How to Host the Perfect BBQ Party this Summer

When it comes to enjoying summer days, nothing beats a casual BBQ with friends and family to kick off the season. As we bid farewell to cooler days and hello to warmer weather, we like to fire up the grill and enjoy the season of sipping cocktails al fresco under the sun.☀️🍹

We usually recommend 6 to 8 people for a backyard BBQ, but it's not unusual for a few last-minute friends to increase those numbers. As a result, we try to present a range of surf and turf-style dishes to ensure that no one leaves hungry, no matter how many people turn up.🍗🍖

Backyard barbecues are ideal for splitting up entertaining chores, with one person tending to the grill and the other seeing visitors and doing any last-minute errands. The majority of the preparation for this gathering may be done ahead of time, allowing you to relax and enjoy the great weather while it


Now that the table is set, we invite you to dust off your grills (if you haven't already) and follow us all month as we walk you through how to achieve this spectacular gathering!

Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Arugula Recipe

The mood has been set, and your guests are sipping cocktails. It is time to indulge in a burst of flavour that will transport them to a summer garden oasis! 🌿🍋

This Lemon Ricotta Pasta with Arugula is the ultimate main dish for your garden party extravaganza. With every twirl of the fork, you'll be whisked away to a Mediterranean paradise, where tangy lemon meets creamy ricotta, and peppery arugula adds a delightful kick. It is a quick and easy creamy lemony pasta ready in 20 minutes!

It is definitely a harmony of fresh ingredients that will leave your taste buds dancing! Join us as we serve the main attraction. Bon appétit! 🍽️🌼

Ingredients

Produce
2 cups Arugula
1 Basil
1 Chili flakes
1 tbsp Lemon, zest
3 cloves garlic, minced
Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Condiments
1/4 cup Lemon juice

Pasta & grains
1 lb Short pasta

Oils & vinegars
1 Olive oil

Dairy
1 cup Parmesan or pecorino
1 cup Whole-milk ricotta

Instructions:

- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the skillet, stirring well to combine.
- Reduce the heat to low and add ricotta cheese to the skillet. Stir until the ricotta is heated through and well incorporated into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to coat it with the lemon ricotta sauce.
- Stir in the fresh arugula and continue cooking for about 2-3 minutes until the arugula wilts slightly.
- Remove from heat and garnish with grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the refreshing flavours of this lemony, creamy pasta dish!

Note: Feel free to customize the recipe by adding grilled chicken, cherry tomatoes, or roasted vegetables for extra variety and nutrition.

Ready to take your tastebuds on a journey? This one is too easy not to try!

The Perfect Lighting at a Garden Party

When it comes to hosting a delightful garden party, the perfect lighting can transform the ambiance into a whimsical wonderland!✨✨✨⁣

Here are some easy tips & tricks to help bring that effortless glow to your evening!⁣

💫 Twinkle lights: If your space allows it, drape soft, warm string lights delicately along branches or along your pergola to create the illusion of twinkling stars!⁣
🕯️ Candles: Scatter an assortment of elegant candle holders throughout the space and table, allowing the flickering flames to dance in various corners of your garden, adding an intimate and romantic touch to the evening.⁣
🌟 Lanterns: Dotting the pathways and hanging or standing lanterns in strategic spots helps guide your guests to the main entertaining area.⁣
🌺 Floral Glow: Incorporate floral arrangements with petite fairy lights intertwined, bringing a touch of whimsy to your tablescape. The soft glow will highlight the beauty of the blooms, creating a stunning centrepiece.⁣
🌿 Nature's Spotlight: For daytime parties, don't forget to utilize the natural beauty of your surroundings! Position your gathering in an area where the foliage gently filters the sunlight during the day, creating a soft and dreamy atmosphere.⁣

Did we miss anything? Share your garden party lighting ideas in the comments below! 🌷🌳💫

Be sure to check us out on Instagram @sebandsheila!⁣⁣

Garden Party Countdown Checklist

Any well-executed party comes down to the prep work, so we dedicated a lot of time to ensuring that our guide to entertaining, Eatertainment, includes sections to help take the guesswork out of prepping. We call them 'Party Countdowns'. These sections start each of the chapters and outline everything you need to do 1 week out, a few days out, the day before, etc.

