Try these sweet and savory spreads for easy summer entertaining before the warm weather disappears. This post is sponsored by Healthyish Foods & Blue Moose of Boulder, but all opinions are my own. Thanks for supporting the brands that support With The Grains.
While driving to a top secret location for the Solar Eclipse, the Urban Farmer and I passed a city pool I had never seen before, and it was EMPTY! We weren’t in the best part of town, so I thought maybe, just maybe, it had never been filled in the first place. However, driving through a different neighborhood later that day burst my bubble. The city pools are dry as a bone, which means, summer is coming to a close [why God, whhhhhy?].
On the positive side, this is the time to make that end-0f-summer bucket list and soak up the season. My priorities are catching some sun, swimming at a watering hole or the beach, eating outside with friends, and if I’m really ambitious, heading to the drive-in theater. I tend to put too much pressure on entertaining, so these spreads are designed to be simple and allow for spontaneity (not my best attribute). When it looks like a particularly golden pink sunset is about to happen, call your best pals, and make the most of it. These are healthy, sweet and savory spreads for late summer entertaining!
Combinations for a Savory Spread for Summer Entertaining
Blue Moose of Boulder makes a lineup of healthy, unique spreads sans preservatives. They make for a flavorful riff on a traditional cheeseboard. Simply grill up a variety of vegetables, and you have yourself an excuse for late summer entertaining.
Here’s what I recommend:
Grilled Romaine Hearts + Flaky Sea Salt + Pesto
Grilled Sweet Corn + Red Pepper Artichoke Cheddar Spread
Grilled Carrots or Grilled Bell Peppers + Green Chile Cheddar Spread
Edamame
Chickpeas with Harissa
Cheddar Breadsticks
Multigrain crackers
Green beans
Heirloom tomatoes
While you’re grilling all those veggies, consider grilling some fruit for a Healthyish cake topper, or pull out a show-stopping dessert spread.
Combinations for a Sweet Spread for Summer Entertaining
I’m all about decadent layer cakes, but when it comes to ease and show, try fancying up your Healthyish Foods baking kit. Each kit contains the makings of organic, individually portioned cakes. Bake a bunch, and you have yourself a cake buffet!
Pair the cakes with:
Assorted nuts
Toasted coconut
Cherries
Peaches/stone fruit
White/Dark Chocolate
Graham crackers
Fresh mint
Soft cheeses (for those fools who don’t like cake)
Sea salt (perfect with Healthyish’s dark chocolate frosting)
I’m normally pretty uptight about all the details of hosting friends (shocker), but my friendship with Dana is more like a family relationship. After all, she is the one responsible for the Urban Farmer being in my life, and she is Julep’s second mama. She also happens to have a deck with a perfect view of the sunset and the random firework shows that erupt nightly in Pittsburgh. Dana is one of the few friends I can call last minute and say, “I just made a TON of food. I can bring dinner, dessert and rosé to your deck in an hour,” and she’ll say, “come on over!” Dana makes the end-of-summer bucket list a breeze!
And of course, Dana’s sidekick and deck dweller, Lucy Loo (we currently have the same haircut)…
So before it’s too late and before it’s pumpkin spice everything, grab a variety of savory spreads, order your Healthyish baking kit, secure a deck with a view of the sunset, and keep an eye on those curious pups. In the meantime, don’t drive by the public pools. It will only bring heartache.
Happy Summer Entertaining!
