Delicious Ideas for Summer: The Perfect Outdoor Party

With the summer comes outdoor entertaining. You can either be excited about the possibilities, or stress about space, discomfort and that tinge of chaos that you’ve experienced in the past. If you are fortunate enough to have an outdoor kitchen, then you have great things to look forward to for your next party.

Living in Florida, we know just how special outdoor living can be. That’s why Neal Signature Homes designs homes that set the stage for outdoor entertaining, with covered patios ready to be transformed into beautiful outdoor kitchen and dining spaces.

Neal Signature Outdoor Kitchen Offer – April 1 – 30, 2018

Create the perfect setting for outdoor entertaining with a new outdoor kitchen. Neal Signature Homes will give up to $18,000 towards an outdoor kitchen with the purchase of a new home. See here for the details, or ask your Sales Associate.

Here are some simple ideas for creating festive, creative and tasty outdoor entertaining.

At Ease

Make your outdoor living space a welcoming experience that offers lots of comfort. When guests are relaxed and at ease, they want to linger at the table, sipping a glass of wine perhaps, enjoying the fresh air and good company. Invite unrushed, happy moments with an outdoor living space that is welcoming and comfortable. Cushy chairs and benches is one of the best things you can do to make that happen. Place outdoor pillows and cushions about.

In the Details

Whatever theme you decide to go with, include special touches to best effect. Set up an attractive bar area with all the accouterments. A martini-themed affaire perhaps? Use colorful dishes and place settings. Place centerpieces about, something as simple as little potted plants or flowers. String lights to set the mood as evening eases in and have candles set about that you can light when the time is right.

Food for Thought

The centerpiece for any outdoor dining occasion is, of course, the food and drink. Pull out your e tried and true recipes, or try something new. Here are some easy ideas to include along with your old favorites.

Appetizers
Buffalo Chicken Lollies
Buffalo chicken pieces with pepper sauce honey and ketchup, along with garlic and a shallot put on a skewer accompanied with a bleu cheese sauce for dipping. Recipe, complete with how-to video, on CookingChanel.com.

Cocktails
Vodka Mint Limeade
Tart, tangy and sweet, this limeade is the perfect adult cocktail for summer entertaining. This refreshing cocktail takes under 10 minutes to make, when you factor in a bit of time quartering the limes, blending and straining. The recipe was found on Laylita’s Recipes.

Salad
Corn and Zucchini Salad with Feta
The star of this beautiful show is the fresh squash blossoms. The salad also includes husked corn, zucchini, seasonings, white wine vinegar, olive oil and feta. Bon Appetit has the recipe.

Main Dish
Grilled Skirt Steak with Red Wine Chimichurri
A Latin twist peps up the steak. Make the sauce ahead of time, using ingredients like dry red wine, lime juice, balsamic vinegar, jalapenos and fresh cilantro. Grilling only takes about 15 minutes. Thank you CountryLiving.com!

Side Dish
Maple-Mustard Grilled Corn with Bacon
Sweet, spicy and definitely savory. Grill corn ears, baste in maple-mustard glaze and roll in bacon pieces. Yum, courtesy of CountryLiving.com.

Dessert
Watermelon Ice Cream
End the meal absolutely refreshing watermelon ice cream. All you need is cubed watermelon, milk, sugar, pure vanilla extract, a blender and loaf pan. See how to make this lovely dessert on Delish.com.

With a little planning and a great outdoor kitchen, you’re set to host a guest-pleasing outdoor summer party.