Christina's Cucina

An impassioned Italian Scot sharing how to cook authentically, and travel with enthusiasm.

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Home » Ingredient » A Summertime Garden Party – Easy Summer Entertaining Menu Ideas

A Summertime Garden Party – Easy Summer Entertaining Menu Ideas

August 2nd, 2015 | 18 Comments

An easy summer entertaining menu doesn’t mean boring food. Five recipe developers and bloggers have a lovely summertime garden party menu all ready for you to use.

Summertime garden party easy summer entertaining menu
photo by Cathy Arkle

I don’t know about you, but summers seem to be flying past, faster and faster each year.

This year, I had grand plans of a big vacation with our family to celebrate six big milestones in our lives, including birthdays, anniversaries and graduations. Instead, for the first time ever, we didn’t even have a weekend getaway together! This makes it obvious to me, that it’s even more important to plan smaller events with friends and family, so that at least we have those things to look forward to, and to have memories to look back on.

Summertime Garden Party girls easy summer entertaining menu

One of these fun events was getting together with four other girlfriends for a light lunch overlooking the beach. These girlfriends just happen to be bloggers, too, so it was a ton of fun and there was a serious amount of photography happening all morning!

GGirls cooking easy summer entertaining menu

Easy Summer Entertaining Menu

The menu that resulted from our get-together turned out to be a fabulous line up for a light summer meal, whether it’s lunch or dinner. Each dish/drink is made with minimal ingredients and is so quick and easy to throw together. Truthfully, who wants to be stuck in a kitchen for hours when it’s a gorgeous day? We all chose a course, or drink to make–of course you knew who made dessert, right? Let me have my friends introduce themselves to you, along with their sites, and what they made.

Kelly ~ Tasting Page

Welcome! I’m Kelly from Tasting Page, and happy to kick off the Summertime Garden Party with an all natural fruit focused beverage.

Kelly Tasting Page easy summer entertaining menuMy blog focuses on unprocessed, real food recipes and this one is no exception. This refreshing summer drink uses no refined sugar because we have all the sweetness we need from ripe mangos, juicy oranges and a squeeze of lime. Mint brightens things up and jalapeño throws in some spice. Depending on the summer soiree you’re looking to have, you can top this with sparkling water for some effervescence and clear-headed thinking, or have some fun, and throw in some tequila to get the party started.

Get the recipe for Kelly’s SPICY MANGO CITRUS COCKTAIL

Valentina ~ Cooking on the Weekends

Hi!  I’m Valentina from Cooking On The Weekends. Working with whole foods and seasonal ingredients, my focus is creating unique and comforting food for casual entertaining.

Valentina appetizer easy summer entertaining menuI love rich and intense flavors, and serving them in ways my guests will never forget. This scrumptious summer appetizer is no exception — creamy goat cheese, sweet and spicy heirloom tomato preserves, and fresh mango make it a bite to remember!

Get the recipe for Valentina’s SWEET AND SPICY TOMATO-MANGO, GOAT CHEESE APPETIZER

Cathy ~ She Paused 4 Thought

Hello! I’m Cathy from She Paused 4 Thought and I think summer entertaining should be simple, flavorful and visually appealing.

Cathy Gazpacho easy summer entertaining menu

My blog focuses on getting out of a rut in the kitchen with fun, uniquely combined whole foods with a global spin. This gorgeous gazpacho will have your guests swooning over a unique combination of garden fresh tomatoes and seasonally ripe strawberries. You can make this ahead of time and keep it chilled until your guests arrive. Garnish with strawberries or mint and keep the party rolling.

Get the recipe for Cathy’s FRESH TOMATO & STRAWBERRY GAZPACHO

Judy ~ My Well Seasoned Life

Judy lamb skewer easy summer entertaining menu
food photo by Cathy Arkle

I’m Judy from A Well Seasoned Life, where I write thoughts and stories on food, travel and many points in between.

I made Lamb Skewers with Mint and Feta Salsa for our party. I love to make this dish for the lamb haters out there. After one bite, I’ve heard my guests proclaim, “this is the best beef I’ve ever tasted!” It can be served as a starter or main course, depending on how large you want to make your skewers. Serve it at your next party for beef and lamb lovers alike.

Get the recipe for Judy’s LAMB SKEWERS with MINT and FETA SALSA

And for dessert, I made my Summer Berry Meringue Roulade.

I had some issues with this not baking properly (oven problems), but I managed to save it with the help of a few more hands! This dessert is light and fresh, and perfect for a summertime sweet.

Christina Roulade easy summer entertaining menu
Photos by Cathy Arkle

Get the recipe for my SUMMER BERRY MERINGUE ROULADE 

If I told you everything was delicious, would you believe me? Not only was the food fantastic, but the company was wonderful, too–not to mention the view! I have to say, although I really loved everything, Judy’s lamb was phenomenal. As someone who doesn’t like lima beans, she’s converted me! Her lima bean puree made me go out and buy lima beans to make it right away, along with that lamb! Honest.

Summertme-Garden-Party-cin-cin
photo by Kelly Page

California beach

Why don’t you take this moment to plan your own summertime party? You know winter will be here before you know it, and you’ll regret it if you don’t do it now! 

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summertime garden party shot
Photo by Cathy Arkle

 

 

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Appetizers, Course or Meal, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free, Ingredient, Main Courses, Non-Alcoholic, Nut Free, Pork & Lamb, Vegan · Appetizer, Dessert, Drinks, entertaining, garden party, Kebabs, Light Meal, lunch ideas, menu ideas, Strawberries, Summer, summer entertaining

Reader Interactions

18 Responses

  1. April says:
    July 22, 2016 at 6:34 am

    It’s always good to have little get-together! The menu looked and sounds fantastic! You’re right each year the summers seem to go faster and faster!

    Reply
  2. sue | theviewfromgreatisland says:
    July 22, 2016 at 5:40 am

    I love all these ladies and their blogs, and the feast looks like such fun!

    Reply
  3. Bintu - Recipes From A Pantry says:
    July 22, 2016 at 4:13 am

    The Summer is going so fast, love your little get together and your Summer berry meringue looks amazing

    Reply
    • Christina says:
      July 23, 2016 at 11:08 am

      THanks, Bintu!

      Reply
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Meet Christina

A Scottish Italian cook living in Los Angeles, Christina is usually cooking, baking or (cr)eating something scrumptious. When she isn't in the kitchen, she loves to travel, near and far, as long as good food is involved. Christina is on a mission to save authentic Italian dishes from extinction, and is constantly promoting Scottish (and British) food as some of the best cuisine the world has to offer—one steak pie and sticky toffee pudding at a time.



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