Summer Dinner Parties...

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Fun and Easy Recipes And Ideas

Summer entertaining should encompass the very feelings we associate with summer itself. It should be laid back, sexy, fun and easy. No one wants to swelter in the kitchen for hours on a hot day, or man the grill in hundred degree weather while every one else splashes in the pool. A little planning will ensure that hosting a summer get together will be just as much fun as attending one.

Start with a theme. Be creative! This is your chance to show everyone how clever you are. A theme also helps you focus your menu, making your job all that much easier. How about a Caribbean adventure in your own backyard? No pool? No problem!

A group of inflatable kiddy pools and a handful of beach balls will get everyone in the spirit, and keep them laughing.

Caribbean Jerk chicken is an easy, tasty main dish. Serve with a jicama, watermelon, and cucumber salad for a refreshing side, and round out the meal with spicy Jamaican potatoes. (All recipes can be found at the end of this article)

Keep everybody in the party spirit with a selection of blended drinks like pina coladas, daiquiris, and rum punch. A do-it-yourself bar, well stocked with mixers, glasses, ice and a blender keeps things simple for the host, and adds to the fun for guests.

If you're going for something more upscale, try a Spanish Tapas party. Tapas are what the Spaniards call appetizers. Tapas include everything from cheese and crackers to elaborate bite-sized "mini-meals". Again, a little forethought on the part of the host will ensure a successful, easy to put together menu.

A few bowls of mixed nuts or spicy glazed almonds make great nibbles. A cheese and fruit platter is always popular. Try a few new, more adventurous items, too. White beans with spicy chorizo and tomatoes are wonderful when paired with toasted French baguette. And cilantro-lime shrimp are a tart and refreshing change from basic shrimp cocktail.

Want to stay even cooler? Plan your party at night.

Or, for an extra fun ladies night, plan your party for ALL night. A Pajama Jam can be a great get together for a group of girls. (Pajama parties are fantastic fun for chicas from nine to ninety nine years old!) Have everyone bring their favorite movie, and make munchies that will last all night long. Sure, ice cream and pizza are tasty, but how about something unexpected, like a fabulous fondue, or apricot glazed chicken wings? And for your more health conscious girlfriends, make sure you include one or two guiltless yummies, like roasted vegetables with a spicy aioli dip, or a cool fresh fruit salad with a bit of ginger.

Summertime parties are a great way to reconnect with friends, bond with family, and make the most out of those long summer days. So plan ahead, buy extra ice, and have a ball.

GREAT SUMMER Recipes:

Jamaican Jerk Chicken
(Note: many grocery stores are carrying wonderful premade jerk seasoning packets and marinades. If you’d like to save even more time, use one of these.)

2 onions, finely chopped
1 cup green onions, finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried thyme
2 teaspoons kosher salt
4 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons allspice
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 jalapeno peppers, sliced
6 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons canola oil
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or chicken drumsticks

In a food processor or blender, combine all ingredients except for the chicken. Blend until smooth. Place chicken in glass baking dish or zip top bag. Pour marinade over chicken, turning to coat completely. Refrigerate overnight. Just before guests arrive, grill chicken. Discard any leftover marinade. (Alternately, you can cook the chicken in the oven, at 350 degrees until juices run clear.)

Jicama, Watermelon and Cucumber salad
1 medium Jicama, peeled and diced
1 large cucumber, peeled, deseeded and diced
1 small watermelon, diced
1 jalapeno, carefully deseeded and finely diced
Juice from 2 large limes
Pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl. Serve chilled

Spicy Jamaican Potatoes
½ cup Jamaican jerk seasoning
Diced potatoes
Oil, for frying

Boil the potatoes until they are tender, but not completely cooked. Drain well on paper towels. Fry the potatoes in oil until crisp on the outside. While hot, sprinkle liberally with Jamaican jerk seasoning.


White Beans with Spicy Chorizo

2 cans white beans, drained well
2 cans petite diced tomatoes undrained
Sliced spicy chorizo
Olive oil
½ small onion, finely diced
Salt and pepper, to taste

Sautee onion in olive oil until softened, but not brown. Add chorizo and continue to sauté for 2-4 more minutes. Lower heat; add beans, tomatoes, salt and pepper. Lower heat and simmer for about 5 minutes. Serve with slices of well toasted French bread.

Cilantro Lime Shrimp

½ cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons lime juice
½ teaspoon salt
2lbs cooked, deveined large shrimp

In a large, nonmetal bowl, combine all ingredients, cover, and marinate at least 1 hour. Serve chilled, alone or over a mango, papaya and avocado salad.

Sweet Apricot Chicken Wings

½ cup barbeque sauce
¼ cup frozen apple juice concentrate
¼ cup apricot jam or marmalade
3-4 pounds chicken wings

In small saucepan, combine barbecue sauce, apple juice concentrate and apricot jam or marmalade. Sprinkle wings with salt and pepper, and grill. During last 10 minutes of cooking, brush chicken liberally with sauce mixture. Heat up remaining sauce and serve with wings.

By Veronika Lazabal