Out of Chaos an organizing newsletter
How to Throw a Summer Party
One of my favorite things about summer is that you hardly have to cook to throw a great party. The produce is so bountiful, you can just let your impulses run wild at the farmer’s market and you’ll be guaranteed a wonderful feast.
Here are some things I love to serve in the summer that require little to no effort:
Tomato-Mozzarella Salad: Slice a tomato and a ball of mozzarella and arrange on a plate, alternating slices of cheese and tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Have some fresh basil on hand? Toss a few leaves on top.
Asparagus: If you have a grill, snap off the tough ends, then grill it quickly and drizzle with olive oil and balsamic. (Grill a red bell pepper too, slice into thin strips, and place them across the top for added color and sweetness.) No grill? Blanch asparagus spears for one minute, plunge it into ice water and then drain and drizzle with oil. Either way, it’s elegant, fast, easy and delish.
Cucumber-feta salad: Peel a cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds. Slice into crescents and toss with crumbled feta, a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of white wine vinegar. Try tossing in some fresh or dried mint, too, if you have it.
If you are lucky enough to have access to a grill, it’s great to be able to cook outside and keep the kitchen from heating up. My latest favorite is this pork recipe (it works well with beef, too). If you can’t grill, look for recipes you can cook early in the day, or try making ribs in your pressure cooker.
There is nothing like a big pitcher of ice tea on a hot summer day. Lately, I’ve been making a passion fruit tea, and when I add a little agave syrup my kids say it’s as good as Snapple—high praise!
If you like to bake, now is the moment for strawberry-rhubarb pie, but you can also just put out bowls of berries and call it a day. Make whipped cream, or buy crème fraiche or vanilla ice cream. Last summer, my lavender grew so fast I had to find some recipes to use it up. Lavender shortbread is a perfect accompaniment to a bowl of berries.
I’m always telling you that the reason to get organized is so you can enjoy your life. Enjoying a meal with family and friends on a long summer night is truly one of life’s great pleasures. So eat, drink and spend time with people. There’s plenty of time to take care of filing in the fall.