Graduation Parties

It is May...which means graduation time. A wide variety of academia are ending their courses earning grades reflective of their efforts and comprehension of subject matter. If you passed the class, most aspiring assets to civilization are congratulated with a graduation party.

I have a sister in Michigan who lives for parties. She is throwing her 5th grader, soon to be 6th grader, a doozy of a party. Recently, the family enjoyed a ten day trip to Jamaica. They had their hair braided, the kids sipped virgin daiquiris, deep sea fished, played in the waves, i.e., your typical ocean vacation to Jamaica. The kids had such a fun time that her son wished Jamaica as his graduation party theme.

Corinne, my sister, ordered destination tickets for the invitations. Below are a couple of sites to order such ticket invites:
http://www.party411.com/custom-ticket-invitations.html
http://www.weddinginvitationdesigner.com/airline-ticket-invitation.html
And this one is clever for admission tickets, i.e., movies-gala events-etc.
http://www.invitationconsultants.com/gallery.aspx?p_subcategory=admissionticketinvitation

Remember...your party's tone is set with the invitation; make it a good one!!! A little thought and creativity equates to a fabulous turn out!


Since this is an elementary school graduation party, there will young children abound. Bright colors, happy music, festive foods, cool drinks, and plenty of games to play and keep all entertained.

With the Jamaica theme, bright colors are easy to execute. Let's say 100 children are invited. We will need 13 round tops that seat 8. The Jamaican colors are green, black, and gold. Alternate your tables in Black and Green table cloths and allow gold, black, and green balloons weighted down for centerpieces. Utilizing 2 8' buffet tables with either black or green table cloths for buffet. Add an additional 8' buffet table with matching table cloth for bar (soda, water, punch).

The Buffet:



Red Stripe Chicken
Multiply this recipe by 20.
INGREDIENTS :

1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 pounds chicken
2 cups canned coconut milk/cream
1 cup Red Stripe beer
1 Large onion (chopped)
1 large green bell pepper
Salt and pepper

METHOD:

1. Cut the chicken into serving pieces
2. De-seed green bell pepper and chop onion
3. Heat vegetable oil in Dutch pot
4. Brown the chicken in oil (both sides)
5. Remove the chicken
6. Pour off some of the oil.
7. Leave 2 tablespoons of oil in pot
8. Return the chicken to pot
9. Add the coconut milk and red strip beer
10. Once ingredients begin to boil,reduce to heat to a simmer
11. Cook for 30 minutes
12. Add onion and bell pepper
13. Add salt and pepper to taste
14. Let simmer for 15-20 minutes as the liquid reduces and thickens.
15. If the liquid evaporates before the chicken is done replenish more Red Stripe beer.
16. Serve while hot

Hamburgers
8 to 10 lbs hamburger
4 pkgs of 8 hamburger buns
3 pkgs of american cheese
Only because, not everyone is going to dig the special Jamaican fare.


Cabbage Salad
Multiply this recipe by 10
INGREDIENTS :

1 Green cabbage
4 medium Carrot
6 Stalks Celery
1 Cucumber
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Vinegar
1/2 Cup Oil
1 Cup boiling water

METHOD:

1. Slice cabbage into thin strips
2. Slice carrot into thin slices
3. Slice celery in to thin strips and cut at an angle
4. Slice cucumber into thin strips
5. Place all ingredients in to a container
6. Pour the boiling water in the container
7. Cover the container for 20 minutes
8. Drain the liquid
9. Serve at room temperature

Cornmeal Fritters
"Simple Jamaican Cooking with Winsome"
Multiply this recipe by 10
INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
Salt to taste
3 tablespoons sugar
1 egg, beaten
1 cup milk
2 tbsp margarine
Few drops vanilla
Oil for frying

METHOD:

1. Sieve salt, flour and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Add cornmeal and sugar.
3. Put in beaten egg, vanilla and milk by degrees, after rubbing the margarine into the flour mixture.
4. Beat until smooth.
5. Drop by spoonfuls in frying pan and fry in hot fat.
6. Drain on absorbent paper before serving.

Set out huge baskets of potato chips and pretzels.

Add a fruit salad and a potato or macaroni salad.

Lastly, the most coveted dessert in Jamaica:

Bread Pudding


Published Feb 28, 2009


Bread Pudding
Serves 6 to 8
Multiply this dish by 13

INGREDIENTS :

1 lb day-old white bread (preferable hardo bread)
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
1/4 cup rum
1/3 cup raisins
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
4 cups whole milk
5 eggs (beaten well)

METHOD:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease a 9-inch square baking dish with butter.
Line the baking dish with wax paper
Remove the crust from the bread
Break up the bread into small portions.
Combine the bread, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, rum, raisins, and melted butter in a mixing bowl.
Pour into the baking dish.
Mix the condensed milk, eggs and whole milk
Pour this over the bread mixture in the baking dish.
Place in oven
Bake for 1 1/4 hours. You can test if it is baked by inserting a small knife in the middle until it comes out clean.
Serve warm or cool.
Best served with Ice cream or whipped cream.

For entertainment, hire a calypso band or a dj who will bring Jamaican sounds.

You can offer a photo montage of your child behind the stage where the band or dj will be playing.

This with a positive attitude and hired hands to clean up and assist with incidentals, will make for a fantastic graduation party...

Jamaican Saying: Di fus wata hog pass him wash himself
'Make use of the opportunities that come your way first'

'Ya Man'