Summer Entertaining Essentials

Summer get togethers don't have to be elaborate affairs. Sometimes, it's best to keep it to simple snacks and cocktails. This week, Khalil shares his favorite summer entertaining staples.

By Khalil Hymore

Summer is finally here--HALLELUJAH! After a cold winter and a VERY rainy Spring, it's nice to finally bust out the shorts and flip-flops. I don't know about you, but I also find that summer is the time for last minute, impromptu get togethers.

Here in the East, a sunny Summer day free from thunderstorms or melting humidity is a cause for a last minute picnic, barbecue, or dinner party, even on a weeknight. Sometimes it's nice to just have a few friends over for snacks and cocktails--and maybe a walk along the East River.

To ensure that these quickly thrown together events don't feel so quickly thrown together, it's important to make sure that your fridge and pantry are always well stocked.

Canned Beans

In general, I am not a huge fan of opening cans when I cook, canned beans are a huge exception (canned tomatoes too!). Not only do they cut the cooking time of recipes in half, but can quickly be added to salads for an extra dose of protein and puréed into dips for a snack in a flash (see this weeks recipe!).

Jarred Roasted Red Peppers

A key ingredient in any antipasti platter (THE easiest Summer appetizer--just let your local Italian market do all of the work for you!), keeping a jar of roasted red peppers on hand ensures that you can whip up an easy meal for a guest any night of the week. Swap them for tomatoes for a unique take on gazpacho, layer them with basil and fresh mozzarella on toast, or dice them up and combine them with with chopped onions, minced garlic, a splash of white wine vinegar, and a pinch of sugar for an easy and quick steak relish.

Water Crackers

I don't know about you, but my friends always bring cheese to my house for dinner parties. The problem? They inevitably forget to bring crackers or a loaf of bread to serve it on, which is why I always make sure to keep water crackers (the go with any cheese) on hand--just in case! One more tip--buy the Whole Foods 365 brand. They're half the price of Carr's, just as tasty, and organic!

Fresh Herbs

I am never without a full assortment of fresh herbs (especially now that I grow them on my windowsill). Obviously, you can cook with them, but in the Summer it's great to add them raw to many dishes. Try an assortment of herb leaves tossed with into a salad, chopped and sprinkled on your next cheese board, even sprinkled over desserts and ice cream. When I worked in the pastry department at Craftsteak restaurant, we used to pick baby basil, thyme, mint, and tarragon leaves garnish our dessert plates with them.

Puff Pastry

Is there anything puff pastry cannot make better? Keeping this on hand always ensures happy guests. You could, of course, make the puff pastry yourself (ahem...Martha?), but trust me--it's a lot of work. I don't especially think it is worth it, especially when Pepperidge Farm and Dufour make perfectly good puff pastry. Cut sheets of pastry into thin strips and top with cheese for easy cheese straws or bake off small squares and top with whipped mascarpone cheese and fresh berries for a super simple dessert. Of course, there is always Scott's old stand-by appetizer--baked brie! Seal a small wheel in sheet of pastry and bake it off for crowd-pleasing first course.

To make this week's recipe, White Bean Bruschetta (check back on Thursday!) you'll need:

From the pantry:

• extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 15-ounce can small white beans or cannellini beans
• kosher or sea salt
• ground black pepper
  

From the market:

• 1 loaf baguette
• 1 bunch fresh parsley
• 1 small shallot
• 1 head garlic
• 1 lemon
• Parmesan cheese 

Download the printable Shopping List here: