Easy Summer Entertaining

Nothing says “summer” like a resplendent outdoor table with a seemingly endless buffet of grab- and-go snacks to accompany a cooler full of craft beers and cocktails. But by the end of the season I’m barbequed, baked, and birthday partied out. All I really want to do is kick back with friends and enjoy the last few weeks of these warm summer nights.

If there’s one thing I learned while living in Europe, it’s that entertaining can and SHOULD be easy. There was a time when having more than two people over was a week-long production for me. Now I can pull together a party for twenty in less than 30 minutes. And because there’s no cooking involved, we often take this show on the road, to the beach, and even to our favorite farm. Thanks to a few simple habits like always keeping beer and bubbles in the fridge along with some basic aperitivi staples, anyone can live La Vita Saporita, anywhere, anytime!

Start by stocking your pantry and fridge using this list as a general guide - you won’t use everything at the same time unless you want to, but the idea is to stock these items on a regular basis so you always have plenty to grab and go:

Pantry Staples:

Crackers, flatbreads and crisps

Any kind of chips (potato, tortilla, veggie, etc)

Popcorn

Grisini (breadsticks)

Jars of marinated veggies (olives, sundried tomatoes, pickles, pickled onions, artichokes, etc)

Beef jerky

Nuts

Dried fruit

Jams and preserves (fig is a long-standing favorite but my kids’ lunch jelly works in a pinch)

Biscotti, Pirouline, Amaretti or other small cookies

Chocolate covered almonds or chocolate squares

Fridge Staples:

Soft, medium and hard cheeses (we always have brie, white cheddar and parmesan on deck)

Salami, prosciutto, or other cured meats

Hummus or some other dip

Carrots

Grape tomatoes

Grapes

Berries

Beer

Sparkling wine

White and/or rosé wine

Sparkling water

Izze or Pellegrino sodas (or another non alcoholic option)

There are many ways to build a great charcuterie or cheese board. When I have time to plan I like to focus on certain countries and coordinate all the elements. If I feel extra fancy I’ll label things so people know what they’re eating and perhaps even go so far as to do specific wine pairings.

But mostly we just grab what we have and plate it as fast as we can so we can get back to our drinks and our conversation.

Here are a few simple tips to create a winning spread every time:

1. Something pre-sliced - typically cured meats for some savory, salty goodness

2. Something you slice - cheese or hard meats to bring in some chew and texture

3. Something spreadable - add some smooth richness on the palate with soft cheeses or pates

4. Accents and accoutrements - these add the variety of different tastes, textures and aromas. Jams and preserves are always good standbys. Add a sprinkling of olives, nuts, fresh and dried fruits, pickles and other tasty tidbits to make it extra fancy.

5. Carriers - an assortment of breads and crackers to transport all this deliciousness

If this looks like too much work, don’t sweat it. Just grab what you have and get it on the table. Some of the best times we’ve had have been with nothing more than a loaf of bread and a bottle (or three) of wine. At the end of the day, the laughter, conversation, and fun that an impromptu picnic dinner brings to your life are far more memorable than whatever is on your plates.

Salute!