Summer is on its way, which means lots of lovely long evenings and weekends spent outside in the garden. Why not make the most of the weather with some al fresco dining? This Mediterranean feast is so simple to put together, and looks most impressive if you have guests over:
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are so easy to make, but look bright and delicious on the table. Simply drizzle your hollowed out peppers with olive oil and stuff with your choice of filling, before roasting. Rice and couscous make great stuffing – maybe add chopped olives and feta cheese for a Greek twist?
Alternatively, use a ready made stuffing mix – apricot and almond or chestnut, celery and chive, for example.
Tapas Selection
Arrange mixed olives, sundried tomatoes and maybe some sweet peppers stuffed with soft cheese in bowls and set out with cocktail sticks for dinner guests to help themselves. Don’t forget lots of crusty bread for mopping up the herby oils.
Simple Salads
A Mediterranean salad is so quick and easy to whip up, but makes perfect warm weather food. For Greek salad add feta, olives, red onion and cherry tomatoes to romaine lettuce, and for an Italian twist, simply arrange sliced mozzarella cheese and beefeater tomatoes on a platter with fresh basil leafs. Serve both with a fresh olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing and liberal salt and pepper seasoning.
BBQ Meats
For those who think that dining al fresco just isn’t worth doing unless the barbie is on the go, Calnan Brothers BBQ meat hampers have everything that you need to please a crowd. Choose from 3 different BBQ selection boxes, including a gourmet box (perfect for special occasions) and you’re ready to pull on that pinny and fire up the BBQ!
Drinks
Once the food is sorted, make sure that the refreshments are just as good. You can’t beat an ice cold beer or lemonade, but if you fancy sticking with the Mediterranean theme, why not make up a jug of sangria? Don’t forget to add sliced oranges for an authentic touch.
This summer, why not bring a taste of the Med to your back garden, with a Mediterranean feast al fresco?