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    Graduation Party Menu Ideas

    By | Shine Food – Fri, May 28, 2010 5:30 PM EDT

    Graduation parties should be about celebrating the graduate and catching up with friends and family, not about high-maintenance food. We've pulled together a few of our favorite easy, do-ahead recipes that work well for a crowd. Here's a sampling, but find the full menu here.

    Grilled Beef Tenderloin
    A beef tenderloin just naturally says party. It's impressive to serve, and our simply seasoned version requires very little preparation or maintenance during cooking. A few slices of this rich-tasting meat can be enjoyed hot off the grill, at room temperature, or even cold. Try it any way you want, but be sure to pass our two fabulous sauces - Horseradish Salsa and Creamy Lemon - to serve with it.
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    Grilled Chicken Breasts
    It's easy to grill chicken breasts a day or two ahead. Serve cold or at room temperature with one or all of our three complementary sauces: Peach Salsa, Walnut Sauce, and Parsley-Caper Sauce. If you prefer not to grill, we've included easy oven-poaching directions as well.
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    Artichoke and Mint Dip
    It takes just 10 minutes to prepare this refreshing summer dip. Serve it with toasted baguettes and vegetables.
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    Orzo Salad with Grape Tomatoes, Feta, and Mint
    The classic Greek flavors of feta cheese, fresh mint, and olives give a tangy personality to this delicious pasta salad.
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    Chunky Vegetable Bulgur Salad
    This healthy party side dish is composed of lightly sautéed vegetables and bulgur wheat, a Middle Eastern grain that's high in fiber and protein, and low in fat and calories.
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    Old-Fashioned Chocolate Layer Cake
    Complete your graduation party menu with this tender triple-layer cake flavored with cocoa and frosted with an indulgent butter cream.
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    What are your favorite do-ahead party recipes?


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    Reprinted with permission of Hearst Communications, Inc.

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    FEATURED RECIPE

    • Blackberry Cornmeal Cake
      Blackberry Cornmeal Cake
      Blackberry Cornmeal Cake

      You can substitute an equal amount of fresh blueberries for the blackberries; be sure to rinse and dry them thoroughly before scattering over the batter.

      Yellow cornmeal produces a dessert that has a rich, golden color, but you could use white cornmeal instead.