Graduation Party Treats Guide

Article archived: July 2010

Ahh, spring — the season of celebration! School's out and graduation ceremonies abound. The season presents plenty of other reasons to celebrate, too — from prom to dance recitals to bridal showers. Show off your culinary skills with some of the season's hottest eats — our Graduation Party Treats Guide makes summer entertaining effortless.

Cold summer salads
Grill greats
Sweet endings

Cold summer salads

Great Northern beans, kidney beans and black beans add a triple protein punch to this Zesty Three-Bean Salad. Bright pepper bits add vitamins — and low-fat Italian dressing topping makes the treat guilt-free.
Combine the simple goodness of fresh potatoes with fresh-from-the-garden summer staples like carrots and cucumbers, and you'll get Garden-Fresh Potato Salad, a treat sure to delight guests.
Seaside meets turf, as the days of summer heat up. King Crab and Potato Salad makes a meaty side or main dish, and is brightened nicely by sprightly basil and spirited Dijon mustard accents.
Whole-wheat rotini teams up with good-for-you ingredients like yogurt and olive oil in this fresh Garden Pasta Salad. Decadent kalamata olives add depth of flavor.
Vibrant color and pleasing crunch make this Creamy Italian Pasta Salad a summer-fresh sensation. Broccoli, carrots and pepper provide a triple dose of vitamins.
Make your potato salad the Mediterranean way using this easy olive-oil-and-lemon recipe. Lebanese Potato Salad lends a bright and zesty flavor to your summer party.
Basil and feta add savory kick to this Easy Tuscan Pasta Salad, a rustic, hearty celebration favorite.

Grill greats

Cool cucumber and smooth yogurt form the base for this Grecian Chicken Sandwich. Tuck the filling in white or whole-wheat pitas for a delightful party surprise.
Fajita seasoning plays up the hearty flavors of tender pork loin, while red, green and yellow bell peppers add color accents. Southwestern Kabobs bring finger-food fun to your grill.
Add a jalapeno kick to a mild fish like grouper (or tilapia if you prefer). Then, serve up these Grilled Fish Tacos to guests and make your party an event to remember.
Make Grilled Whole Trout with Lemon-Tarragon Bean Salad and you'll be amazed by the tender, mild fish. The trout skin holds in moisture as the fish grills and the steaming side-dish cooks right alongside the main course.
Add big flavor to your party with this Sizzlin' Chipotle Cheddar Burger. Tangy and bold, the chipotle sauce highlights the texture of the meat.
This Cool, Fresh Corn Relish shows off the flavors of summer. This simple topping suits grilled meat or fish.

Sweet endings

Softly sweet and light-as-air, this Creamy Hawaiian Fruit Salad combines sour cream, flake coconut and mini marshmallows for an unexpected flavor surprise.
Make your own fruit tray for a crowd with this easy Poppyseed Fruit Salad recipe. Guests will love to dip and dunk strawberries, grapes, star fruit, and melon into the dressing.
During the long, hot days of summer, you want a hassle-free dessert solution. Enter the no-bake Layered Cookie Cream Cake. It combines four pudding flavors for a sweet sensation and requires only overnight refrigeration as prep.
Sweet seasonal strawberries and cool, creamy lemon curd create a wonderfully refreshing change of pace in the Strawberry Lemon Graham Cracker Tart. The rich and buttery graham crust lends a honey kick.
Simple cupcakes get a visual boost when topped with graham-cracker mortarboard "hats." Play up the theme of your graduation party with these adorable Graduation Cup-Caps.