Summer always seems to fly by way too fast, doesn't it? With the realization that I have to report back to my school job in less than a week, I decided it was the perfect time to gather everyone for a delightful family dinner. In this post, I'll walk you through how to plan and execute the perfect mid-summer soiree, complete with links to the recipes I used and ideas for future al fresco dining options!
Inspiration from the Farmer's Market
My best artistic creativity is often sparked by something small. A few weeks ago, I attended a local farmer's market with my mother and daughter. The scent of fresh green chilies roasting, the assortment of juicy fruits and crisp vegetables, the sweet taste of newly harvested honey, and the vibrant flavors of locally crafted balsamic vinegars inspired me to create this evening.
Creating a Vision
Once I had a vision for the event theme, I went into full research mode. I envisioned a European, al fresco dining experience with dishes inspired by fresh farmer's market ingredients. Using key phrases like "European al fresco dining" and "fresh farmer's market recipes," I scoured the internet and took screenshots to form a vision board. For this, I used Canva.
Home Shopping for Decor
With a clear vision in mind, I embarked on a little "at-home shopping" adventure. I love reusing and repurposing items from around the house to create a unique setting. I transformed an entryway table into a beverage station, gathered various LED candles, borrowed serving bowls from my mother, and mixed and matched other elements to bring the soiree to life.
Planning the Menu
Next, I made a list of items to purchase for our dinner. Baking fresh French bread is one of my favorite pastimes, and I had all the ingredients on hand for this simple yet delicious bread. You can find the recipe [here]. Inspired by a recent Instagram trend, I decided to try a butter board using Kerrygold butter, peach bourbon vanilla jam, and honey.
For soup, I wanted something refreshing for the hot weather. After some research, I found a recipe for Strawberry Gazpacho. Although the original link was broken, I found a similar recipe [here]. I also made a crisp salad inspired by one my mom makes, with spring greens, blueberries, cucumbers, celery, tomatoes, and Italian dressing.
For the main dish, I chose Bruschetta Chicken Pasta. I added a drizzle of dark chocolate balsamic vinegar from the farmer's market for an extra touch. For guests with dietary restrictions or less adventurous palates, I also made chicken parmesan.
Setting the Scene
Details make all the difference. We planned the dinner for later in the evening to avoid the heat. To add some pizzazz to our backyard, I adorned our young fruit trees with solar powered fairy lights and strung bistro lights around the table for a magical ambiance. I found a lovely wine chiller on Amazon and filled the mold with flowers from our garden.
Entertainment and Final Touches
To keep our guests entertained, I set up a projector screen in one corner of the yard (our son is obsessed with tornado movies) and prepared the fire pit for a cozy atmosphere. We had a s'mores station ready with ingredients provided by one of our guests arranged on a bar cart, along with mini popcorn boxes and a bug spray/hand sanitizer station.
Although we didn't get to grilling peaches and pears with vanilla ice cream for dessert this time, there's still a little bit of summer left to make it happen!
Other Al Fresco Dining Ideas
In the future, I'd love to host a Mediterranean inspired outdoor dinner complete with hummus, grilled kebabs and baklava.
I can almost guarantee I'll be hosting a fall al fresco event. Perhaps with apple inspired dishes and of course pumpkin spice, lots of cozy blankets, and flannel!
If we have a mild fall, I might even consider an outdoor Friendsgiving. I envision a backyard football game while the turkey is in the deep fryer, losing team does the dishes!
I hope this guide inspires you to create your own unforgettable mid-summer and beyond soiree. Enjoy the remaining days of summer with family, friends, and delicious food!
