With these surreal days showing no signs of abating, you are probably still spending more time than you normally would be stuck at home. No matter how much we adore our interiors, we might yearn for some physical human contact, the chance to socialize, and the opportunity to relax with friends. As the lockdowns caused by coronavirus have begun easing, we are now able to spend time with pals at a social distance in outdoor spaces. This means that you can open up your garden for a barbecue, an al fresco dinner party, or just a chilled out soiree with your nearest and dearest.
In the summer, it makes sense to spend more time outside amongst nature and soaking up the rays of the sun. You can soak up some Vitamin D and enjoy your circadian rhythm becoming more regulated because of the natural light. However, dining is a sociable activity that we long to welcome back into our lives. While you might not feel comfortable heading out to your favorite eatery with pals just yet, consider hosting a summer al fresco gathering in your back garden. Once you begin eating outdoors, you’ll never go back.
The Food
The most important aspect of any dining experience is the gastronomic fayre that you rustle up. You could opt for the one-pot meal and go for something big and hearty, but the balmy weather might make the eating experience uncomfortable for your guests. Instead, go for a menu that is light and exciting. Think about following this traditional greek salad recipe for either a starter or a side dish to the main. When you choose an authentic dish like this, you can craft your entire menu around it. Go greek, and you could cook up some tasty souvlaki kebabs, some delicious kleftiko, and some stunning light baklava for dessert.
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Alternatively, you might want to go for something a little more diverse. Travel the globe with your cuisine to take in the flavors of the countries that you have visited in your pre-coronavirus adventures. You might want to go for a starter of an Indian-style thali with dhal, bhajis, paneer, tandoori chicken, poppodoms, and pickles. This finger type food is great for an informal gathering. For your main, you might want to venture to the other side of the globe and go for a jerk chicken and rice or some amazing barbecued pork ribs. And for dessert, think about a light creme brulee from France or a lemon posset from England.
Warmth
Even though you are having friends around on a summer day, if your soiree goes into the evening, there can quickly be a chill in the air. This can result in you and your guests shivering under some blankets while you try and enjoy the last of the summer sunlight. Instead, think about installing a chimnea, patio heater, or fire pit. These radiate warmth when lit and can take the bite out of the evening chill. This way, your nearest and dearest can remain socially distant while chilling in your garden. You can chat, sing, catch up, listen to tunes, and just relax in one another’s company after so long apart.
Fire pits are also fantastic for toasting marshmallows and having some treats in the evening. Kids adore grouping around them and telling stories, keeping warm, and being together.
Seating
You want your guests to feel comfortable, so put out a range of seating options. If you have comfy beanbags or hammock-style seats, get them out and have them in your back garden. Your seating should also include a dining set so your friends and family can sit and eat in a more formal way. Plates on laps are ok for a barbecue but not for a dinner party style gathering.
Elements
If it rains, you don’t want this to stop you from enjoying the outdoors with your friends. You haven’t seen your loved ones for so long and you don’t want a bit of precipitation to stop you from having them over. Think about whipping up a gazebo so you can sit underneath it. Or, better still, install a more permanent awning to the rear of your home. These are great to extend out over your entire patio area creating a robust and resilient shelter. Sitting under here, there is zero chance that your guests will get wet while you sip champagne and enjoy a good catch up.
The sun is shining and the outside is beckoning you. Follow this guide and experience the wonders of al fresco dining.