Summer Loves...My Entertaining Favorites!

I hope to make this a summer of connection through celebration! Here are a few of my suggestions for an entertaining summer! 

Let's make this the summer of SILLY. Everyone arm yourselves with a great joke and maybe your opening line...
I live with a six-year-old, so here is my latest guffaw...

My corny joke to inspire your SILLY summer-"Why did the banana go to the doctor? He wasn't peeling well".

Service Counts- I love a festive plate. These are French by Astier De Villatte, but the red, white and blue really tug at my American heart strings! The cups are nice too! You can find them state side at John Derian in NYC.

Assiette a Dessert avec motif

Gobelet Petit Cube

Assiette Plate

Eatin' La Vida Loca-  Quick, easy and tasty summer recipes are essential to have on hand so you are ready for any impromptu parties. This says hello summer fiesta to me!

Elizabeth Gordon's Beef Tostadas from her new book "Simply Allergy Free".

Beef Tostadas Ingredients

1/4 teaspoon chipotle chile powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic salt

1/4 teaspoon onion salt

1 teaspoon dried oregano

1 teaspoons ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 pound ground sirloin

8 gluten- and soy-free corn tostadas (you can use a Boston lettuce leaf here too, my suggestion)

Diced tomato, avocado, red onion, Daiya cheese, shredded lettuce, and cilantro for serving (optional)

1. In a small bowl, stir together the chipotle chile powder, garlic salt, onion salt, dried oregano, cumin, and salt. Set aside.
2. In a large skillet, brown the beef over medium-high heat until it is cooked through, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently to break up any large chunks of meat. .
3. Remove the beef from the heat and drain off the fat. Sprinkle with the spice mix and stir so that the spices are evenly incorporated. Spoon the meat into the tostado shells and serve immediately, garnished as desired.
4. The unused meat may be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to three days.

Note: To make your own tostada shells, take corn tortillas and fry them in 3–4 inches of canola oil heated to 350°F for about 2 minutes or until they are crisp and golden. Remove the fried tortillas to a paper towel–lined tray to drain.

Time to be a TOOL- Well in this case, a handy tool, at least. This Zyliss Salad Knife make shredding lettuce a breeze. Given that summer salads are one of my cool foods. I highly recommend this. It makes for a great hostess gift too!


http://usa.zyliss.com/salad-knife
(photo from naturally domestic)

Drink Your Veggies- I love a good juice that Riley, my 6-year-old and I, can enjoy together. We are working on our Kale ideas... so next up we are giving this a try!

Kale Shake
1 banana, 10 chunks of frozen mango, chunk of ginger, Tbl spoon of coconut oil, 1/2 of cucumber, 3 kale leaves, parsley. All organic if possible. 
This is from the site http://duncantrussell.com/forum/profile/6045/Dyson

"Beet the Heat"cocktail fun- No Summer Soiree of mine would be complete with out a fun grown up drink too! 

This signature cocktail is from my local haunt and fav family restaurant Elizabeth's Neighborhood Tavern. It is called "Elizabeth’s Sweet Beet"
Vermont Gold Vodka (fresh beet infused), fresh Orange Juice, Pineapple Juice, Maple syrup. Served Straight up...compliments of the bartender at Elizabeth's Neighborhood Table

Never leave home empty handed- Here are a few of this summers born to succeed hostess gift ideas-

C Wonder has a variety of fun and festive home items! I LOVE straws, partner these stripes with some fun cups and your favorite lemonade and Voila, you have a colorful present.

http://www.cwonder.com/new-arrivals/home-decor/striped-paper-straws-set-of-25.html

I LOVE summer flowers. These look like Dahila's and Marigolds. Pair them with a hand crafted fluted vase from Frances Palmer Pottery and you will be the flower belle of the ball!


fluted vase
http://francespalmerpottery.com/china-dinnerware-wedding-gifts.php?itemid=F198805

Send me your summer tips! Cheers to celebrating every day!