So today, as we continue to dive into our Garden Party theme, it's all about the countdown. Summer cookouts are a time-honoured tradition, perfect for sipping refreshing drinks, sharing hearty laughs, and savouring mouth-watering dishes that taste better outdoors. To ensure a stress-free party, we've got you covered with our comprehensive Garden Party Countdown, designed to guarantee you don't miss a beat - available for download through the LINK!

Dinner Series Playlist - 7th Volume

The month of May is the perfect time for hosting garden parties, especially with the sunny weather and rising temperatures. And what's a good party without great music? ☀️🎶

Time to put your dancing shoes on ... again!!!! We're excited to finally launch the 7th volume of our dinner series playlist, bringing together some brand new music (hot off Sheila's list) and some classic favourites with a remix twist. Crack open a bottle of rosé and enjoy these rhythms. We bet you can’t keep yourself from dancing! 😏

Click the LINK to check out this playlist. 🎵

Happy Hosting... and dancing!! Be sure to check us out on Instagram @sebandsheila!⁣

A Brunch Party with Kids - Watermelon Pizza and Kids Cocktail

Regarding brunch, we believe in the adage “the more, the merrier.” Brunch is the best time to host people of all ages and interests, so we advise having a food and drink menu for the younger audience.

This healthy snack pairs effortlessly with a kid’s cocktail and is perfect for hosting kids at a spring brunch party! The Watermelon “Pizza” is the tastiest way to incorporate yogurt and fruit into your kids’ menu while keeping it fun! 🍉🍹

For your brunch party, we suggest putting out carafes of fresh juice with matching frozen garnishes; typically, we offer pink grapefruit, pineapple, and cranberry juices, but use whatever your guests are likely to enjoy. We also like to put out flavour-infused sparkling water. Any sparkling water works, but we recommend sugar-free options.

Watermelon “Pizza”
yield: serves 6 - prep time: 10 minutes

Ingredients
1 small watermelon
½ cup vanilla Greek yogurt
6 gooseberries, leaves removed
6 large blueberries
6 blackberries
3 Tbsp pomegranate seeds

Method
Cut the watermelon at the center into a 2-inch-thick disk

Place the watermelon disk on a cutting board and cut across it to make 6 slices. Spread the yogurt onto each slice and top with gooseberries, blueberries, blackberries, and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately.

Kid’s Cocktail
yield: makes 1 cocktail • prep time: 2 minutes

Ingredients
¼ cup soda water
%, cup pink grapefruit, pineapple, cranberry juice

Method
Combine the juice and soda water in a kid-friendly cup and serve!

Ready to entertain your little guests? Share your own kid-friendly food and drink ideas in the comment section below!

Be sure to check us out on Instagram @sebandsheila!⁣

A Perfect Spring Brunch

The blooms have arrived, as has spring! We are excited to venture on this month-long adventure of "A Perfect Spring Brunch"

Spring heralds not only warmer weather but also outdoor entertaining. The thought of lighter, brighter meals—and fewer layers—gets us excited about seeing friends we've missed over the last few months as the early blooms begin to appear. While it is our family tradition to host a large brunch during the holidays, we believe brunch should be more than an annual event. We also enjoy hosting weekend brunches because they are a more relaxed way of entertaining and make a regular Saturday or Sunday feel extra special.

We recommend hosting brunch outside whenever possible, weather permitting! Something is refreshing about dining in the garden, surrounded by fresh air and beautiful greenery. However, if you're hosting in the winter or the weather isn't cooperating with your plans, there's nothing wrong with hosting your brunch indoors.

Regarding brunch, we believe in the adage "the more, the merrier." Brunch is the ideal time to host people of all ages and interests, whether it's neighbours who hosted you previously or friends you haven't seen in a long time, especially during the Easter season.

Brunch is also easy to prepare. Our spring brunch features colourful and flavorful dishes, as well as bright, airy décor elements that instantly lift your spirits as you reconnect and start making plans for the summer months.

Don't let us worry you! Most of the items can be prepped ahead of time, and serving brunch buffet-style relieves the pressure of constantly serving and clearing plates. Mixtures and batters can be prepared the night before, and anything hot can be prepared ahead of time and kept warm in the oven until ready to serve.

When your guests arrive, all that will be left to do is set up the brunch buffet.

So, stay tuned while we take you all on a month-long adventure filled with an abundance of fresh ingredients, crisp cocktails, and a meal that celebrates everything that is spring!

Be sure to check us out on Instagram @sebandsheila!⁣