| The end of a long workday, a lazy Sunday afternoon, your cottage getaway... summer's full of great reasons to get outside and spend time with friends. Summer entertaining should be anything but stressful – so keep it simple, casual and comfortable with our pointers for easy grilling, table-setting and wine-pairing. |
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What's a summer day without the irresistible smoky taste of grilled food? Here are some smart ideas for the best barbecuing you'll ever do.
- Cut down on prep time – let prepared meat sauces do the work for you, so you can spend more time enjoying the company of your guests. Renée's Gourmet Sauces are great on meat, poultry, seafood and tofu – and they double as flavour-packed dips for grilled meats.
- Marinate meats in the refrigerator, in a non-aluminum container or plastic zipper bag. Turn them periodically to ensure even distribution.
- Marinate thin cuts of meat and poultry for up to 3 hours, and leave thicker cuts to marinate up to 24 hours. Seafood shouldn't be marinated longer than 1 hour.
- Use tongs to turn food – forks pierce and let juices escape. Use skewers or grilling baskets for small pieces of meat.
- Baste meats with sauces during the final half-hour of grilling to prevent over-browning. Use a wide pastry brush.
- For picture-perfect grill marks, rotate meats a quarter of a turn before flipping them, then again before removing them from the grill.
- Don't forget to grill up some side dishes alongside your meats. Vegetables are always a welcome addition next to steaks, as burger toppings and in salads and sandwiches.
- Grilling vegetables is easy – just be sure not to let them dry out. Simply cut them into small chunks, marinate with a sauce or vinaigrette for up to 1 hour (try Renée's Gourmet Balsamic or Spring Herb Italian Vinaigrette), then grill, brushing frequently, until skin begins to blister. For even more flavour, glaze with Renée's Gourmet Sesame Ginger Teriyaki or Tangy Thai Sauce.
Small effort, big impact – that's what the outdoor dining experience is all about. A few simple accents are all you need to pull it all together.
- Go for an eclectic look – it's effortless, casual and sets guests at ease. Mismatch china plates and use old cutlery for rustic appeal.
- Use a stark white or floral-print tablecloth for a casual, comfortable look.
Throw a few freshly cut flowers into a vase and put it on the table. Wild flowers look natural in a casual setting – or use whatever you have growing in your garden. - Put out a few appetizers for guests to nibble on while you're grilling. Veggie sticks, olives, crusty bread and pita chips are great alongside bowls of Renée's Gourmet Dips. Make a fast bruschetta topping by mixing chopped tomatoes, green onions, fresh herbs and Renée's Gourmet Mediterranean Greek Vinaigrette, and set it out with pieces of toast.
Wine is the ideal complement for a fabulous grilled meal. Choosing the right bottle is easier than you think.
- For the perfect drink to go with your chosen dish, just match the characteristics of the food with the wine.
- Pair white meats and seafood with light-bodied white wines. A grilled vegetable salad with chicken, for example, is great accompanied by a Sauvignon Blanc.
The bolder the meat, the bolder the wine. Rich red meats and steaks grilled with Creole Dijon, Sesame Ginger Teriyaki or Roasted Garlic & Honey Sauce are best paired with full-bodied red wines like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. - For dishes with a spicy kick, like grilled chicken basted with Tangy Thai Sauce, choose a light-bodied blush or rosé wine, like a white Merlot.
- Chill white and blush wines in a bucket of ice before serving. Serve wine in any glass with a stem and bowl shape.