A Touch of Taste: Graduation party ideas

Graduation and graduation parties – a busy time for the graduate, Mom and the entire family! A few years ago graduation parties were all on graduation night and we traveled from party to party enjoying a movable feast. Graduation parties are now sprinkled throughout the summer so if you are entertaining for your graduate be prepared, the crowd will stay the evening. The “Touch” offers some help for feeding the crowd. Any number of hors d’oeuvres may be served, however here are suggestions for some basics.

EVERYONE LOVES SLOPPY JOES -- FOR 250

Sloppy Joes, aka, Untidy Josephs. This recipe’s title claims to serve 250, however a group of teenagers will soon shorten the supply!

• • • •
Brown together:
• 50 pounds ground beef
• 10 large onions
• 10 large green peppers
• 10 cups celery

Add:
• 2 ½ cups packed brown sugar
• 2 ½ cups spicy brown mustard
• 10 cups ketchup
• 5 (12 oz.) cans tomato paste
• 10 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• 18 – 20 cups water
• 2 ½ cups vinegar
• 1 2/3 cups Worcestershire sauce

Mix and cook 3 – 4 hours. This will make 3
roaster ovens of 50 cups per roaster.
Tags: sandwiches, ground beef, sloppy joes

 

EVERYONE LOVES SLOPPY JOES -- FOR 50

Expecting 50 people at your party? Here is the same recipe cut down for 50.

Brown together:
• 10 pounds ground beef
• 2 large onions
• 2 large green peppers
• 2 cups celery

Add:
• ½ cup packed brown sugar
• ½ cup spicy brown mustard
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1 (12 oz.) can tomato paste
• 2 (15 oz.) cans tomato sauce
• 3 – 4 cups water
• 1/2cup vinegar
• 1/3 cup Worcestershire sauce
Mix and cook 3 hours. Tags: sandwiches, ground beef, sloppy joes

BUN STEADS

A sandwich, one you can make ahead helps the hostess at serving time. This sandwich can be made ahead; warm it up to serve hot. It’s so easy to serve.

• ½ pound American cheese, cubed
• 2 tablespoons chopped green pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped sweet pickles
• 3 hard boiled eggs, chopped
• 1 – 7 oz. can tuna, flaked
• 2 tablespoons chopped stuffed olives
• ½ cup salad dressing
• 8 Coney buns

Mix all ingredients and fill the buns. Wrap each filled bun in foil. When ready to serve, heat in a 250 degree oven for 30 minutes or until hot. Serves 8. Tags: sandwiches, tuna, eggs

CHOP SUEY VEGETABLE SALAD

A salad is always a nice compliment to sandwiches. This is one which is made the day before, helping out the hostess.

• ½ cup sugar
• 1 cup vinegar
• ¼ cup corn oil
• 1 cup water
• 1 – 16 oz. can French cut green beans
• 1 – 16 oz. can English peas
• 1 – 16 oz. can chop suey vegetables
• 1 medium onion cut into rings
• 1 – 4 oz. jar pimento, sliced
• Seasoned salt to taste

Bring to a boil sugar, vinegar, oil and water. Set aside to cool. Combine the drained vegetables. Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Seal in air tight container and refrigerate overnight. Serves 12. Tags: salad, Chinese, chop suey

PISTACHIO PUDDING SALAD

Easy to make, attractive to serve and very tasty.

• 2 packages Instant Pistachio Pudding–uncooked
• 1 cup crushed pineapple
• 1 can fruit cocktail undrained
• 1 large Cool Whip

Mix the pudding and fruit with juices together. Blend in the Cool Whip. Any other fruit may be added but they must be well drained. Tags: dessert, salad, pistachio

Enjoy the graduations and graduation celebrations. Congratulations to all the graduates in “Hometown Focus Country”!