooked and cooled
- 3/4 c. extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon
- garlic salt
Season olive oil with lemon and garlic to taste. Pour over broccoli and chill. Serve on a platter garnished with lemon slices.Greek Pasta Salad- 2 lb. of bow tie macaroni cooked
- 5 fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 1 basket of cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small can pitted black olives, halved
- 1 medium red onion, diced
- 4 oz. Feta cheese
- 1 c. extra virgin olive oil
- juice of one fresh lemon
- garlic salt
The dressing for this salad is the same as for our broccoli salad. Prepare the dressing as directed above. Combine and toss the first 4 ingredients with the dressing. Crumble feta cheese over the pasta mixture and toss well again.
Dare to be different with your sheet cake! Break from the traditional white and go chocolate! Devils food cake with chocolate icing, and a vanilla custard filling can be a surprisingly big hit. Your trim and congratulatory message, can be in pink, yellow, or white. This type of cake is also much more desirable in the warm weather over cream cakes.Congratulations to all you grads out there...and have a wonderful time at your parties!
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