Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer’s simple entertaining season.
Country Living Magazine – Photography by John Kernick
Whether it’s a bountiful gathering of friends for a summer soiree, a floral garden party, or an evening under the stars built for two, the ultimate party goal is an easy, stylish, enjoyable, delicious, and relaxing time.
Photo by Silvia Mara on Unsplash
Guests usually take the party lead from the attitude of the host and/or hostess which sets the tone for a comfortable let the good times roll atmosphere.
Who remembers when the crudité tray ruled the appetizer course?
Natural Wood Square Tray by Ashland
Summer simple appetizers such as small bites and nibbles make the perfect edible complement to a cold beverage.
Natural wooden trays and crates packed tight with fresh seasonal veggies accent the natural goodness of summer style.
Paintable Wooden Tray with Handles
Simply add chic ’tis the season plates to serve summer bites upon.
Paper-
Summer Red Strawberry Paper Plates
Melamine-
Mikasa Set of 4 Green and White Melamine Plates
Bee & Hive Melamine Dinner Plate
Iron folding tables in super cute summer colors and patterns come in mighty handy on the patio or porch.
Summer Iron Outdoor Folding Table
Set a vase of fresh seasonal flowers on a tabletop and invite the scents of the season to the party.
Better Homes & Gardens – Photography by Erica George Dines
Summer Blue Glass Texture Frosted Vase
Saw this on social media, and does it ever apply to summer days and nights.
TIKI Large Table Top Studded Glass Oil Lamp
Entertaining well doesn’t mean entertaining extravagantly (not that there’s anything wrong with that), but it is summertime and easy rules the outdoor living way of summer life.
“Cooking well doesn’t mean cooking fancy.”
—Julia Child
Warm Brie with Raspberry Pepper Jelly Recipe
Good barbecue is what we call summer stock.
Dressed up with gourmet fixing or plain and simple, summer and the classic hamburger reign summer supreme.
Doris Day’s German Potato Salad
Ingredients
6 medium-sized potatoes
1 large stalk of celery, chopped in small pieces
3-4 scallions (white part only), thinly sliced
4 slices lean bacon, cut in small strips
2/3 cup water
½ cup cider (or wine) vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
Cook potatoes in their skins until tender. Cool slightly, peel and slice into a large bowl. Add celery and scallions. Fry bacon in saucepan until crisp. Add water and vinegar. Pour over potato-celery-scallion mixture, toss lightly.
Cover and marinate thoroughly (several hours or overnight) before serving.
Serves 4.
Tropical fruit salad is keep it summer simple easy with a side of pretty presentation, and that’s what counts.
Tropical Fruit Salad
Ingredients
2 cans tropical fruit, drained
1 can pear halves, drained
1 pint blueberries
juice of one(1) lemon
1 small container plain Greek yogurt
2 Tablespoons honey
Directions
In a mixing bowl, toss together canned fruit with juice of one lemon. Cover and chill 1 hour.
Add honey to Greek yogurt and you’ve got the dressing.
Kick off the summer sippin’ season with a cool beverage featuring fresh summer perfect fruit.
Sparkling Spiked Peach Lemonade
Ingredients
1 cup sugar
1 cup of water
3 large peaches
6 cups sparkling water
1 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice
1 ½ cup vodka
Directions
In a small pot, combine the sugar and 1 cup of water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, and simmer until the sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and cool completely.
Remove the skins from 2 of the peaches, reserving the third. Cut an “X” in the bottom of each one, and place them in a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds. Transfer the peaches to an ice bath, and peel when cool enough to handle. Slice each peeled peach in half and remove the pits. Cut peaches into cubes, place them in the blender or food processor, and puree until liquified.
In a large pitcher, combine the pureed peaches, the cooled simple syrup, the sparkling water, the lemon juice and the vodka. Stir to combine. Add ice and stir again.
Cut the remaining peach into thin slices. Stir a few of the slices into the lemonade and use the others to garnish the glasses.
Serves 4.
Rainbow Waffle Sandwiches Recipe
Who’s ready for summer’s simple entertaining season?
Enjoy this Memorial Day weekend, practice the entertaining rule of KISS by keeping it summer simple, and bon appétit.
