Ah, summertime….finally a moment to set the table, outside, and create a really nice summer menu. For the night before the 4th of July, we had incredible weather for the Bay Area, so we brought it all outside. Here was the menu for a dinner party for 8.
Tuna Poke
Andrea’s Tuna Poke (this was really easy to throw together and everyone loved it, including the kids!):
- 1 lb. sushi grade ahi tuna – 1/2″ cubes
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 1 tbsp. sesame oil
- 1 tsp. asian chili oil
- 2 tbsp. ponzu sauce
- 1 minced garlic clove
- 1 sliced green onion
- 2 tbsp. diced cilantro
- 1 tsp. toasted sesame seeds
Mix it all together – spoon onto water crackers – delicious!
Then we set a July table with muted red, white and blue linens, rough burlap underneath (which adds a nice texture), and substantial linen napkins. I added a dark purple dahlia on the table which is a great color contrast to red. Of course, lots of candles, which were just glowing once the sun went down. And the dinner menu was simple and good!
Cedar Planked Salmon Old Fashioned Potato SaladGreen Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Dijon Vinaigrette Sliced Watermelon Blackberry Crisp and Vanilla Ice Cream.
And I almost forgot – the poolside mojitos (scroll down to older posts for the recipe) were delightful. Enjoy your summer!