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Smile for the Camera Themed Graduation Party

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By Mindy Kobrin
Staff Writer
 
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 Smile for the Camera Themed Graduation Party 
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 Smile Graduates

 
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This year, reminisce over old photos and capture new Kodak moments with a photo-themed graduation party.

Graduates can enjoy their achievements while indulging in a cap and gown-worthy brunch in their honor. Plan a cap-n-gown brunch buffet with doughnuts in your school colors, fresh fruit platters, a decadent sundae bar and more!

Read on for great graduation party food ideas.



Food and Recipes
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Potato and Boursin Frittata
Easy and afforable dish.
Ingredients
  • 8 large eggs  

  • 1/4 Teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 Teaspoon black pepper

  • 1/4 Cup olive oil

  • 2 cups frozen shredded hash brown potatoes (from a 16-

  • 1 bunch scallions, chopped (2 cups )

  • 1 (5- Oz ) package Boursin garlic-herb cheese, chilled

  • Accompaniment: sliced smoked salmon or prosciutto  

Steps
  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 375F.

  • Whisk together eggs, salt, and pepper until just combined.

  • Heat oil in an ovenproof 9- to 10-inch heavy, nonstick skillet over high heat until very hot, but not smoking.

  • Add potatoes and scallions to oil, stirring once, then cover and cook until beginning to brown, about 4 minutes.

  • Stir potato mixture once, then cover and cook 3 minutes more.

  • Pour beaten eggs evenly over potato mixture and crumble cheese over eggs.

  • Transfer skillet to oven and bake frittata, uncovered, until set and just cooked through, about 15 minutes.

  • Invert a plate over skillet and, holding them together with oven mitts, invert frittata onto plate and serve immediately. Serves 4.



Leek and Asparagus Frittata
Leek, asparagus and shitake mushrooms added with fontina cheese make this a 5-star dish.
Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter

  • 1 Cup chopped leeks (white and pale green parts only)

  • 1 12- ounce bunch thin asparagus, trimmed, cut on diagonal into 1-inch pieces (about 2 1/2

  • 1 Cup sliced stemmed shiitake mushrooms

  • 8 large omega-3 eggs  

  • 1 Cup diced Fontina cheese, divided

  • 1/2 Teaspoon salt

  • 1/2 Teaspoon ground black pepper

  • 1/4 Cup grated Parmesan cheese

Steps
  • Preheat broiler.

  • Melt butter in heavy broiler-proof 10-inch-diameter nonstick skillet over medium heat.

  • Add leeks and saute; 4 minutes.

  • Add asparagus and shiitake mushrooms, sprinkle lightly with salt, and sauté until tender, about 6 minutes.

  • Whisk eggs, 3/4 cup Fontina cheese, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in medium bowl. Add egg mixture to skillet; fold gently to combine.

  • Cook until almost set.

  • Sprinkle remaining 1/4 cup Fontina cheese and Parmesan cheese over.

  • Broil until frittata is puffed and cheese begins to turn golden, about 3 minutes.

  • Cut into wedges and serve. Serves 4.



Graduation Cupcakes
Vanilla cupcakes that are a great base for more creative and decorative fun on top!
Ingredients
  • 1 1/2 cups self-rising flour

  • 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

  • 1 Cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

  • 2 cups sugar

  • 4 large eggs, at room temperature  

  • 1 Cup milk

  • 1 Teaspoon vanilla extract

Steps
  • Preheat oven to 350F.

  • Line 2 (1/2 cup-12 capacity) muffin tins with cupcake papers.

  • In a small bowl, combine the flours. Set aside.

  • In a large bowl, on the medium speed of an electric mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar gradually and beat until fluffy, about 3 minutes.

  • Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

  • Add the dry ingredients in 3 parts, alternating with the milk and vanilla. With each addition, beat until the ingredients are incorporated but do not over beat.

  • Using a rubber spatula, scrape down the batter in the bowl to make sure the ingredients are well blended.

  • Carefully spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling them about 3/4 full.

  • Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of the cupcake comes out clean.

  • Cool the cupcakes in tins for 15 minutes.

