One of my favorite things about summer is eating outside. Locally, there are so many great options to eat outside and on the water. I love sitting outside, enjoying the nice weather, and hanging out with friends. Since we have 3 kids, it’s hard to get a baby-sitter and go out to dinner so it’s easier to invite people over and hang out in our backyard.
After entertaining a lot this summer, I have discovered some great recipes and have developed the following menu as my go-to recipes whenever we have people over. These recipes are pretty easy to make and best of all, you can make a lot of these ahead of time!
Appetizers: I typically like to do a meat and cheese platter when people come over during the cooler months but leaving cheese out in the sun is not the best idea. The cheese tends to “sweat” and it isn’t the most appetizing thing to look at. I like to keep things light and put out a vegetable platter with cucumbers, red and green peppers, jicama, carrots, and broccoli with a homemade dip (like this onion dip or a greek yogurt black bean dip) or hummus. I also like to serve tortilla chips or black bean chips with a homemade salsa or guacamole. I usually don’t put out a lot of snacks so people don’t over eat before the meal.
Entree: I like to stay away from serving hot dogs and hamburgers with potato salad. I want to make my guests feel special and make something different. These recipes and the marinades can be made ahead of time so you will have more time to hang out with your guests!
What are your favorite recipes to make when you eat outdoors?
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