Goodbye Summer

Don’t let your summer slip away without giving it a proper send-off.  Even though the calendar tells us that summer is going to be around until mid-September, we all know that summer is officially over once that Labor Day party has ended.  Before autumn sets in, enjoy one last casual summer party and say farewell to the lazy days of summer. No one wants to spend the last summer party slaving over a big backyard meal. One really great idea is a NO-COOK party menu using recipes from the inestimable Rachael Ray!

NO-COOK Party Menu!

Tomato and Feta Salad 

Tip Replace the feta with ricotta or chopped mozzarella, and the thyme with chopped basil. 

Ingredients

2 pints cherry tomatoes
1/2 pound feta cheese, crumbled (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and pepper
Thyme sprigs, for garnish

Directions

• In a medium bowl, toss the tomatoes with the feta. Drizzle with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season to taste with salt and pepper and toss. Top with the thyme. 

 

 

Honey-Soy Chicken

Tip Dress up the rice with dried cranberries and pine nuts, or dried apricots and cashews.

Ingredients

1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/2 tablespoon crushed red pepper
2 rotisserie chickens
6 cups cooked mixed wild rice, or other grains from supermarket salad bar

 

Directions

• In a small microwaveable bowl, mix the honey, soy sauce and crushed red pepper. Microwave on high power for 20 seconds, then whisk to combine. Using a pastry brush, coat the chickens with the honey-soy glaze.
• Arrange the rice on two serving dishes. Place 1 chicken on each dish and serve the remaining glaze on the side.

 

 

Lemon Layer Cake

Tip Use banana pudding in place of the lemon curd.

 Ingredients

2 small angel food cakes
1 cup lemon curd
1 can whipped cream
1 cup crushed lemon cookies

 

 




Directions

• Using a long serrated knife, slice each cake horizontally into 3 layers.
• Using a spatula, spread half the lemon curd on the 2 bottom cake layers. Top with a generous layer of whipped cream. Place the middle cake layers on top and spread with the remaining curd and more whipped cream. Place the remaining 2 cake layers on top, cover with whipped cream and sprinkle with the crushed cookies.  

 
 
Frozen Margarita

 

Ingredients

Lime sorbet
Tequila
Sprinkle of sea salt

 

Directions

• Try this easy frozen cocktail. No blender required.

 

Mango Freeze

Ingredients

Mango sorbet
Rum
Dash of cayenne pepper

 






Directions

• Try this easy frozen cocktail. No blender required.

 

Berry Cosmo

Ingredients

Strawberry sorbet
Vodka
Squeeze of lime

 






 Directions

• Try this easy frozen cocktail. No blender required.

Whether you're having this party outside or not (though, really, last lovely days of summer not outside?) we suggest choosing fun, bright colors that are as warm as the summer sun and be casual with your centerpieces. Try using Large bowls or baskets filled with fruits that look and taste great. If you prefer to use a floral centerpiece, try orange and red Gerbera Daisies for a beautiful yet inexpensive look.

Make sure to stock up on the ice. The summer may be coming to an end, but the heat is going to be around for a little while longer.  It is usually still pretty hot on Labor Day and the last thing you want is your guests heading home early because of a warm drink.

As the sun begins to set be prepared for the hungry mosquitoes and have plenty of citronella candles.  Your guests will thank you.

all images and recipes from www.rachaelraymag.com