  • Remove from the tins and cool completely on a wire rack before icing



Graduation Cupcakes Frosting
Sour cream is the secret ingredient to this yummy frosting...your guests will be dazzled.
Ingredients
  • 10 oz. bittersweet chocolate, chopped

  • 1 lb. unsalted butter, at room temp

  • 1 lb. 8 oz. powdered sugar  

  • 1/8 tsp. salt

  • 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

  • 1/2 Cup sour cream

Steps
  • Melt and cool chocolate (until just slightly warm).

  • Beat butter until light and fluffy.

  • With mixer on low speed, gradually add powdered sugar.

  • Add salt, vanilla and sour cream and mix until very smooth.

  • Add chocolate and mix until just incorporated.

  • Don't over-whip and add too much air into the frosting. The consistency should be rich and dense, like ice cream!

  • Spread atop cupcakes and serve.


Tags: IcingFrosing

 
Drinks
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Diploma-Worthy Sangria
Wine sweetened with fruits and made bubbly with soda, is fine drink for any celebration.
Ingredients
  • Apple juice (for ice cubes)  

  • 1 1/4 cups (10

  • 1 small bunch fresh mint  

  • 1/2 Cup (3 1/2

  • 3 cinnamon sticks  

  • 3 1/4 cups (26

  • 2 medium peaches, peeled, pitted and sliced  

  • 2 small pears, cut into chunks  

  • 2 medium oranges, sliced crosswise  

  • 2 small lemons, sliced crosswise  

  • 3 cups (24

  • Mint leaves, to garnish (optional)  

Steps
  • To make the apple juice ice cubes, pour the apple juice into two ice trays and freeze until the sangria is ready to serve.

  • Combine the water, mint leaves, sugar, and cinnamon in a small saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.

  • Reduce the heat and simmer for several minutes.

  • Remove from the heat and allow to cool. Once the mixture has cooled to room temperature, remove and discard the mint and cinnamon sticks.

  • Transfer the remaining mixture to a large serving bowl.

  • Add the wine, peaches, pears, and the orange and lemon slices to the serving bowl. Mix well, and refrigerate overnight.

  • Immediately before serving, mix in the sparkling apple cider and the apple juice ice cubes.

  • Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.



 
Tips
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Music for a Graduation Party
A DJ would be sure to liven up any graduation celebration! To keep

costs low, consider hosting the party with several other families.

Otherwise, prep an iPod with graduation-themed songs:

1. "Time of Your Life" by Green Day
2. "Forever Young" by Rod Stewart
3. "So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday" by Boys II Men
4. "Graduation" by Vitamin C
5. "Here's to the Night" by Eve 6
6. "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson
7. "I Feel Home" by Of a Revolution (O.A.R.)

Check out our guide to graduation songs and quotes for more ideas!



 
Decorations
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Graduation Party Idea: Interactive Photo Album
More Graduation Ideas
 More Graduation Ideas
Eat Up For a Grad Party
Place a large photo album or two on a decorated table. Add double-sided tape and plenty of pens near the book. Allow your guests to tape in their instant photos and write in a wish for the honorees. It's like creating a yearbook for this one special moment.



Guests will be thrilled to share their favorite stories from their years in school together and the grads will have a keepsake to last a lifetime.



    Easy Graduation Party Photo Decor
    Select one or a few favorite pictures of your graduate and have them blown up as posters. Consult your local photo shop.



    Set up a photo set with a backdrop of the graduate's school logos, pennants, bumper stickers and jerseys.



    Don't just decorate the inside of your house! Deck the yard with balloons, school flags, wind spinners and graduation banners.



    Turning graduation caps upside down and filling them with flowers or balloons adds flair and makes for a great centerpiece.



    Use graduation themed tableware in your grad's high school or college colors.



    Have fun with Photofetti, confetti made from your personal photos. Sprinkle on your dining tables, guest book table, gift table, or anywhere else your guests will be hanging out.



     
    Say Cheese Themed Graduation Party Activities
    Make memories with this fun activity everyone will get in a snap.
    Steps
    • Hand out old-fashioned Polaroid Cameras cameras for instant gratification.

    • Or, go all out by renting a classic photo booth to help your guests create lasting memories.



     

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