SUMMER PARTY PLAYBOOK

Seven list for easy, breezy entertaining from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Hello!

We’re racing right into the Memorial Day weekend, and it’s a BIG ONE this year. Usually, the big to-do in our small town is the Memorial Day parade that marches right past our front door on Monday morning. If you’re a regular around here, you’ve heard me talk about it (see pictures and my parade brunch menus here and here). But this year, we also have a wedding for one of our dear VIPS, a post-wedding brunch, bonfires, ballet rehearsals, two parties, and some eighth-grade-graduation dress shopping.

Now, more than ever, I need to lean on my entertaining formulas—the things I can squeeze into the few minutes between running kids to rehearsals and games while still hosting friends for dinner.

I thought I’d put them all here—the recipes and menus I rely on that are easy to mix and match. Bookmark this for your summer cheat sheet. I’ll be using it, too.

xx

Sarah

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SEVEN LISTS FOR SUMMER:

My easiest, low-lift dishes to serve from Memorial Day to Labor Day for picnics, potlucks, summer parties, and summer dinners on the lawn with your crew.

Seven Salad (ish) Stars to Take to the Picnic

Salad Nicoise  (pictured)

Whipped Feta with Plum, Tomatoes and Avocados (above)

Greek Salad (like the Greeks Do it)

Grilled Corn, Tomato and Avocado Pasta Salad 

Green Bean Salad with Potatoes, Capers and Eggs

Peaches with Burratta, Proscuitto and Fresh Herbs

Prosciutto and Melon with Kale and Caper Berries

Six Please-All Sweets to Make Ahead

Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cake

Gluten-Free Double Chocolate Blondies (pictured)

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Lovers Rice Krispy Treats

Strawberry Sheet Cake

Perfect Ratio Oatmeal-Raisin Cookies

Orange, Olive Oil, and Almond Torte

Five Blockbuster Breakfasts for Feeding A Crowd:

Best Berry Scones

My favorite Summer Pancake (pictured)

Oatmeal Yogurt Pancakes with Blackberry Crush (double it!)

Bacon, Egg, and avocado Toast with Turmeric Drizzle

A Golden Era Granola

Four Favorite Summery Fish Dinners:

Mahi Mahi Kebabs with Avocado Pesto and Herbs

Seared Swordfish with Tomatoes, Olives, and Frizzled Leeks

Summer Seafood Pasta (pictured)

Instant Pot Coconut Salmon with Fresh Herbs and Lime

Three Goes-With-Anything Dips:

Romesco Sauce

Avocado Hummus Platter (pictured)

Creamy Tahini Green Goddess Dressing

Two All-in-One-Pan Chicken Dinners

Skillet Chicken with Orzo, Dill, and Feta

Oven Baked Chicken with Lemon and Olives (pictured)

One Foolproof Cornbread to Serve with Everything

My Best (Easy!) Cornbread

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Photos by Tara Donne, Kate Sears, Harrison Lubin, Sarah Copeland and Sara Remington