Summer Dinner Party Menu Ideas

Hosting a dinner party in summer sounds like a hassle, but with the right summer dinner party menu ideas, it need not be so. All you need is the right combination of food and drinks to throw a rocking party. A summer dinner party should be laid back and fun and your menu should reflect this. Try to have food and courses that can be made well ahead of time, so that on the day of the dinner party, you are not slaving over a hot saucepan. Prepare a good mix of cold and hot items and remember to also focus on the drinks. Getting a mixture of some classic cocktails, as well as punch makes sense as your guests will be thirsty on a hot summer night. Here are some menu ideas for a summer dinner party.

Ideas for Summer Dinner Party

When you are looking for menu ideas for a summer dinner party, try to opt for food that can be prepared well in advance. The appetizers are a very important part of a dinner and you need at least five to six varieties of both hot as well as cold appetizers for your guests. There are many starters that can be made beforehand. If you are having a sit down dinner party with 7 to 8 intimate friends, then it is a good idea to make a refreshing summer soup or a cold gazpacho. A simple soup that is garnished elegantly with mint sprigs or a dollop of fresh cream makes a great impression on the guests. Another great summer dinner party ideas is to serve salad with a good dressing. You can wash and tear the salad leaves, well in advance and also make the dressing beforehand. When your guests arrive, it will take you only a couple of minutes to toss and dress the salad. On the other hand, if you are having more guests in your dinner party then you will need to make bite sized appetizers that guests can have, without the help of any silverware or cutlery. Good examples of such appetizers are mini tartlets, crab cakes, deviled eggs and tomato bruschetta.

For the main course, try to incorporate as many seasonal and fresh fruits and vegetables as possible. Summer vegetables like artichokes, snap peas, asparagus and watercress pair well with any meat and poultry dishes and you should make the best of it. One pot dishes like pot roast, paella, chicken casserole, beef stroganoff and chili are excellent make ahead entrees, that require very little effort on your part to prepare. All you have to do is brown the vegetables and sear the meat and pop the dish in the oven for a couple of hours, and the dish is ready. Whatever you prepare, do not experiment with new dishes for your summer dinner party. Stick to dishes and preparations that you know and are sure to pull off with minimal stress. For the dessert course, keep it simple with just two to three desserts like a chocolate mousse, crème brûlée, a light custard bread pudding or just homemade ice cream with fresh fruits. Do not forget to provide some side dishes like grilled asparagus, steamed baby carrots and garlic mashed potatoes to make your summer dinner party menu complete. If you follow these easy dinner party ideas, you are sure to have a very successful party.

Summer Dinner Party Recipe Ideas

Here is a selection of easy recipes for a summer dinner party.

Menu	Drinks and Cocktails	Appetizers	Main Course	Desserts
Asian Inspired Menu	Kumquat Mohito Lychee Martini Singapore Sling Asian Pear Martini	Steamed Chicken Wontons Mini Spring Rolls Salt and Pepper Squid Spiced Coconut Prawns Spicy Tuna Rolls Chicken Satay	Thai Green Curry Chinese Barbecued Roast Pork Roasted Teriyaki Spareribs Roasted Ducks with Tangerine-Hoisin Glaze Soy Glazed Chicken Thighs	Mango Ice cream Coconut Custard Korean Sweet Rice Balls Rice Pudding
Mediterranean Inspired Menu	Fresh Mint Margaritas Sangria Pomegranate Martini Bellini	Skewered Rosemary Shrimp Prosciutto wrapped Melon Gazpacho Warm Marinated Olives with Herbs Crab Fritters	Seared Mediterranean Tuna Steaks Seared Scallops with Lemon Orzo Lamb Chops with Pistachio Gremolata Grilled Eggplant with Roasted Red Pepper Red Mullet with Tomatoes and Olives	Pear Strudel Chocolate Amaretto Soufflés Lemon Tart Caramelized Peaches with Mascarpone
Classic American Menu	Vodka Gimlet Fresh Lemonade Peach Granita Strawberry Margarita	Marinated Shrimp Cheese stuffed Tomatoes Deviled Eggs Mini Crab Cakes Sweet Potato Tartlets	Grilled Salmon with Grape Relish Herb Stuffed Chicken Breast Mushroom Ragout Beef Wellington Grilled Flank Steak with Garlic Sauce	Boston Cream Pie Raspberry Tart Peach Ice cream Blueberry Cheesecake
Italian Inspired Menu	Watermelon Bellini Limoncello Americano Bicicletta	Tomato Bruschetta Mini Smoked Salmon Pizzas Caponata with Garlic Crostini Fried Calamari with Aioli Shrimp Cocktail	Penne with Vodka Sauce Lobster Ravioli with Lobster Sauce Risotto with Arugula and Toasted Garlic Tomato, Spinach and Mascarpone Gnocchi Spinach and Feta Cannelloni	Strawberry Shortcake with Mascarpone Passion fruit Soufflés Tiramisu Cucumber Granita

These were some summer dinner party menu ideas. Do not forget to get out your fancy china with decorative napkins to have an unforgettable dinner party.