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I am having a graduation party

What should I serve? I love the way I eat (as a vegetarian) but I don't know about everyone else?

for my graduation party last year we splurged on veggie burgers and dogs, made a couple tubs of chip dip (toffutti sour cream + 1 packet onion soup mix) and chips, had fresh veggies with homemade vegan ranch (recipes on vegweb), homemade salsa and potato salad (recipe on the nayonaise jar).  it was an absolute hit and out of the 30-40 people there, only 3 refused to eat anything, and their wives and husbands called them out on it because they just LOVED the food.  I got so many compliments about how everything tasted just like the "real thing" and how everything was so good.  i also just loved having the traditional cook out meal that i haven't been able to eat for years, it was perfect!  dad was grilling up the burgers, hanging out on the deck, aw... memories.  : )

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Serve omni food that is already vegan or made vegan style.  Easy converts are:  potato salad, pasta salad, chips, salsa, and guac. Since you're veg and not vegan, how 'bout some "gourmet" pizzas.  The kinds with blobs of pesto and higher end cheeses, like feta, instead of everything sprinkled all about.  If you add onion, pepper, diced portabella, and bbq sauce they will seem more meaty.  I used to make pizza on Trader Joe's flat bread.  It's veg (I think), but not vegan.  They are small, so you could make a lot of varieties.  There's also meatless tacos.  Use partially mashed black beans instead of meat.  I'm a big fan of kalamata olives, so I'd be remiss if I didn't suggset a Greek salad.  For the sweet side, cobbler or wacky cake is good.

Who's attending the party?  If they liked lots of flavors, explore middle eastern and Indian food.

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First you need to give us details about the party itself.  Where is it going to be held? (Country, City, climate info.)  How many people are coming and who? Friends, family, neighbors, 5 or 50?  How long do you have to prepare for this event? Is it happening Saturday or in June?  What kind of party do you want this to be? Formal with nice clothes and china plates or informal with kids running around the back yard with the dog?  What is the venue? 

What types of food do you like?  Standard American fare with burgers and mac & cheese?  Italian food? Mexican?  Latin? Indian? Japanese?  These kinds of details are important to know since we cannot read your mind or sit down with you to brainstorm.

Also do you want to have the entire party veggie?  Or are you willing to let Aunt Myrtle bring her fabulous casserole featuring ground cow and tater tots?  (No offense intended Aunt Myrtle! Honest!)  What is your level of cooking skill?  Are you a super genius chef or still learning a few things?

Think of those answers or please feel free to let us know! 

My suggestions are going to be what I would serve at a graduation party for my daughter. 

Mexican inspired foods with sauted veggies with lime and chilis, two or three different types of beans, rice, fixings for tacos, burritos, salad, nachos and maybe even some chili relenos!  Loaded tables full of sour supreme, guacamole, chips, salsa, tortillas and ice cold limeade.  I think a bunch of Lime cupcakes would probably go over well, and possibly some chocolate ones too.

For a more formal sit down type I might just make chickpea cutlets, loads of roasted herb potatoes and roasted veggies.  Two or three types of gravies for people to choose from would be a nice touch as well as a green salad.  Mushroom gravy, VWAV Punk Rock Gravy but mash those chick peas otherwise it looks very unappetizing, and maybe just a veggie broth reduction with a hint of rosemary or thyme. 

Fun backyard type would be grill-tastic!  Try everything from homemade bean burgers, to seitan ribz to tempeh slices to tofu kabobs.  Toss on marinated veggie slices like zucchini, eggplant, yellow crookneck squash, mushrooms, and bell peppers.  Serve those over a pile of garlic sauted spinach and kale.  Once the veggies and proteins are done grill some pineapple rings and peach halves.  Serve it with an awesome caramel sauce and vanilla ice cream.  You could also make salads like potato or macaroni a few days before the event to round out the menu.

If its just you and friends go with loads of finger foods for fun.  Mini burgers made with beans and vital wheat gluten and baked ahead of time.  Spring rolls and summer rolls with dipping sauces.  Small burritos full of rice and beans or veggies and beans or beans and cheese.  Stuffed mushrooms, potato skins, chips & veggies and dips, fruit skewers and of course mini cupcakes.

What you choose to serve at a party has a huge effect on the atmosphere.  You would be confused to see something like a big messy mix of burgers and fries at a fabulous sit down event.  So think on what kind of tone you want and then work from there. 

Congratulations!

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