A Guide to Summer Entertaining

Today we are sharing our curated guide to summer entertaining evoking all the delights and dalliances of an unforgettable summer.

^{This post has been sponsored by Mark T. Wendell. All opinions expressed are my own.}

It feels like summer hasn't quite yet started over here and I'm not sure if that's self-inflicting or if summers have changed. Perhaps it is a mixture of both. For many of us, our responsibilities keep us indoors, yet there is still that longing to run outside through the balmy air, drinking up that sweet elixir of summer that we used to get drunk off of as kids.

We hold onto that magic deep in our souls I believe, which is why no matter what, so many of us long for the summer season all year long. However, the magic seems to have gone and left somewhere between the fondness of yesteryear to now (maybe it's just me). I am a firm believer that as you get older, you must make your own magic.

As children, we took for granted the magic our parents created for us, but if we wish to carry that spirit with us and indulge in all of summer's fleeting splendor, we must create that magic for ourselves.

And that's what prompted me to create today's post. It is more than just a guide to entertaining, it is a guide to preserving.

Setting The Stage

This may come as a shocking revelation, but you don't need to be hosting a fancy soiree to create a beautiful tablescape. Set a vignette for yourself. It creates a mood and is a lovely way to bring summer indoors.

Here are few things to bring your space to life with all that the season has to offer:

• Wildflowers or Garden Flowers - I like keeping a vase of hydrangeas on the table. Their vibrant colors add instant life to the space. You can also lean into rustic charm with wildflowers or a tropical feel with Hibiscus, Birds of Paradise, or Orchids. One of my favorite tips for fresh bouquets is immersing them completely in fresh water (room temperature) for 10 minutes before transferring them to a vase. It keeps the flowers fresher longer. The stems should always be about two inches in water. Be sure to change the water and trim the stems, and remove the wilting foliage every other day.
• String lights, candle jars, and fairy lights - I love delicate lighting for summer evenings. I think citronella tea candles are a lovely way to add some light and keep the bugs at bay so you can enjoy the outdoors past sundown. String lights are perfect for patios and enclosed decks. The soft lighting keeps the atmosphere cozy.
• Seashells and linen - Seashells create a beautiful vignette for summer. You can add your collection to jars or if you have larger shells, place candles in each of them. I like pairing these with blue and white linen clothes creating that perfect nautical vibe.

If you are looking for a more in-depth guide on how to perfect your tablescape, Nina Hendrick has a fabulous guide that breaks down the rules of creating a showstopping centerpiece and place settings.

The Menu

Perhaps, the most important feature of any event is the menu. When you're entertaining don't just be thoughtful of your guests, be considerate of yourself too.

Keep the menu light and easy. It's summer after all, and it's hot. Save the heavy sauces and baked desserts for the three other seasons. Right now, it is all about simple comforts. We have a large array of such dishes here on LTG. Below are some of our seasonal favorites:

Antipasto

• Salami and Cheese Puff Pastry Twists - These three ingredient twists will surely be a crowd favorite. They are flakey, cheesy, salty, and absolutely irresistible. Protip: you can make these in the convection or air fryer!
• Shrimp Cocktails - Is it really summer if you don't have shrimp on the board? These are easy to prepare but also offer the guests something cool to chow down on.
• Infused Olive Oil - One of my personal favorites is a good dipping oil. Roasted garlic, herbs, and spices bring out the best flavors and they are delicious with crostini or bruschetta.
• Deviled Eggs - Everyone loves deviled eggs and it's no wonder why. They are the perfect bite-sized appetizer (or snack) and easy to make for the hostess as well.
• Marinated Cheese - You can use a variety of cheeses here, but marinated cheese really elevates the antipasto spread. It will impress your guests and will probably become a requested appetizer for future occasions.
• Charcuterie - If you have been a follower of LTG then you know by now how much we love our charcuterie boards. We offer quite an array of them as well so be sure to browse through our recipe index for different variations.

Sides

• Melon Salad - I should clarify this is a grown-up melon salad as we serve it with a delicious Absinthe syrup. The sweetness of the fruit and its subtle notes of licorice from the Absinthe come together beautifully for a cool, refreshing fruit salad.
• Grilled vegetables - Summer's freshest produce is on full display here. We love these served alongside steak. It just ties the meal together perfectly.
• Mexican Street Corn - If you have the grill fired up, then make this street corn to accompany your spread. You'll never want corn on the cob any other way.
• Grilled Salad - It's all about cooking outdoors right? So why not add some flare to your summer salads and throw them onto the grill as well? The grilled romaine here is so delicious with grilled toppings like chickpeas, and a creamy vegan Caesar dressing.
• Fruit Kebabs - These are fun way to serve up fruit and add color to your summer plate. It only takes minutes to put together but is a great way to keep cool. Protip: turn these kebobs into Tanghulu for a more dessert-style dish by dipping them into a sugar syrup that hardens. Check out our notes in the recipe box below for more on how to do that!

