Great Garden Party FOOD

Summer is the garden party season and so this second article in a three part series suggests menu tips, recipes and how-to's for that fabulous and well-provisioned garden party -- all the absolute must-have's for the serious (or not so serious) home garden party caterer. (That would probably be you if your garden party is at home and you are the head gardener, top chef and chief bottle washer in charge at your place.)

Food, glorious food! Isn't that what parties are for?! Most definitely, unless, of course, you have an upcoming eclipse to watch and are using that as an excuse to throw a party... but in any case, food is so important to the success of your party. This is especially true for garden parties. Well fed guests are happy guests, and don't you forget it!

Your guests will probably show up ravenously hungry after working hard in their own gardens all day. They do so invariably like to know right away that they will be well fed, so set out some reassuring snacks for them to nibble on as soon as they arrive. Place the snack stations strategically throughout the garden so your invited guests may stroll and munch just as happy as bunnies in the pea patch, raccoons in the corn or deer in the rose garden. You, too, may find those thoughtfully provided snacks a welcome treat while you're doing that last frantic burst of garden tidying! (Do you need to review the all important planning ahead part of garden partydom?)

While Wine and Cheese may be just the right main fare for your crowd, others might prefer more variety or at least something with a bit of meat to it.

In either case, since this is a garden party after all, be sure to include exquisite little home-made specialties garnished with edible flowers. Do try to make something a bit beyond the day to day humdrum! Perhaps a little something quick and easy such as Goat Cheese and Herb Dip with Edible Flowers or the ever popular and simply divine Carrot Cupcakes With Ginger Cream Cheese Icing and Candied Violet Garnish.

To accompany those simple, quick and easy little dishes, whip up a few salads and main dishes artistically concocted with fresh garden produce (For a wonderfully stylish presentation, how about luscious Melon and Prosciutto With Balsamic Vinegar and Fresh Mint!) and of course, don't forget the crocks of refreshing cool drinks chilled with home-grown viola-filled ice cubes and fresh applemint sprigs.

Didn't get around to doing that shamefully quick and easy little violas-in-ice job last spring? Now I did remind you about it, but don't worry -- neither did I. Maybe (unsprayed) rose petals would work instead, but for sweetened drinks don't bother with nasturtiums because they are peppery. Trust me.

In a pinch, cucumber sandwiches are always a hit and besides, running out of violet-laced ice is a great opportunity. What better excuse to distract your guests from the food by using the old "bug in the ice cube" trick!

Remember, just because the party is in a garden doesn't mean you are forced to adhere to a rigidly floral garden theme!

After some little thought about the menu, you might be tempted to take the easy way out and ask your guests to "bring a covered dish" and thus offer a pot luck style buffet, but I only recommend you try that with people you know well and in whose culinary skills you trust wholeheartedly.

If your gustatory risk adversion is as high as mine, rather than leaving things to the mercy of the somewhat unpredictable and often idiosyncratic guest contributions, why not put on an easy no-muss no-fuss homestyle weenie roast (Well, maybe the upscale minted lamb burgers or Classic Sheboygan Brats ) complete with toasting marshmallows around an open bonfire. This provides many opportunities for fine dining and ample openings for the best in entertainment.

For instance, as long as you have that lovely campfire burning, you and your guests might enjoy creating that old standby dessert, S'Mores. At my house these are made in quantity -- marshmallows, a chocolate bar, and generic graham crackers are all it takes,but here is the S'Mores -- yuppified version in case you prefer that.

To counter all that high kickin' sugar, be sure to offer plates of sliced home grown tomatoes, simple salads like lightly steamed zucchini in vinaigrette with a touch of home grown basil, plenty of good crusty bread and maybe a home made fruit cobbler or two. Roasted sweet corn is quick and easy: set the guests to work wrapping the peeled ears in foil with a dash of seasoned salt, a dollop of garlicky butter and a squirt of lime juice. Yum!

What with all this communal cooking and sharing, the food aspect of your party may become a form of entertainment rather than simply a method of providing sustenance. For safety's sake, do be wary of small children with pointed sticks and of course, keep the garden hose handy!

Pit Talk is always popular and combines the best in food and light hearted entertainment, as do choice tidbits like ants in sand. (Or do you think your guests would prefer one of these 45 recipes for marinades for grilling ?) The possibilities are endless!

Now that you've got the food under control, heaven forbid you should have a boring garden party! More about those special provisions for proactive entertainment next week.

ENJOY!

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