Perfect Summer Party Menus

Need some inspiration for holiday weekend party menus? With summer's unofficial start this Memorial Day weekend, Metrocurean has you covered with these delicious summer party ideas.

International Backyard Bash
Combine a few world flavors and one delicious Southern punch for a casual cookout.

• Roasted Garlic Guacamole with tortilla chips
• Asian Barbecue Chicken
• Mike Isabella's Broccoli Salad
• Sweetgreen Quinoa Salad
• Coconut Dream Tart
• St. Cecilia Society Punch
• Sauca's Orange Blossom Limunad
• Add a tub of beer on ice.

Casual Weekend Brunch
I love entertaining for brunch. Get the party started early, relax over drinks into the afternoon, and then wrap up in time for a nap.

• Drunken Caramel French Toast
• Oven Baked Crab cakes with Lemon Yogurt Sauce
• Easy Like Sunday Morning cocktail
• Farmer's Fizz cocktail
• Toigo Birth of Pain bloody marys
• Add a carafe of coffee, a platter of fresh fruit and a heaping serving of bacon or sausage.

No Fuss Chili Party
Chili is perfect for entertaining since you can make it ahead (even the day b efore) for a stress-free party day.

• Chicken and White Bean Chili
• Clementina Old Fashioneds
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares
• Add a basket of cornbread muffins, and chili fixins like sour cream, shredded cheese and scallions. And plenty of beer.


Entertaining Tips
• No matter how wrapped up you are in prep, get a drink in your guests' hands when they arrive. It puts people at ease.

• A serve-yourself bar makes the above tip easier. Put drinks where guests can easily find them. Fill a steel tub (look at hardware stores for affordable options) with ice, beer, bottles of wine and water with glasses nearby. Punch or pitchers of batched cocktails are also perfect for letting guests help themselves.

• Set the table or get out a stack of plates and flatware before you start cooking. Then you don't have to worry about it when you're finally ready to serve (often later than you expect!).

• Don't start cleaning up while guests are still hanging out! It's a good way to make people feel uncomfortable — like they should help or get moving. (Maybe they should, but that's not your job to make clear.)

Happy entertaining!