Posts tagged: Summer Menu Ideas

Two sure signs are that summer has arrived in Provence – cicadas and music festivals. It can happen overnight; the cicadas start chanting as the temperatures rise. The solstice occurred on June 20th, but in France, it only feels like summer starts on June 21st when there is music in the streets throughout the country. La Fête de la Musique is an annual festival that began in 1982.
The Perfectly Provence 2024 summer menu has just been published, promising a culinary journey you won’t want to miss. Tour guide and native of Nice Céline O’Donnell selected dishes that will transport you to the French Riviera. From the classic Niçoise recipes – Pissaladière, Truccha, Salade Niçoise, and Tourte de Blettes to her personal favourites, this meal is a celebration of the region’s rich gastronomic heritage. We invite you to explore our Summer Recipe Collection for more seasonal ideas and prepare to embark on a culinary adventure.

Recipes & Travel:
Explore Provence, Summer Festivals, Summer Menu Ideas, Summer Music Festivals in Provence

Oregano and his lovely wife hosted a great dinner party this week.   For once, the Calgary weather cooperated and it was truly a perfect July evening.  Hot Chili and the ski guy arrived just before Nutmeg and Ginger. The menu was outstanding, feel free to copy parts or all for your next party as long as  you make sure to invite Nutmeg and credit Oregano.
Here is the line-up:

Starter: seasonal antipasto: citrus shrimp, cheese, grapes, blackberries, olives….
Main: mixed peppers – grilled to perfection, lightly seasoned halibut on the grill, grilled portabello mushrooms
Side: cannellini beans, cooked in the pressure cooker (Oregano’s favorite cooking method) and spiced with oregano – served slightly chilled
Garnish: “signature” lemon marmalade
Desert: vanilla bean ice cream, ruby red grapefruit segments soaked in pink champagne  and garnished with fresh mint
Beverages: red, white and pink ….in copious quantities

All around a fantastic evening; great company, great food and lots of laughs.  However, Ginger would like to complain about his sluggish condition…

Recipes & Travel:
Dinner Parties, Summer entertaining, Summer Menu Ideas

Nutmeg had never heard of Cinco de Mayo before she moved to Calgary.  Think what you may, Nutmeg is no slouch!  She has consumed her fair share of tequila, upside down margaritas and cervezas (Spanish for beer) in particular Corona and Dos Equisover the years.  Despite years in liberal Quebec,  a well known eastern university and a good grounding in Toronto,  she had honestly never heard of Cinco de Mayo before her arrival in Calgary.  Ginger made sure she was properly educated in her first 60 days on the scene.  Nutmeg’s awakening led to 5-6 years of classic “house party” celebrations (no photos available.  These parties ranged from reasonable to the industrial size rental margarita machine to dancing with power-tools.  At that point, Nutmeg suggested the annual celebration may have run it’s course.
What is Cinqo de Mayo?
Cinco de Mayo (“fifth of May”) is a regional holiday in Mexico, primarily celebrated in the state of Puebla, with some limited recognition…

Recipes & Travel:
Cinqo de Mayo menu ideas, Dinner Parties, Fish Taco Recipe, Summer Menu Ideas