Grad Party Planning! Opinions/suggestions Welcomed!

[mg2ride]

I have rented a large beach house and I'm throwing a College Graduation party for my 21 y/o. It is being thrown as an open house (10:00 to 10:00) and since it also falls on Mother's day I honestly have no clue how many people I will be feeding. At least 25 maybe as many as 50. I have been meaning to outline a menu so I'm using this thread to get me motivated.

My plan to have a decent variety of entrees and I will spend the entire day in an apron, on the deck grilling and frying! The house includes a large gas grill with a burner and I'm taking 3 counter top fryers and a free standing gas burner. The three fryers will be item dedicated. 1 for seafood, 1 for meat and 1 for non meat

Any comments, thoughts suggestions welcome. I really need help with side dishes. I'm an entrée kind of guy.


My initial thoughts for entrees are:
Wings/fingers - Fried (no breading for wings) and tossed in sauce of choice. BBQ, Buffalo, garlic/Parm

Fajita's - Steak, chicken and or Fish - with fixings

Fried/Blackened/grilled Seafood - I have a hookup* for fresh, shucked oysters but I don't know that the timing will work. Otherwise I plan to purchase whatever quality fish/shrimp is at a good price. I'm hoping Mahi and/or striped Bass.
*This same hookup MIGHT be able to provide me with soft shell crabs. However, he is not predicting a large crop this year. While I love my son, I won't be sharing soft shells unless I can get a boatload!

Maybe some egg rolls, lumpia and/or pot stickers. Hopefully buy them uncooked and cook as requested

Of course I will be able to offer grilled or blackened steak and/or chicken

Sides: I Need good, SIMPLE recipes for all of these
Potato Salad (will probably buy)
Deviled eggs
Baked beans
Cole slaw
French Fries and other fried vegies (need help here as well)

Desert: Keeping it very simple
Very high quality Ice Cream (Schwanns) with our favorite Girl scout cookies to blend in
I think my mom is making a cake

Non alcoholic beverages:
Ice Tea and an assortment of can/bottle stuff

Alcohol: (none of us or even my son's friends are big drinkers)
Red and white wine (I'm clueless in this regard so a good friend is bringing a mixed case for me)
Beer - couple of cases of cheap American light beer and a small variety micro brew type stuff. Shock top has been requested
Vodka and OJ
Tequila and mixer for margaritas
Maybe some Rum

My general prep plan:
Party is Sunday, Graduation is Saturday and I have Friday and Monday off.
If it is not rented I can tour the house Friday to see what is there to help with cooking and what I need to bring (good knifes, cast iron, etc.)
I'm buying all the perishables (in excess) on Friday. Whatever does not get used will get bagged and frozen Monday.
Prep will be mostly Friday. My niece will take possession of the house for me Saturday and start bringing stuff over.
Saturday night the house is set aside for just my son and his friends but I suspect me and my wife will be there for a while.
I'll start cooking as needed early Sunday and cook as needed all day.
I will start drinking late Sunday afternoon and pass out somewhere late Sunday night
Clean up as we go with major clean up Monday. I will stock the house with leftovers etc. for the rest of the week.

[Too Tall]

Flip the switch. Setup a couple Webbers, a cooler full of pre-made hamburger and turkey burger patties (I have a terrific recipe) mounds of slaw, chips and bottle beer, loud music. Sit back and watch the new adults do what they do.

[Noteddy]

I'm with TT. Celebrate with your kid and your guests. Figure out some solid make-aheads like bowls full of hummus and stuff to dip in it - veggies, bread, naan, etc. I make huge amounts of pasta salad for things like this with rotini, cherry tomatoes, blanched asparagus (this time of year), scallions, half a dozen other veggies and fist fulls of fresh basil with a balsamic vinaigrette. (Great for the vegan/vegetarians). Of which there are going to be several in any group. Holds up well if you don't dress it till about an hour before service.

After six kids, I speak from experience. Hand the grill over to the kids, pop the top and be present. They will be just as happy.

[EDS]

stylishspoon.com

You are welcome.

[jdp211]

If you're looking for a good/different slaw recipe, this one is always a hit. But I agree with the previous sentiments, unless you're dead set on cooking yourself. If you're planning on cooking solo day of, its probably best to limit yourself to make aheads, like slaw/salad, and one type of cookery, probably the grill.

[Too Tall]

Oh he!! here is the Turkey Burger mix:
1. Ground turkey thigh meat
2. Raw egg(s) as needed *approx. 1 egg to 3 lbs of meat
3. Very well crumbled salted saltines. *approx 1/2 sleeve to 3 lbs meat
4. GENEROUS amts. of very good quality mexican oregano.
5. Ground Pepper.

This kills.

[AJPM44]

Enjoy the party. Get two pork butts, braise them and make pulled pork. Make a vegetarian chili. Grill some kielbasa. Keep it as easy as possible. Pasta salad and cole slaw can be made ahead or assembled at the last minute to keep it crunchy.

[Too Tall]

Enjoy the party. Get two pork butts, braise them and make pulled pork. Make a vegetarian chili. Grill some kielbasa. Keep it as easy as possible. Pasta salad and cole slaw can be made ahead or assembled at the last minute to keep it crunchy.

I like how you roll.

[mg2ride]

I don't plan on cooking all day because I feel I have too. Hell, with this crowd we are going to have a blast even if I just order pizza and fried chicken.

I'm very much looking forward to wearing an apron all day and have been looking for an excuse to throw a bash like this for a while.

The seafood selection is coming together. Just got a commitment for 2 quarts freshly shucked oysters and 10 lbs of freshly caught Striped Bass!

[Too Tall]

I don't plan on cooking all day because I feel I have too. Hell, with this crowd we are going to have a blast even if I just order pizza and fried chicken.

I'm very much looking forward to wearing an apron all day and have been looking for an excuse to throw a bash like this for a while.

The seafood selection is coming together. Just got a commitment for 2 quarts freshly shucked oysters and 10 lbs of freshly caught Striped Bass!

"Striped Bass" AKA Rockfish. Oh yes, one of my favorite things to broil very plain and make upscale fish tacos with. Well done man.

[Toddykins]

Oh he!! here is the Turkey Burger mix:
1. Ground turkey thigh meat
2. Raw egg(s) as needed *approx. 1 egg to 3 lbs of meat
3. Very well crumbled salted saltines. *approx 1/2 sleeve to 3 lbs meat
4. GENEROUS amts. of very good quality mexican oregano.
5. Ground Pepper.

This kills.

TT - Instead of straight egg, try this with sriracha aioli to bind (egg yolk, teaspoon Dijon, spritz of lemon, salt/pepper, sriracha, oil)

[rwsaunders]

A lot of beer distributors around here carry small mini-kegs of cream soda, root beer and microbrews...kids go ape over the cream soda and an ice cold microbrew on tap...yum. Like you have suggested, high quality burgers, dogs and skewered shrimp on the grille make it simple and you can have fresh fruit plates and "make your own burger" ingredients out for all to enjoy. The weather around here can be iffy in May, so I've rented a tent for larger outdoor events in the past, as it's good for rain and serves as a sun shield. It keeps the food and spilled glasses of whatever off of your floors too.