During warm evenings full of light and balmy nights under the moon, our senses are heightened. These moments in time are for savoring the sweet, sensual flavors of midsummer.
A simple summer party can be magical. There’s something enchanting about eating alfresco with friends and enjoying an evening under the stars, kicking off our shoes to feel the grass under our feet.
But what to serve? The beauty of summer is in celebrating the fresh and seasonal, those special things that only this season affords that we wait all year to enjoy: lush melons, juicy peaches, spicy peppers, and fresh vegetables plucked from our garden. And herbs, lots of summer herbs. Prepared simply, we can let their flavors shine.
Kick off the evening with a fresh summer drink to bring everyone together and toast the evening with friendship, camaraderie, and enjoyment of the moment.
Read on to discover five dishes that will make your midsummer menu complete—perfect for a magical evening under the stars.
Sparkling Raspberry Thyme Lemonade
Infused with fresh summer thyme and raspberries, this refreshing spritzer is full of flavor, but won’t go to your head. Topped off with a dash of soda to give it some sparkle, this not-too-sweet soda is a sophisticated sipper perfect to kick off a summer evening. You may want to make double batch.
Watermelon Tartar with Smoked Paprika, Orange Zest, and Marcona Almonds
This elegant appetizer is refreshing and surprisingly toothsome. A quick time on the grill and a bit of hot Spanish paprika give watermelon a hint of smoky flavor. The simple, yet elegant presentation brings a special feel to the evening.
Grilled Spatchcocked Chicken with Summer Herbs and Serrano Plum Drizzle
Garden herbs are bountiful in summer. Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme work in harmony with garlic and paprika in this yogurt-based marinade. Slathered over a spatchcocked chicken, which shortens cooking time, the marinade helps to tenderize and add fragrance to the meat prior to grilling or roasting. The finishing touch is fresh plum salsa, with a hit of gentle spicy heat, served slightly warmed and drizzled over the chicken before serving.
Roasted Red Pepper Salad with Hazelnuts
Luscious red, yellow, and orange peppers are a summer treat. Grilling intensifies their flavor, and the liquor they produce as they cool is the perfect starter for a delicious dressing. Olive oil, cumin, coriander, and smoked paprika join the party, finished off with a sprinkling of toasted hazelnuts.
Grilled Peaches with Rosemary Hot Honey, Yogurt, and Lemon Thyme
Peaches define the simplicity of summer. Juicy fruit, full of flavor, is made even more delicious with a quick grill, finished with a dollop of yogurt. Topping the warm fruit is a surprising twist: a drizzle of sweet and spicy hot honey finished with a dash of herbaceous lemon flavor.
This collection originally appeared on alive.com as “Once Upon a Midsummer’s Night.”
