
I love to talk about savvy entertaining, which means smart and efficient, but to me it also means simple. Sometimes in the summer time the days are so full, it’s hard to want to spend time in the kitchen.
Here is a TIP: If you don’t have a tray to carry out your dishes to the back patio entertaining area on, USE A BOX! Or even a laundry basket will work.

It’s also way too easy to remain in our comfort zones and not try something new, so we tend to fall back to our signature dishes in the summertime, which I say is A-Okay!
In my new book (hardback, colored photography), The Reluctant Entertainer, the book is not only full of recipes, but it also offers a savvy approach to help women break free of the anxieties that keep them from opening their homes!
My go-to menu in the summertime is often this:
Appetizer: Cheese, crackers and fresh fruit. Maybe chips and salsa for the kiddos.
Main Dish: BBQ and marinate the day before or early in the morning. Or try my very easy “last minute” Sweet Savory Steaks, also included in my book.
Prepare anything you can the day before.
Salad: Straight from our garden (or take advantage of your local Farmer’s Market!)
Dessert: Store bought pound cake (Brad’s Strawberry Coulis) and fresh fruit is perfect for guests, with little time in the kitchen and more time to spend with your guests.
With easy summer entertaining you can enjoy watching your kids while they play in the back yard! My kids are growing up, as you can see, but I had years of entertaining with little kids. Years …

Now on to the GIVEAWAY!

2 WINNERS
Win a signed copy of The Reluctant Entertainer. (Read more about the book, here.)Tweet, Facebook or post on your blog
Do one of the above to have 2 chances of winning. Two of the above to have 3, etc. (Come back to tell me.)WINNER on FRIDAY
Come back this Friday and I’ll announce the winners!ANSWER THIS QUESTION:
Do you try new recipes in the summertime or do you pretty much stick to tried and true, oldies but goodies?
The Reluctant Entertainer is now in most book stores, and also available here on my blog if you would like a signed copy. Mela Kamin is also giving a copy away over at her place today. Check out Mela, singer, songwriter and speaker – HERE - for another chance to win!























