Waterloo, ON— Planning a backyard party for friends and family is the perfect way to celebrate the warm weather now that it’s finally arrived. In fact, there really is nothing like a good meal and good company al fresco, especially during our short Canadian summers.
But outdoor entertaining comes with its own pitfalls: the hot sun, wind and of course, the threat of rain. And when invited to a backyard pot luck, there’s always the challenge of finding that perfect dish that travels well but still offers the “wow” factor. Also, how exactly, do you keep food fresh and delicious once it’s been sitting outside?
Experts recommend keeping it simple and remembering the details. Chef Tim McRoberts from Charlottetown, P.E.I. says that selecting the right food is very important. “When I host a party outside, I want to create or use recipes that are not only very simple to make, but that will stay fresh outside for as long as possible. I do this by displaying smaller portions which I refresh or exchange often.” McRoberts says this is a great strategy for foods that need to remain hot or cold and even those that taste best at room temperature. He adds, “To help cold foods stay cold on a really hot day, you can place the serving dish on a larger one filled with ice in the shade.”
Catfish Antipasto is the perfect appetizer for cocktails on the patio: it’s healthy, easy to make on the grill, and because it’s made in advance, this recipe offers that all-important time to relax with your guests when they arrive. And it’s served at room temperature, so with a couple of platters for a large crowd there’s time for everyone to be served. If you grill some extra catfish, why not use it in Grilled Catfish Over Mixed Greens, a summer salad that can be made in only minutes.
Enjoy the summer!
