Introduction
Welcome, graduates and guests, to our celebratory graduation party! This special occasion calls for a memorable menu filled with delicious food and refreshing drinks to mark this significant milestone. From festive appetizers to hearty main courses and celebratory desserts, this menu is designed to delight everyone in attendance. So, let’s raise a toast to the graduates and enjoy a night of good food and great company!
Appetizers: Festive Starters
- Cap and Gown Caprese Skewers
- Ingredients: Cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, fresh basil leaves, balsamic glaze, wooden skewers.
- Instructions: Skewer a cherry tomato, a mozzarella ball, and a basil leaf onto each skewer. Arrange on a platter and drizzle with balsamic glaze. Serve chilled.
- Honour Roll Hummus and Veggie Platter
- Ingredients: 2 cups hummus (store-bought or homemade), assorted fresh vegetables (carrots, cucumber, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes), pita chips.
- Instructions: Arrange hummus in a bowl and place on a large platter. Surround with an assortment of fresh vegetables and pita chips.
Main Courses: Hearty Entrees
- Graduate’s Grilled Chicken Sliders
- Ingredients: 12 slider buns, 3 boneless chicken breasts, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper to taste, 1/4 cup BBQ sauce, 1 cup coleslaw mix, 1/4 cup mayonnaise.
- Instructions: Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with olive oil, salt, and pepper. Grill until cooked through, about 5-7 minutes per side. Let cool slightly and slice into slider-sized pieces. Mix coleslaw with mayonnaise. Assemble sliders with chicken, BBQ sauce, and coleslaw.
- Diploma Pasta Salad
- Ingredients: 1 lb pasta (penne or rotini), 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes (halved), 1/2 cup black olives (sliced), 1/2 cup bell peppers (diced), 1/4 cup red onion (chopped), 1/4 cup feta cheese (crumbled), 1/4 cup Italian dressing, fresh basil for garnish.
- Instructions: Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain, and rinse with cold water. In a large bowl, combine pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, bell peppers, red onion, and feta cheese. Toss with Italian dressing and garnish with fresh basil.
Sides: Delightful Accompaniments
- Summa Cum Laude Sweet Potato Fries
- Ingredients: 4 large sweet potatoes (cut into fries), 2 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp paprika, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste.
- Instructions: Preheat oven to 425°F. Toss sweet potato fries with olive oil, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 25-30 minutes until crispy, turning halfway through.
- Valedictorian Veggie Spring Rolls
- Ingredients: 1 package rice paper wrappers, 1 cup lettuce (shredded), 1 cup carrots (julienned), 1 cup cucumber (julienned), 1 cup red bell pepper (julienned), fresh mint leaves, fresh cilantro, peanut sauce or hoisin sauce for dipping.
- Instructions: Soak rice paper wrappers in warm water until pliable. Place a small amount of lettuce, carrots, cucumber, bell pepper, mint, and cilantro in the centre of each wrapper. Roll up tightly and slice in half. Serve with peanut sauce or hoisin sauce for dipping.
Desserts: Sweet Celebrations
- Diploma Roll Cakes
- Ingredients: 1 box cake mix (any flavour), 1 cup frosting (any flavour), 1 cup whipped cream, assorted sprinkles.
- Instructions: Bake cake mix according to package instructions in a large, rimmed baking sheet. Once cool, spread the frosting evenly over the cake. Roll the cake tightly into a log and slice into rounds. Top each roll with whipped cream and sprinkles.
- Graduation Cap Cupcakes
- Ingredients: 1 box chocolate cake mix (plus ingredients needed for mix), 1 cup frosting, square chocolate pieces (like Ghirardelli squares), mini peanut butter cups, liquorice strips (cut into tassels), small candies (for top of caps).
- Instructions: Bake cupcakes according to package instructions and let cool. Frost each cupcake. Place a peanut butter cup upside down on each cupcake, top with a chocolate square, and attach a liquorice strip and candy to resemble a graduation cap.
Drinks: Refreshing Beverages
- Class of 2023 Citrus Punch
- Ingredients: 4 cups orange juice, 2 cups pineapple juice, 1 cup cranberry juice, 1 cup soda water, orange slices and fresh mint for garnish.
- Instructions: In a large pitcher, combine orange juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice. Stir well and add soda water just before serving. Serve over ice and garnish with orange slices and fresh mint.
- Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Lemonade
- Ingredients: 4 cups sparkling water, 1 cup lemonade concentrate, 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice, lemon slices for garnish, ice.
- Instructions: In a pitcher, combine sparkling water, lemonade concentrate, and lemon juice. Stir well. Serve over ice and garnish with lemon slices.
- Toast to Success (Alcoholic Option)
- Ingredients: 1 bottle champagne or sparkling wine, 1/2 cup peach schnapps, peach slices for garnish.
- Instructions: In a large pitcher, combine champagne and peach schnapps. Serve in champagne flutes and garnish with peach slices.
Conclusion
This graduation party menu offers a delightful array of dishes and drinks that will leave your guests impressed and satisfied. From the festive appetizers to the sweet celebrations, each recipe is designed to make your evening memorable. Celebrate the achievements of the graduates with great food, refreshing drinks, and wonderful company!
FAQs
Can I prepare these dishes in advance? Yes, many of these items can be prepared ahead of time, allowing you to focus on hosting during the party.
What non-alcoholic drinks can I serve? In addition to the Non-Alcoholic Sparkling Lemonade, you can offer a variety of non-alcoholic drinks like iced tea, fruit-infused water, or a non-alcoholic punch to keep all guests refreshed and happy.
How can I cater to dietary restrictions with this menu? Offer a variety of dishes, including vegetarian options like Cap and Gown Caprese Skewers and Valedictorian Veggie Spring Rolls. Clearly label any potential allergens.
What's the best way to serve the food at a graduation party? Buffet-style serving works well for a graduation party, allowing guests to mingle and serve themselves from a beautifully presented spread.
How can I make the party more interactive with the food and drinks? To make the party more interactive, consider setting up a DIY cupcake decorating station or a photo booth with graduation-themed props to keep everyone entertained.
