The Party Days Of August

It's the height of summer and also the height of party giving. With summer get togethers you can throw away the formalities and loosen up. You can throw a big do but it can be just as relaxed as a casual get together.

What works? Grilled food. Hamburgers and hot dogs may seem like the easiest but you can also have kabobs and fillets too. You may also want to go with a cold plate such as Italian cold cuts served with cheese and fresh (however make sure you do this in a well air conditioned kitchen otherwise it can get too hot) This works for baked ham or chicken. Have simple sides such as cold potato salad or macaroni salad. Building a barbecue pit in the backyard and having a Southern style get together is another fun idea.

How do you end a perfect get together? Some would say ice cream but I think I'd rather go for a sorbet of different ices. You can buy buckets of ice at your local Rita's. Another idea is to layer ice with fresh cut fruit for a refreshing meal ender. If you're intent on serving cake then go with the lighter fare. Angel food cake whipped cream and strawberries are a lovely way to end a party. You can also have store bought meringues too. These are light and airy with the right amount of crunch.

A summer gathering should be fun and casual. You don' t have to make a big effort to give a lavish party. Ease up! It's August!