With graduation season right around the corner, party ideas begin to swarm parents’ heads as they rack their brain for the perfect grad party. Here are two simple yet tasty recipes to create the mood for a banging party. All recipes taken from allrecipes.com.

Recipe 1: Garden Pasta Salad

Honestly, what’s an outdoor party without a tasty pasta dish? This scrumptious salad incorporates veggies and carbs, making it healthy and delicious!

Ingredients:

• 1 (16 ounce) package uncooked tri-color spiral pasta

• 1/2 cup thinly sliced carrots

• 2 stalks celery, chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper

• 1/2 cup cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced

• 2 large tomatoes, diced

• 1/4 cup chopped onion

• 2 (16 ounce) bottles Italian-style salad dressing

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Cook pasta in large pot of boiling water until al dente. Rinse under cold water, and drain.

2. Mix chopped carrots, celery, cucumber, green pepper, tomatoes, and onion together in large bowl.

3. Combine cooled pasta and vegetables together in large bowl. Pour Italian dressing over mixture, add Parmesan cheese and mix well.

4. Chill for one hour before serving.

Recipe 2: Malian Ginger Juice

Drinks are served, African style!

Ingredients:

• 1/3 pound fresh unpeeled ginger root, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

• 1 1/2 cups water, or as needed to cover

• 4 large lemons, juiced

• 1 cup white sugar

• 7 cups water, or as needed

• 16 leaves fresh mint, crushed

Directions:

1. Place ginger into a blender, cover with 1 1/2 cup water, and blend until ginger is thick and pasty. Strain and squeeze juice from ginger pulp into a 2-quart pitcher, squeezing ginger mixture as dry as possible.

2. Stir lemon juice and sugar into ginger juice until sugar has dissolved. Pour 7 cups water into mixture, stir to combine, and serve garnished with crushed mint leaves.