Main Course

• Country Style Ribs - Every backyard barbecue needs a rack of ribs. These country-style ribs are the definition of fall-off-the-bone, finger-licking-good.
• Spicy Relish Hot Dogs - These are not your average hot dogs. The ongoing debate in our house is hot dogs vs. hamburgers and it's still a tie. So, for those in the crowd who love a good hot dog, we've got you covered.
• Steakhouse Burgers - Speaking of which, if you happen to be Team Hamburger - like yours truly - give our juicy Steakhouse Burgers a try. You may even convince some die-hard hot dog fans to switch over 😉
• Chicken Caprese Skewers - Looking for lighter dinner options? These grilled chicken skewers combine two seasonal favorites into one delicious main course.
• Pasta Salad - To keep with the theme of a lighter dinner spread, serve our Spinach and Feta Pasta Salad alongside the Caprese skewers. We prefer our salads mayo-free so this is super light yet satisfying. The feta adds a perfect balance of saltiness so you will never miss the mayo.
• Grilled Butter Steak - We're saving the best for last. Wrapped in bacon, and then grilled in a buttery herb sauce, this is the only way to grill steak in our not-so-humble opinion. We used filet mignon here but any cut will do. I like to cook them in a cast iron pan so just place that over the open grill for the most delicious steak ever.

Rounding out our menu are two more important categories- drinks and desserts. Here are a few suggestions to wrap up your quintessential summer soiree!

Dessert

• Eton Mess - Elegance encapsulated in one glass. Delicate meringue, whipped cream, and the freshest fruit create this English classic that is perhaps one of the most perfect summertime desserts I can think of.
• Tiramisù Cake - If you're looking for something a little richer, you can never go wrong with Tiramisù. It's a cool, no-bake dessert that is always a welcomed surprise, especially for coffee lovers.
• Vanilla Ice Cream - Not only is ice cream easy to make since you don't need to turn the oven on but our no-churn ice cream makes the process even easier. It's the creamiest ice cream I've ever had and we have a lot of different variations on the site if you're looking for ways to flavor it.
• No-Bake Banoffee Pie - I'm still thinking about this pie. If you are a pie lover but can't be fussed with rolling out dough and turning the oven on, look no further. This banoffee pie is rich and hearty, dolloped with fresh cream and a decadent caramel sauce.

Drinks

• Summer Whiskey Smash - This is summer in a glass if you ask me. Sweet, zesty orange, refreshing mint, a dash of simple syrup, and a splash of whiskey create the ultimate summer cocktail.
• Watermelon Margarita - This is a great poolside cocktail. It's so refreshing and really just so beautiful. We paired the sweet watermelon with a spicy rim sprinkled withGochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes)!
• Botanical Gin Lemonade - Lemonade is great, but what about adding a splash of botanical gin to elevate it? You can easily create a mocktail version of this with crushed rosemary and lavender!
• Green Paradise Iced Tea Slushy - Of course, if you're looking for mocktails or alcohol-free refreshments, you can still create something elegant. Take for example this invigorating slushy.
• Elevated Iced Tea - A pitcher of iced team goes a long way but there are a million and one ways to serve it. For this reason, we love Mark T. Wendell. They offer a variety of gourmet teas that will help you create the perfect summer drink that everyone can enjoy! Today, we created a pitcher of their Passionfruit Kiwi Green Tea. It's all organic and natural with passionfruit and kiwi essences blended with marigold blossoms and cornflower petals. Serve it hot or cold with your favorite infusions like citrus slices or berries.
  • Don't forget that today and always, you can get 15% off any Mark T. Wendell order of $50 or more when you use the code 'LivingtheGourmet' at checkout!

The Finishing Touches

You have some decor set up, and your menu in place, and now you might be wondering, what other ways can I make this summer unforgettable?

Of course, good food and company make lasting memories but there are ways to make each of those moments unforgettable, and here are a few ideas on how:

• Step back into time - Set up the projector, get the slides out, and step back into time. It's a beautiful way to preserve the memories of dear family members and fun to relive. Alternatively, you can host an outdoor movie night which is always a fun way to end the evening.
• Live entertainment - What about a karaoke machine? It's a fun investment to pick up for gatherings and sure to make quite a few memorable moments among friends and family.
• Pack the basket - So many of our recipes can be made beforehand and packed away for a picnic or evening at the beach, and enjoy the sunset.
• Scavenger hunt - If you have little ones to keep entertained try a scavenger hunt keep the themes fun like a fairy garden or pirate hunt. It's a nice way to reimagine the outdoors and bring some magic to life for them.
• Bonfire night - Set up the bonfire and get out the smores kit. Watch the fireflies come out while the sun sinks behind the sky. You could even set up an ice cream station and let everyone create their own cone.

And there you have it, our comprehensive guide on summer entertaining. However you choose to celebrate and gather, we hope you have an exceptional (and delicious) time!

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If you enjoyed today’s recipe and guide, or have any questions or suggestions, be sure to let us know in the comments below. We always love hearing from you!

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