There’s something about the prospect of a warm summer weekend that makes you want to dust off the patio table, shake out your brightly colored linens and host an outdoor party. Whether it’s a casual potluck with the neighbors or a star–spangled Fourth of July fete, here are tips for entertaining in style — and without the stress.
Menu Basics
Keep it simple. Remember, it’s about fun, friends and food — fancy fare need not apply. Serve the dishes buffet–style, so guests can help themselves.
Plan your menu so that at least 75% of the food can be made in advance. Focus on dishes that can be served cool or at room temperature: creamy slaws, hearty grain salads, refreshing green salads. Sure–fire favorites, such as The Original Potato Salad, are always appreciated. Select grilled meat and vegetable recipes that allow at least part of the meal to be cooked in advance. Good choices: Grilled Steak and Veggies over Rice or Warm Gingered Chicken Salad with Crispy Greens.
Helping Hands
Most guests love an opportunity to contribute, so why not make it official and call it a potluck? If you assign hors d’oeuvres to one family and side dishes and desserts to others, you can cross hours of work off your list.
Ask a friend to come to the event early to help with last–minute party prep. Get the family involved. Kids can arrange wildflower bouquets, and your partner can man the grill. Bonus benefit: When the first guests arrive, the party will seem to be already under way.
Setting the Scene
Bring summer’s brilliant blooms to the table. Centerpieces need not be carefully composed arrangements of hothouse flowers. Instead, create bouquets of wildflowers, Queen Anne’s Lace, ferns, vines and whatever else is growing in your garden or nearby. Repeat this theme on your platters — set cheeses on large leaves, tuck flower buds or fresh herb sprigs on the edges of platters. Just remember to use only edible varieties, and wash them well.
Buffet–style dining not only lends a casual air to the meal but also adds to the decor. Platters of colorful salads and brimming bowls of grilled corn or sliced strawberries make for a beautiful table.
Happy Hour Nibbles
Dips are perfect party fare, because they can be made in advance. Select tried–and–true recipes, such as Lipton® Onion Dip, or introduce a new favorite like our Racy Reuben Dip.
Offer a variety of flavors, sizes and textures. Along with dips, try a grilled bread option, such as Italian Grilled Cheese Panini Bites. Then fill out the table with purchased items such as olives, nuts, grapes and breadsticks.
Keeping It Cool
Serve one fantastic summer–themed cocktail — this cuts down on the expense and hassle of setting up a full bar. Supplement with beer, wine and a special nonalcoholic option, such as Sparkling Chilled Pomegranate Tea.
Parties call for festive ice — cooling cubes you’ve frozen in advance that display embedded berries or bright slices of lemon. Add these cubes to drinks to pump up the flavor. Another idea: Freeze ice tea and add the cubes to lemonade.
Just for Kids
Kids can help by making creative and functional table decorations. Collect smooth, flat river or beach rocks that youngsters can paint as they like. Use the colorful rocks as tablecloth weights to guard against summer breezes.
Organize active games to keep kids occupied. Some ideas: beach–ball volleyball for the little ones, water–balloon dodgeball for older kids. If all else fails, drag out the sprinkler.
Save Room for Dessert
Keep it local — visit a nearby farm stand for peaches, plums and berries, which are in peak season and at their most delicious. Toss sliced fruits or berries with a little sugar and lemon juice, and serve with ice cream or whipped cream.
Please a crowd of kids (and adults) with a towering platter of brownies. To try: Marbled Peanut Butter Brownies.