Summer Entertaining Ideas to Keep Your Cool
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(StatePoint) Hosting warm weather gatherings is a perfect way to spend time with friends and family in summer. Reduce stress by following these four simple tips for a great summer soiree that both you and your guests will enjoy.
<p align="center"><strong>Pick a Theme</strong>
Get started by choosing a theme for your summer celebration. A defined focus will allow you to quickly narrow down menu and décor selections. Easy ideas include seasonally inspired concepts, like Christmas in July; location-specific parties, such as a Hawaiian luau or Parisian café; and era themes, like the Roaring Twenties.
<p align="center"><strong>Streamline Your Menu</strong>
Looking for <a href="https://www.vitamix.com/Find-Recipes" rel="nofollow">recipes</a> that require little prep work but are sure to please? Consider whipping up a large batch of seasonal appetizers, such as guacamole, a yogurt-based vegetable dip or a cold soup.
Make a style statement by serving them in glass shooters with chips, veggies or pita bread for perfectly sized servings. Slow-cook a few chicken breasts ahead of time that can be shredded and quickly tossed with a delicious sauce for healthy sliders.
When selecting desserts, use seasonal ingredients. A mixture of sliced fruits pairs well with pieces of shortcake on skewers that can be assembled ahead of time. <a href="https://www.vitamix.com/Find-Recipes/O/R/Orange-Sorbet?RSRCH=1" rel="nofollow">Sorbets</a> are also simple to make in a blender and only require a few ingredients -- fruit, ice and a sweetener. By choosing recipes that allow you to prep some elements ahead of time, you'll find yourself with more time to mix and mingle.
<p align="center"><strong>Select a Useful Kitchen Sidekick</strong>
When fixing your menu, a must-have kitchen partner is a high-performance blender that does all the hard work for you. One versatile option, the <a href="https://www.vitamix.com/shop/Professional-Series-750.aspx" rel="nofollow">Vitamix Professional Series 750</a>, features five pre-programmed settings, including programs for smoothies and frozen desserts, helping reduce prep time and cleanup, and allowing you to create a variety of delicious party recipes.
With a Vitamix you can much more easily chop ingredients for gazpachos, salsas and coleslaws; achieve a silky smooth texture for hummus and spreads; emulsify vinaigrettes and marinades; quickly prepare seasonal sorbets; and even blend frothy frozen beverages.
<p align="center"><strong>Make Beverages a Breeze</strong>
Ensure your guests have easy access to drinks and will avoid running for refills, by setting up a station with pre-mixed, thirst-quenching beverages housed in large glass or plastic dispensers. This station will help you create a central beverage zone and get imaginative with drink concoctions.
Mixtures of <a href="https://www.vitamix.com/Find-Recipes/F/R/Frosty-Basil-Lemonade?RSRCH=1" rel="nofollow">lemonades</a> or flavor-infused waters are the perfect combination for keeping everyone cool on a warm day. For a more unique approach, let guests personalize drinks with flavored simple syrups, frozen fruits and -- for added flair -- frozen herb ice cubes, which are a great way to add refreshing flavors. Complete the beverage station by labeling the drink options with small chalkboard signs and display a collection of seasonal cups and colorful straws.
With just a bit of creative planning and pre-event prep work, you'll be ready to host stress-free parties and enjoy more time with your guests this summer.
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Photo Credit: (c) Nathan Dreimiller
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