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 The summer's marquee features the arrival of plump, juicy heirloom tomatoes, robust artichokes, sweet peaches and berries, sweet peas, fragrant basil and rosemary, and backyard lemonade.
Dining alfresco on warm summer evenings makes any simple meal feel special. A tiny dish of Italian green Cerignola olives, soft bits of crottin goat cheese mingling with roasted pears and imported prosciutto, escorted by a chilled glass of white Bordeaux; simple, exotic, and light.
The summer solstice, the day the Earth’s North Pole tilts closest to the sun, arrives every year on June 20th; bringing with it early sunrises and late sunsets.
Summer delivers to our doorsteps an expansion of living space; the backyard dining room. And the leading lady of the backyard stage -- the BBQ, the grill, the pit, the hibachi, all no-dishes-required culinary luminaries. The grill is my favorite cooking vessel and best friend from June through September, but honestly, I’m the crazy neighbor racing from my kitchen door to the grill with a pot holder on my head in the middle of January during a downpour. I grill ALL year, even when it’s under an umbrella.
But these few weeks when the freeways are just a tad less crowded, and evenings are not consumed with homework, paperwork, and multiple schedules, we can, if even a few nights a week, enjoy the family dinner amongst the flora . So grab your spatula and frisbee, and take it outside.
- Backyard Lemonade w/ Vodka Floaters
- Grilled Halloumi Cheese & Heirloom Tomatoes
- Roasted Pear Antipasto
- Summer English Pea & Fennel Salad
- Parsley & Lemon Prawns w/ Melon Tarragon Salsa
- Vanilla Sorbet Orange Cups w/ Citrus Peaches
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