Hosting is hard enough, especially if you don’t have a caterer or huge team behind you. Stand out as a host and kick off summer grilling season with unexpected menu items that you can put on the grill, beyond the meat that usually first comes to mind when you think of grilling. These are great and easy dishes to make in advance and either pull out of the fridge or flash on the grill so you’re not away from your guests for too long during your event. The host should enjoy the party as well!
To hear more about Chef Meg’s Memorial Day broadcast segment, where she demonstrated unexpected treats & sips for viewers, the recording can be found on the KLTA’s website here.
Elevated Side Dishes
Summer Refresh Salad: Watermelon balls, feta cheese, mint leaves, & arugula with lemon vinaigrette
- Why It’s Cool: Watermelon is an amazing fruit flavor that always makes people think of summer. They make for a fresh and refreshing seasonal salad, especially when everyone is hot on Memorial Day weekend. These flavors go together so well and you can easily make this and put it in the fridge until you’re ready to eat it so you can spend more time with your guests. I enjoy using a scooper to make round melon balls, and I recommend having the dressing on the side in a nice jar so that the salad doesn’t get soggy if serving buffet style.
House-made honey butter corn on the cob with Maldon salt
- Why It’s Hot: Corn is another quintessential summer staple, and a lot of times people don’t think to add any extra flavor. I’ve added salted honey butter before I put them on the grill; that really makes it pop and it’s one of nature’s original to-go foods, great for carrying while walking around a backyard.
Grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese
- Why It’s Cool: Cut zucchini lengthwise into ¼ inch ribbons, as you don’t want it any smaller or you risk it falling through the grates in the grill. For the zucchini temperature, you’ll want to serve either room temp or cold; you don’t want them hot because it wouldn’t work well with the ricotta; either pre-grill them and set them aside on a counter or give them some time in the fridge after grilling. Dollop on fresh ricotta cheese, and serve topped with fresh mint and maldon salt. You can either add on with walnuts if you’re aware that your guests don’t have nut allergies, otherwise you can have them in a jar next to your grilled zucchini ribbons for guests to add themselves.
Desserts
Fresh grilled yellow peaches with balsamic reduction and a scoop of vanilla ice cream
- Why It’s Cool: It’s easy to get hung up on getting hung up on making a complicated show-stopping dessert when you’re having people over, like cake or pastries, but not everyone has that kind of time. Peaches are in season during the summer and are incredible in Southern California, especially when you get them from a farmers market. While the grill is on, cut a few yellow peaches in half, get them nice and warm, pop them off the grill, and chop them into bite-sized pieces. Once you have your peaches ready, place them in a bowl for your guests to enjoy over a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and finish with balsamic reduction for an extra blast of flavor. You’ll want to use yellow peaches because white peaches brown much faster, and, if possible, use freestone peaches so that the fruit easily pulls away from the pit. Even better, this is another gluten free dessert – perfect for any of your surprise gluten-free guests.
Chilled watermelon popsicles
- Why It’s Cool: Another fun way to use chilled watermelons is as a healthy popsicle alternative. Cut them into triangles, stick a popsicle stick in the rind, set them on a platter, and store in the fridge until it’s showtime. It’s an easy, natural, no-added-sugar gluten free popsicle stick that parents will appreciate. If you want to spike them with alcohol for the adults 21+, after you cut the watermelons into triangles and right before you serve them, drizzle vodka over the top, then let it sit in the fridge until your adult guests are ready to party.
Beverages
Mocktail: Watermelon Mint Refresher
- Why It’s Cool: Have a pre-batched and labeled mocktail in a glass dispenser next to a bottle of your favorite vodka for the adults ready to party. Our Watermelon Mint Refresher, also lovingly known as a Watermelon Mint Spritz, is made with fresh watermelon juice, watermelon chunks (both to go into the dispenser and on the side to go in the glassware), fresh squeezed lime juice, house made mint syrup, fresh mint leaves, and soda water. To garnish, we recommend both a dehydrated lime wheel and fresh mint sprig.
Catering an event, regardless of the occasion, is an exciting and overwhelming process. If you are looking for a caterer for your upcoming event in Southern California, please contact us to learn about our services and our menu options. You can also follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration and a peak at our most recent work!
