Summer Dinner Party

This past week, I've been house sitting for my parents on Whidbey Island. The house lies on 5 acres of secluded woodland property, has a spacious kitchen, and a lovely deck for outdoor dining. So, naturally, I felt a Summer dinner party was in order. Unfortunately, I was so busy cooking, baking and serving that I was unable to take as many photos as I would have liked. But, here are a few moments I was able to capture:

Fig and Berry Summer Tart

(with a pate sucree crust and buttermilk, lemon zest pastry cream)

Peach, gorgonzola, arugula salad with homemade creamy chive dressing

(was able to use the chives from my mom's garden- so fresh and flavorful)

Roasted Summer Vegetable Galette

(eggplant, garlic, heirloom tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, onions, thyme, rosemary, olive oil, goat cheese)

A lovely dinner with lovely friends.

Roasted Summer Vegetable Galette

Me and Myra

Outdoor Summer Dining!

English Mojito 

(cucumber, fresh mint, gin, lime juice, sugar, club soda)

The entire menu included:  

Roasted Summer Vegetable Galettes

Steamed Artichokes with Mr.Mobley's dipping sauce

 Olive Rosemary Bread (my first time making bread!)

 Grilled Lemon-Rosemary Chicken with Asparagus

 Arugula Salad with Peaches, Gorgonzola and Creamy Chive Vinaigrette

Homemade crackers

 Cheese & Olives (the only things that weren't made from scratch... but one day I will learn how to make my own cheese) 

Salted Butter Caramels

 Summer Fig and Berry Tart

All in all, the party was lovely. The food turned out well (nothing was charred or burnt, thank god), the company was amazing, my sous chef Lauren worked miracles, my awesome friends-Jenna and Anders-were masters of the grill and the weather was idyllic! Such a beautiful night with so many beautiful friends!