| Article taken from Momma Explains | | | | - As far as beverages, you will need alcoholic and |
| Momma received a question from a family | | | | non alcoholic. Try water, ice tea and lemonade or |
| member who is having a high school graduation | | | | soda if you wish for the non-alcoholic. |
| party soon. | | | | - Alcoholic beverages can be more challenging. A |
| " What do I serve, how do I plan this menu since | | | | punch made with orange juice, sherbet and |
| it is an open house and what wine should I buy? | | | | prosecco (An Italian sparkling type wine that can |
| Am I expected to have a party that serves the | | | | be far more reasonably priced than champagne) |
| best?" | | | | makes an Italian version of the mimosa and is |
| Momma Explains: First, your party responsibility is | | | | awesome over ice. Wine is my beverage of |
| not that you need to have a party that serves | | | | choice, always, so I really want you to pay |
| the BEST but a party that serves the GUEST ! | | | | attention. If you do not know what wine to buy |
| 1. Look at your attendees, most graduation | | | | DO NOT just walk into the grocery store and |
| parties really run a wide range of ages. You want | | | | grab some bottles. You need to go to a wine |
| the 2 year old and the 92 year old to be | | | | store and ask the personnel, " What are your |
| comfortable and well fed. You should plan a menu | | | | highest rated wines at bargain prices?" There are |
| that can be placed on warming trays, sterno units | | | | several wine rating magazines etc. that have |
| or electric roasters. The food needs to be kept | | | | smart buys and bargain buys and the wine stores |
| moist and appetizing over a fairly long period of | | | | should have a few. Keep your wine choice simple. |
| time. Momma suggests some of her favorite | | | | This is not a dinner party, try a medium bodied |
| large party menu ideas. I always make too much | | | | red such as Panarroz Jumilla Red and a simple |
| food, otherwise I could not send all my relatives | | | | white such as Cantus Sauvignon Blanc. These are |
| home with goodies. Some people give out party | | | | inexpensive wines that give great value. However, |
| favors, Momma sends you home with snackings! | | | | your best resource is your wine merchant and of |
| Menu Ideas | | | | course your own taste preferences. |
| - Italian meatballs in red sauce or gravy as my | | | | - I will normally have a recipe along with a wine |
| South Philly guys call it. | | | | suggestion but for this post I will only include my |
| - Sausage and onions with fried red and green | | | | antipasto recipe, if you need other recipes for my |
| peppers | | | | recommendations go to the Food Network site |
| - A crock pot of hot dogs..don't laugh ..remember | | | | and get the recipes from the Italian chefs, or use |
| the 2 year old and the 92 year old, both can eat | | | | a reliable Italian cookbook or site. When you cook |
| that. Having it in a steaming water bath is perfect. | | | | an ethnic cuisine, use that ethnic source. Thinking |
| Loads of toppings make a hot dog bar and the | | | | you can go outside for those recipes has resulted |
| teenagers can be as creative as they wish. Get | | | | in aberrations such as cottage cheese being used |
| several bags of hot dog rolls. | | | | in place of ricotta which for Momma is |
| - Platters of Italian antipasto or just an American | | | | gastronomical torture. MOMMA'S ANTIPASTO. |
| cold meat and cheese platter* note *-You should | | | | I buy good quality meats at the best prices. |
| make up several small platters and take them out | | | | Check your local paper for their specials. |
| periodically as they are diminished. Have small rolls | | | | Place cleaned Romaine lettuce leaves on a tray. |
| available for finger sandwiches. | | | | Follow with layers of hard and Genoa salamis, |
| - Trays of easy finger fruit such as strawberries | | | | sopressato, capicola, prosciutti, mozzarella, |
| and red and green grapes. Just rinse and spread | | | | provolone (use the sliced version for this if you |
| out over a platter. | | | | wish), peel and quarter hard boiled eggs then add |
| - A large green salad with a simple dressing. | | | | mixed olives, roasted peppers drizzled in extra |
| Leave extra pre-washed lettuce in bags in the | | | | virgin olive oil, pepperoncini peppers, and artichoke |
| refrigerator and extra dressing available too. Just | | | | hearts. I also place out some good dipping olive oil |
| refill the salad bowl as needed. | | | | and crusty bread slices. There are guests who |
| - A pasta dish such as extra cheesy baked ziti or | | | | make their entire meal out of my antipasto, but |
| tortellini Alfredo. Both can sit for awhile without | | | | who cares, I want my guests to eat what they |
| totally offending al dente sensibilities. | | | | like. Now, normally I would have a Chianti or nice |
| - Desserts should be easy to pick up such as | | | | Sicilian wine with this but they can be a bit pricier, |
| small brownies and cookies. You can always have | | | | although there has been a string of great Italian |
| a graduation cake as well. | | | | wines at great prices lately. ( Sipavola Rosso Di |
| - A huge box of squeeze ice pops...remember the | | | | Sicilia 2006 or Salice Salentino La Corte 2006 as |
| two year old, remember the teenagers..they like | | | | pictured above) But if you can't find ones in your |
| them and make wonderful ice packs when the | | | | general budget, maybe you keep a few bottles |
| two year old takes a spill while mom and dad are | | | | on the side for your "special" guests. |
| trying to gulp down food or drink. | | | | |