W4D SUMMER FRIDAYS!
4 THINGS YOU NEED 4 SUMMER ENTERTAINING
AU: This week we’re introducing two new things to W4D. One, we’re coming out on Fridays all Summer (instead of Thursdays)... Why? Because we feel like it. :) And who doesn’t love a Summer Friday?!
EK: And two, we’re launching a new “segment” called 4 Things You Need… think of it like a 3-4 minute national TV spot, like the ones our very own in-house Emmy-Award-winning TV Producer Anthony has produced for the likes of GMA, The Chew (RIP), and Food Network!
AU: And like the segments you’ve fronted on those shows and more! The point is to make it easily digestible and quick info for you to live your best life this Summer!
EK: Since last weekend was Memorial Day Weekend, the official kickoff to grilling season, we thought we’d start with 4 Things You Need 4 Easy Summer Entertaining!
4 THINGS YOU NEED 4 EASY SUMMER ENTERTAINING
EK: I don’t know about you, but I made Classic Burgers on the grill…
AU: Me too! It feels so apropos for MDW–you gotta start the Summer off with a good ol’ fashioned burger.
EK: Right?!! Let’s face it, most of us make the same dishes over and over and grilling season is no different…
AU: But we’ve got a ton of great grilling recipes in our archives, so take a spin through our past newsletters to try something new!
EK: Now that we have an arsenal of recipes to choose from, let’s take it back to the basics of Summer Entertaining…
1. SET UP YOUR GRILLING STATION
EK: If it’s been awhile since you’ve grilled, the first thing that you want to do is give your grill a light cleaning and make sure you have enough charcoal, pellets or gas! That is the number-one BIG BUMMER at the start of the season. You can’t believe how many people get ready to grill and realize that they don’t have any fuel! Put that on your list midweek, so that you can be sure that you have a full tank or a full bag of charcoal or pellets.
AU: Sad to say, this has happened to me before! Josh now keeps a backup propane tank waiting in the wings, so he doesn’t have to make a last-minute trip to the gas station to exchange a tank… (because you know HE’S the one that has to go get it lol)
EK: Exactly! It has happened to just about everyone! Once your grill is ready to go, make sure you are organized because grilling is quick cooking and you don’t want to have to keep running inside to get something and ruin (a.k.a. overcook) your food. Here is my handy mis en place checklist, so that you have everything you need on hand:
Grilling Trilogy:
If you are prepping the food outside, set up a tray with your Grilling Trilogy of
EVOO
Kosher Salt
Pepper–and or any BBQ rub that you want to use.
Grill Station:
Using a tray like a half or quarter sheet pan to set up all your grill equipment:
2 pairs of locking 12-inch chef tongs (one for raw food, and one for cooked food)
A good heat-proof spatula for turning burgers–if making burgers!
Grill Brush for cleaning the grill. If you don’t have a new grill brush, make a ball of heavy duty aluminum foil and place that between your 12-inch tongs to clean the cooking grates.
Instant-read Thermometer
Kitchen towel
Phone timer or an old-fashioned kitchen timer
Heavy-Duty BBQ Mitts for handling hot grates, etc.
Apron or Baseball hat, optional (hat is great for shielding your face from the sun and keeps long hair away from the grill!)
BBQ sauce and a silicone brush, if using sauce
Clean unbreakable rimmed baking sheet for cooked food
2. CHIPS, DIPS, ‘N’ SIPS!
AU: Skip the cheese ‘n’ crackers–save those for the Fall. For Summer, we’re on team CHIPS, DIPS, ‘N’ SIPS! The idea is you want to have a nice spread of snacks out when guests arrive. It is a party, after all!
You don’t have to reinvent the wheel—think guacamole and tortilla chips, veggies with green goddess dip, Pimento Cheese with Pretzel Rods & Celery, Tumbled Tomatoes, Deviled Eggs, Cashew Queso, or even a party mix like Texas Trash…
EK: The simpler the better. Think about festive foods that eat like a treat!
AU: If you’re serving a signature cocktail or mocktail that can be made in a big batch, have a pitcher ready to go, so you can pour your pals a glass the intstant they set their stuff down. I think this sparks the celebratory spirit, plus they’re probably parched from their journey to your abode.
AU: Try Josh’s Pomegranate Margs or one of the recipes from our pal J.M. Hirsch’s new book on Freezer Door Cocktails that you can make way in advance and keep in the freezer.
Hydration is important—especially for outdoor gatherings, so we also like to put out a stack of glasses, like these sturdy french tumblers by Duralex, along with bottles of chilled water, so guests can stay hydrated in the hot Summer sun.
3. SURPRISE TREATS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
AU: If I’m hosting a pool party, I’ll enjoy some pool time for an hour or so, before I get the grill started. As soon as I light the grill (with the lid open), I let it preheat for at least 15 minutes on high (with the lid closed).
While the grill preheats, I set out a Surprise Treat, which is just a lil something the guests can nibble on that won’t fill them up before the main event.
EK: That is such a good idea, plus it makes your guests feel so pampered! Like you’re sitting poolside at a 5-star resort! It fills that time gap between the apps when The Chips, Dips and Sips have been eaten and the main event.
AU: Exactly! This weekend, I just poured a bunch of farmers market cherries into a dish and threw some crushed ice on top of ‘em. The fellas this weekend ooh’d and aah’d when I set them on the side of the pool to enjoy! And they were just two simple ingredients! But it can be anything from cut fruit, popcorn, or seasoned cucumber slices!
EK: Beautiful and Brilliant!!
4. OUTSOURCE PART OF THE PARTY
AU: If you’re hosting, you know you’re gonna get asked “What can I bring?!” This is the time to outsource part of the meal. If your friend/guest is someone whom you can count on to be punctual/early to the gathering, ask them to bring some of the snacks to start the party… I only recommend this if your friend is a Virgo or a Capricorn (IYKYK).
EK: Truly, you don’t want to be waiting on them and the snacks! If your punctual pals are cocktail lovers, have them bring over their signature cocktail! The point is, it doesn’t have to be a culinary project. Your guests just need to be good shoppers!
AU: The other part of the meal that’s great to outsource is dessert. People love bringing their favorite treats from a local bakery, or even a homemade goodie. Our pals Patrick & Evan brought these amazing ice cream sandwiches to our place over the weekend, and we devoured them–the perfect sweet treat to end a perfect day!