Tips for Savoring life and friendship at your next outdoor feast + an easy savory peach tart

Pretty Picnic Vibes

Let’s do dinner on the patio, we said, instead of choosing a restaurant. This year started with a lovely couples dinner out to celebrate a friend’s birthday. During the dinner it was decided we would need to have a dinner to celebrate all our birthdays. So, this new dinner goal had us planning one right in the middle of summer One of the gals sent over an inspiration post that instantly set the vibe. The post mentioned a host tip, “in your invite suggest to dress like the South of France or dinning under fig trees in Greece.” So we did.

Summer is one of my favorite times to dine al fresco, and one of my favorite ways to travel is adding the elements that transport us through food.
Allow me to give you few suggestions for a simple, tasty, and fun patio dinner party.
Set the vibes or tone for the evening - find an inspiration pic in a magazine or online and send it out to the group.
Decide what to bring together - from the inspo shop your home first before going to the grocery and bring what you already have.
Let the food be the pop of color - Our inspo post said, “The more your dishes look like a Tuscan painting the better,” and I couldn’t agree more.
Set the table ahead of time - try using herbs for the center piece; from your garden where possible
Prepare at least two questions to help with the conversation: one to break the ice and one that opens up deeper discussion to settle our souls in the moment.
Take few minutes to open your heart to connection and depth before the doorbell rings or before you knock. This may sound impossible for you, but I wouldn’t dismiss it. The beauty of gathering can be thwarted if we show up in a mood, rushed, or with a critical spirit.

Simplicity is Key

Finally, keep it simple. I did this during this dinner with a pre-bought frozen dessert - fruit sorbets in real fruit shells - yes, please! It reminded me of our slow dinners and a delish lemon frozen dessert during a prior trip to Spain. These times together can lead to further connection and future inspo for the next get together. But most of all I hope it reminds us that this one beautiful life is worth celebrating it together.

An easy savory peach galette

It all started with this inspiration. This fish shaped galette almost got scrapped from the menu, but my friend Natalie arrived and I knew with her help it could still make it to the table!

It’s fun to have friends who can take your vision and help you make it come to life!

This savory galette will become a new favorite to add to your summer menu. This recipe is literally 5 ingredients and you get huge satisfaction and delight from its simplicity. I also love that it offers ample opportunity for creativity when shaping it. They don’t have to be shaped as fish, but it’s oh so fun to try it anyway!

Ingredients:

1 Boursin spreadable cheese wheel
1 peach or two if your making a bigger galette

1 box of puff pastry (2 ct)

choose a wash for the pastry with either milk, melted butter, or egg

Pearl sugar (optional)

Honey to drizzle over it at the end

Instructions

1. Begin by gathering all the ingredients to your work space and pre-heat the oven at 375 degrees

2. Make sure your puff pastry is defrosted and ready to roll out

3. Slice the peaches and put them aside

4. Roll out the pastry dough shape it how ever you'd like

5. Spread out the Boursin cheese on the pastry

6. Arrange the sliced peaches over the cheese

7. Pinch the sides as thin or thick as your design calls for

8.Bake for 20 minutes then check it to make sure the bottom is crisping up. You may need to leave it in for 5 more minutes until the bottom is crisp too watching that the puff pastry doesn’t overcook on top

9. Drizzle with honey and serve immediately