Friends for Dinner - Early Summer

When summertime heat hits nothing is better than turning on the barbeque and walking away from your oven. And this week has been a whopper in terms of heat and humdity in Toronto.  Amazing...hail one week and cool, and humidity and power brown-outs from air conditioner over-use the next.

This is a nice dinner menu that is quick to make, can mostly be made ahead and that will serve 6-8.  The Gazpacho works best if made a day ahead to give time for all the flavours to meld and work together.  Left-overs make for a great lunch too.

The potato salad is best made the day before or in the morning to give it time for the potatoes to absorb the dressing and cool.  The warm asparagus salad can be made while the steaks are grilling.  Just be sure to preheat your oven in advance as it will really only take about 8-10 minutes in a hot oven to cook thin asparagus.

The Clafouti can be baked early in the morning when you haven’t reached peak heat for the day.  It can be covered and served at room temperature, warmed in the oven or chilled and served cold.  I prefer the first in the summer.

Starter:

Yellow Tomato and Gin Gazpacho

Main:

Spice Rubbed New York Striploins with Chimichurri Sauce

Potato Salad with Blue Cheese and Bacon

Roasted Asparagus Salad with Chevre and Honey

Dessert:

Strawberry-Rhubarb Clafouti with Crème Fraîche