Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party

Dinner Party Diaries – Volume 2 Issue 14 – Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party

There are some days (okay many days) when work takes longer than anticipated, and the time you thought you would have to prepare for a dinner party gets cut down to razor thin margins.  At that point, you can either be stressed about it or take it as an opportunity to pick some of the simplest dishes in your repertoire, toss them together, and then sit back and unwind with some friends.  

Take some inspiration from the simplicity, invite over some friends, and unwind over some tasty food.    

The Details

Number of People: 6

Serving Style: Buffet

Guest Arrival Time: 7:00 pm-ish

The Menu for Our Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party

Appetizers

Let’s start off with some simple appetizers.  Some of the favorites that I circle back to time and again include sliced salami or pepperoni (keep it simple with pre-sliced and prepackaged ones from the cheese and cracker section of the grocery store or grab something fancy like a truffle infused soppressata.  Along similar lines, I will also usually put out a bowl of olives and / or giardiniera.  

Entrée

For the entrée of this Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party, I’m going with a recipe that is already easy and then making it even easier.  What is this tasty triumph?  It’s my Sautéed Chicken and Zucchini Skillet.  However, to keep things as quick as possible, I’m following the cheats listed in the recipe and using pre-cooked chicken cubes (thawed) and Greek Seasoning in place of all the other spices.  

Sautéed Chicken and Zucchini Skillet

Sides

I’m keeping the sides fresh and simple for this menu with some Simple Roasted Asparagus and a Tropical Keto Chayote Salad. 

Simple Roasted Asparagus

Tropical Keto Chayote Salad

Dessert

Finally for dessert, I’ve got these Keto Blueberry Spice Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting.  I will tell you now that you can go as simple as you like and skip the frosting.  Or . . . you could go all-out and turn them into some pretty little Cookie Towers.  

Keto Blueberry Spice Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting

Wine Pairing Suggestions

In a nod to warm weather and a lighter menu, we’ll keep the wine pairings on the lighter side as well.  For my red, I’m going with a pinot noir, specifically a Twomey Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (2018).  On the white wine side of things, I’ve got this French Colombard: Peju Province Winery French Colombard Carnival )2023). 

• Twomey Pinot Noir Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley (2018)
• Peju Province Winery French Colombard Carnival )2023)

Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party Recipe Ideas

Sautéed Chicken and Zucchini Skillet

Simple and easily made with flavorful chicken and slices of zucchini, this Sautéed Chicken and Zucchini Skillet is the perfect one-skillet dish to add to your repertoire.

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Simple Roasted Asparagus

Quick, easy, and delicious, this perfectly al dente Simple Roasted Asparagus makes an elegant side for a dinner party or an easy weeknight meal.

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Tropical Keto Chayote Salad

While I may be new to the chayote squash game, I'm ready to sign up for the fan club. This Tropical Keto Chayote Salad is yet another great illustration of this squash's versatility. This salad is super easy to make and mixes several bright flavors with no cooking required, making it the perfect addition to an Easy Summer Dinner Party menu.

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Keto Blueberry Spice Cookies with Lemon Frosting

Bursting with juicy blueberries and a heavenly blend of spices, these Keto Blueberry Spice Cookies with Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting are sure to satisfy your sweet tooth without overloading on carbs and sugar. And the creamy, tangy Lemon Cream Cheese Frosting takes them to the next level of deliciousness! Whether you’re a die-hard Blueberry lover or just looking for a healthier treat, these cookies are a must-try.

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Grocery List for Our Easy Peasy Summer Dinner Party

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