Menu ideas for husband's MBA graduation party?!
Menu ideas for husband's MBA graduation party?
I am hosting a party for my husband's graduation at our condo clubhouse. We cannot use grills in accordance to the decs and by-laws so looking for ideas/tips for menus.
Answers:
If you are having your party in the clubhouse, it sounds like prep and cleanup need to be as easy as possible and a sit down, served meal is not optimal. Here are my favorite "mingling party" food options:
Sandwich buffet:
An assortment of cold cuts and cheeses with rolls or breads (use either squirt condiments or put them in small bowls for easier access) Serve with chips, potato salad, assorted fruit or veggies.
Bar-b-cue
Get the meat from a bar-b-cue restaurant or a tub of prepared chopped or shredded meat from the grocery. Heat it on the stove or in the oven and keep it hot in the crock pot on low. Serve with buns, baked beans, cole slaw and deviled eggs.
Mexican Fiesta
Taco and burrito Bar
prepared taco shells (lightly toast to improve flavor and texture)
Flour tortillas
set out bowls of ingredients:
Ground beef/shredded chicken seasoned with taco seasoning
chopped tomato
shredded lettuce
chopped onion
picante sauce
sour cream
shredded cheese
Refried or black beans
Lay prepared tamales in a baking dish (or foil disposable pan) with their sauce and heat in oven
cheese dip, guacamole, salsa and chips
Black bean salsa:
2 cans black beans, drained
1 can whole kernal corn (white if available)
1 chopped onion
1 chopped bell pepper
3 chopped tomatoes (or 1 can chopped with mexican spices like ro-tel don't drain)
if using fresh tomatoes, 1 very finely chopped jalapeno pepper, discard seeds
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
mix everything together and refrigerate (overnight for best flavor)
You can get inexpensive serving dishes at a dollar store, save the easily cleaned ones and toss the gunky ones for easy clean up. For anything that needs to be kept cold, get 2 bowls (or platters) and put ice in one, and set the food on top in the other.
In addition to your sandwiches, you might want to have some other "finger food".
Pinwheels:
Flour Tortillas, spread*, deli sliced cold cuts and cheese
*spread- sandwich spread, herbed cream cheese, honey mustard (what ever you like)
Make a very thin layer of spread on the tortilla, cover with a thin layer of meat and cheese and roll tortilla into a log. Wrap with plastic and freeze 30 minutes to 1 hour. remove plastic and slice in 1/4 inch slices (discard uneven ends)
Faked homemade baked beans
2 large cans Bush's baked beans
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
1 Tbsp butter or oil
Saute onion and bell pepper in butter or oil until soft, stir into heated beans.
Desserts:
Decorated cake
Chocolate fountain with assorted fruit, angel food or sponge cake, or prepared mini cream puffs
Be sure to set your serving areas up in different parts of the room to avoid congestion and encourage "flow"...food in 1 or 2 areas, drinks in another, desserts in another
Congrats to your hubby and happy Party!!!
steak salad bean bread sweet tea
Lasagna always works for small areas it's filling and everyone takes a slice with some salad and fresh bread, it'll be easy.
You can get your favorite recipe at www.foodtv.com
See if you are allowed to use Warmers/Crock pots/electric fondue and electric Woks - these can make for a great party. Set up the warming station with precooked finger foods or make a build it yourself taco/burrito bar this can be fish/shrimp/chicken and beef fun and tasty! With crock pots you can do soups/chili's/roasts/casserole... etc, electric Wok can be used for stir fry/ pasta/ steam table etc - with all the electric appliances available you can really have fun. Of course there is always the George Foreman grill or catering from a local Chinese/Mexican or Italian place depending on your preference. The most important thing is to set up a budget and see what foods you can afford along with beverages and decorations - have a theme like a final Frat Party or a Luau so it is easier to plan. Good Luck!