Hosting dinner parties is always fun. Honestly, who can say no to spending an evening enjoying delicious food and swapping stories with friends? I may be a little biased but I think that summer dinner parties are the best. There is something about this specific season that makes everyone want to come together and have a great time. Here are my three secrets (shh…don’t tell anyone) for throwing a memorable summer dinner party.
The Focus While it`s always good to have staple foods such as various salads and chicken or meat based dishes, why not prepare something more exotic such as shrimp cooked in white wine and seasoned with fresh herbs? Whether you want to experiment with seafood, pasta, or anything else, with so many recipe books and cooking blogs out there to use as a reference the options are practically endless. Plus, having an exotic dish on the table will most likely earn you some “cool points” for going outside of the box and trying something new.
Make “Summer” Part of the Party When I think of summer I always think of berries, watermelon, fresh flowers, and lots of pretty colors. So, why not incorporate what the season offers you into the presentation? Obviously, having yummy foods and drinks is important, but the overall look of the dinner table or eating area can make or break the party. Personally, I find berries to be very beautiful; therefore, a simple vase or a wine glass filled with berries can become a lovely decoration.
Go Green Did Santa bring you that blender or juicer that you desperately wanted? And is it now tucked into the darkest corner of the kitchen, only making an occasional appearance when you get on a health kick? I confess, I`m guilty of that too. However, a summer dinner party might be the best time to get those appliances out of the shadows and surprise your guests with a blended soup, fresh juice or a refreshing (and all-natural) dessert. I really like serving non-dairy banana ice-cream that is to die for and requires a total of three things – a blender, frozen bananas, and water. There is no need for super fancy blenders; the cheapest one will do just fine. Cut up and freeze bananas overnight, then put the bananas in the blender and add some water to make it easier for the blender to do its thing. You will end up with a cold banana pure that has the consistency of ice-cream. Sprinkle on some cocoa powder for the chocolate lovers and you are good to go.
And most importantly, don’t worry about being perfect and enjoy yourself. Happy hosting!
