Originally, I was going to call this Marvelous Monday Summer Dinners, but summer is not officially here until June 21, but it is the first week after Memorial Day, which is the unofficial kick-off to summer, so we’re close. Anyway, back to warm weather meals. For some reason, warm weather dinners seem simpler. Maybe it’s because of the grill so easily available to pull up and heat up without putting a parka on. Or maybe we make it simpler because we think less stews and sauces in the warmer months. Well what ever the reason, warm weather meals just appear to be simpler and easier to prepare.
Another thing I notice this time of year is that people get out more see their friends and family and make more plans to get together. Why not invite your people over for an easy warm weather meal? There is just something about lingering around an island having beverages while the meal is being prepared, enlisting others to either bring a dish or help you out with preparations. If the outdoor temps are not too hot or too cold, consider an outdoor dinner on the patio, lanai or deck? I often talk about a really fun Lobster Dinner Party friends had on Lake Fenton. They set a beautiful long table, the temperatures were just right and the lighting from the soon to set sun were like something it of a Nancy Meyer movie.
When selecting a menu for a gathering, think simple and recipes you know like the back of your hand. Set a pretty table with dishes or paper plates, do what makes YOU feel comfortable. Your guests will be so happy to receive an invitation that they will be delighted with what you choose to eat and how your decide to set the table/serve it. These gifts of kindness and generosity from friends and loved ones are so appreciated and treasured. Just think about how touched you are when someone goes out of their way to have a party and dinner and they include you and how that make YOU feel.
See to details like beverages that your guests enjoy, cool chill music and get your self feeling fab and relaxed with your favorite attire. Leave plenty of time to get ready so that you feel your best. When your feel your best, entertaining seems to go smoother. For me, when I am around food, whether preparations or once dinner time arrives, my hair is up for hygienic purposes.
If having guests over seems a bit overwhelming, start with a small dinner at home. Last night, I did a trial run to prepare for this post. I had gone grocery shopping earlier in the day, had planned menus for the week and decided that Sunday night’s dinner would be a practice run for a dinner with a small number of friends. An Italian Lamabrusco was put in the fridge to chill, chicken was marinaded after I returned home, I purchased washed broccoli and cauliflower so that preparations were easy when it came time to cook (I still did my own rinse, but I didn’t have to trim/cut the vegetables), just tossed-on a piece of foil-with olive oil, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. I heated up the grill and got the Pastina going-recipe here on the website. I set the table and got a classic rock playlist going, cleaned up as I was going so there would be not much to clean up after dinner. I asked Brad to take over the grilling of the chicken and vegetables so that I could get a dress on and brush my teeth. When he pulled everything off the grill I was ready to plate dinner with a few garnishes of fresh parsley and lemon wedges. We had a pleasant dinner and he helped clean up. Easy and easy duplicated for a small group. Do we always get dressed up for dinner? No, however, it was a beautiful night, the windows were open, I set a pretty table, we had a nice chilled sweet red wine, flowers on the table, pleasant music going, why not?
People sometimes ask me how I get motivated to cook, entertain or go to the grocery store. My response is, make it fun. If entertaining isn’t your thing, it’s just not your thing and there is absolutely NOTHING to feel bad about that. However, grocery shopping and food preparation, well, that’s just part of life. You can make it drudgery or you can make it fun. I don’t know why anyone wouldn’t want to make it fun. I thought about what I usually do that might make a difference for someone who finds no fun in it and here’s what I do, if it helps…
I start with a list making a little chart of dinners for the week that we’ll be at home and begin there with a protein, and vegetables, possibly bread, maybe no on that or a grain. From there I add the basics like eggs, milks, cottage cheese, Greek yogurt and any staples I need like agave, honey or any herbs. Do I need any frozen foods or pastries (Trader Joe’s has really great frozen chocolate croissants that are usually on my list. you just let them proof over night on a cookie sheet and they are ready to bake when you get up)? I go over any fruit or vegetables for lunches or snacks and then a run through of cleaning products/toiletries, soap or paper products and of course, some pretty flowers. That’s it.
Next, I make sure I leave the house with my list and bags to carry groceries home in. It’s so frustrating to forget the list.
These three provided great music on my grocery shopping venture yesterday. Yes, I sang along too-no in the grocery store though.
From there, I get in the car and select some fun music. Yesterday, I was driving down to Trader Joe’s in Rochester so the drive was a little long, about 35 minutes, I put on Bob Segers Greatest Hits. I sang on the way down and had a little concert in the car. When I got out of the car to begin my shopping, I put my ear buds in-with the cord-and buzzed through the store in record time with my list and I stuck to the list. I checked out, watching the checkout for any prices that weren’t right-everything was right. Before I knew it I was on my way and the concert in the car on the way home was Tina Turner and The Rolling Stones.
When I got home, I carried everything in, chilled the Lambrusco, marinaded the chicken, got some Kefir going then put away all the groceries. I separated the items I picked up for my Mom and headed over to see her and drop off what she needed. When got home, I began dinner preparations as stated above.
That’s it. Don’t make it harder than it is, make it fun. Remember, you GET to do this and your GET to do this most days. Enjoy the everyday little activities so that you can say as many days as possible…It’s a Great Day 🌼
