Outdoor entertaining is fun!  It is fun because it can be casual and therefore much less intimidating with endless menu options.  Some of my favourite choices include foods that can be barbecued and then served easily outside.  Recipes with simple and fresh ingredients that highlight the natural flavours of the food.  Let me share some with you!

Cedar Planked Salmon is probably my favourite.  

This is a truly delicious and fun way to prepare and serve salmon with so many variations depending on   your preference of flavours.  It is also very easy to prepare and is served beautifully on the cedar plank. My favourite toppings are capers, finely diced red onion and then fresh dill topped with thin slices of lemon.

Buttermilk Chicken Skewers……always a hit!!

These melt in you mouth chicken kebabs are absolutely heavenly in part due to the fact that they are prepared and then sit in a buttermilk marinade seasoned with worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper and fresh rosemary prior to barbecuing. 

Salad Nicoise……what a treat!!

Beautifully seared tuna, sliced and served on a bed of fresh butter lettuce along with some par-boiled new potatoes, sliced hard boiled eggs, black olives, cherry tomatoes, freshly steamed green beans and then sprinkled with mustard chive vinaigrette!!  Simple, fresh and delicious.

 A Charcuterie Board….so many variations and the presentation is fun!

I have a collection of wooden boards that I use to serve various types of cheeses and cured meats.  It is fun to experiment and try new things and then add nuts, dried fruits, olives, crisps…etc.  Let your imagination guide you!

Hope you are feeling inspired for some outdoor entertaining!!