What to make for huge graduation party?

Question

We will be having a party in July of 75-100 people. I'm thinking of traditional grilled meats, burgers, brats,chicken. I'd like ideas for unique side dishes that will hold up in the heat for a couple of hours with ice trays underneath. Any other grilled meat ideas would be good too. Maybe ham? Also does anyone know if/where you can rent a restaurant style cooler? I am in Milw. WI
Thanks alot!

Answer 1

In that kind of heat and humidity, you really have to think about food safety, so don't get too fancy. Salads with vinegar & oil dressings are going to be safest. Also, you will want to give some thought to ways to keep the food covered (flies) but still allow easy access so people can serve themselves. Give some thought to things like 3 bean salad, and cooked tortellini with giardinia (sp?) vegetables in a vinegar and oil dressing.

Honestly, grilled food is going to be your best bet for ease of preparation and food safety.

Answer 2

Depends on if you want to spend the afternoon slaving over the grill. Our traditional graduation party fare was sloppy joes (can be made ahead and reheated in a Nesco roaster or crock pot) and brats (again grilled ahead and reheated in beer, butter and onions in a Nesco or crock pot.)

It also wouldn't be a graduation party without a big batch of Chex Party mix or Gardetto's snack mix. My aunt (who lives in a Milwaukee suburb) used to go to the Gardetto's outlet and get a ton of their snack mix for a really reasonable price. That was a number of years ago so don't know if they still do that.

Agree with the previous poster with regard to salads with oil-based dressings. Here are two that are quick to put together and tasty:
RAMEN NOODLE SALAD

1 pkg. chicken flavor ramen noodles
1 pkg. shredded cabbage
4-6 sliced green onions
1/2 c. toasted slivered almonds
1/4 c. toasted sesame seeds
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. cider vinegar
1/2 tsp. salt & pepper
Seasoning packet from noodles

Break Ramen noodles into bite-size pieces. Toss together with cabbage, green onions, mushrooms, almonds and sesame seeds. Blend vegetable oil with sugar, vinegar, salt, pepper and seasoning packet. Add to cabbage mixture and stir to coat evenly. Cover and chill.

Notes: Can substitute packaged coleslaw or broccoli slaw mix for the packaged cabbage or shred your own cabbage (cheapest option.) You can easily double the salad ingredients and still have enough dressing without doubling the dressing ingredients listed.

GARDEN MACARONI SALAD

16 oz. 3-color rotini pasta
1 c. thinly sliced carrots
1 c. broccoli florets
1 c. black olives, sliced
1 c. red pepper, chopped
1 c. green pepper, chopped
1 c. tomatoes, chopped
1 c. (8 oz.) bottled Italian dressing

Cook macaroni, drain and rinse with cold water. Add chopped vegetables and Italian dressing. Toss until well mixed. Chill before serving.

Notes: Another recipe that can be easily scaled. Also many options for addition of vegetables you like. I have made variations over the years that were mixtures of the ingredients above and the following: chick peas (garbanzo beans), cauliflower florets, diced provolone or mozzarella cheese, sliced pepperoni, diced zucchini. Basically add what ever vegetables you like and can easily find.

Answer 3

bakedbeans are always good with a couple different kinds of chips also a veggie tray with dip sides of pickels olives,pickeld beets, some people make deviled eggs some salads that go good are brocclii salad or mararoni and ham and cheese salad a big bowl of cut up fruit some desserts well good luck its so nice when its al over with, whew!!!

Answer 4

Well here's a recipe for Tropical Ham, since you mentioned it. You could easily reheat this on a grill.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/rushinrecipes/message/120

To go with that, I'd do a side dish of cinnamon smashed sweet potatoes.

Sounds like that will be fun!

Answer 5

Sloppy joes always worked for my parties.

If you look for rental places they might be able to help you with equipment for food servers.