As the days grow longer and the air warmer, spring offers the perfect opportunity to gather friends and family for lively outdoor entertaining. Here are food and drink ideas to make hosting a piece of cake.
Whet the appetite of your guests with a tarte soleil. This French appetizer is made by slicing and twisting filled puff pastry to resemble a sun. Despite its impressive appearance, this stunner is easy to assemble and endlessly customizable.
Wash down the first course with a gin-gin mule. This cousin to the Moscow mule uses gin in lieu of vodka for a crisper, clean finish. Make a non-alcoholic version by substituting the spirits with extra ginger beer.
Whether it’s a small backyard get-together or a bonfire at the beach, a successful spring soiree needs only three ingredients: great food, refreshing drinks and good company.
Salmon and Dill Tarte Soleil  Â
Serves:Â 8-10 | Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 oz regular cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup red onion, finely minced
- 1/4 cup fresh dill, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 2 puff pastry sheets, thawed
- 6 oz smoked salmon
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
- 2 tsp everything bagel seasoning
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 350ËšF and place a rack in the middle position.
- Stir together cream cheese, onion, dill and black pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
- Line your work surface with a 15-inch-long sheet of parchment paper. Roll out the puff pastry to a 12”x12” square. Using a pizza cutter, cut the puff pastry into a 12-inch circle. Transfer the cut puff pastry sheet to a baking sheet.
- Repeat the process with the second sheet of puff pastry.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared puff pastry on the baking sheet, leaving a 1-inch border. Cover the cream cheese with pieces of smoked salmon. Place the second puff pastry round on top of the filling and gently press the edges together to seal in the filling.
- Set a small glass upside down in the center of the pastry round. Use a sharp knife to cut through both pastry rounds in fourths starting at the edge and stopping where the glass begins. Cut each quadrant into fourths. Cut any large pieces that remain in half, until you have 16-20 rays.
- Gently twist each ray three times until they’ve all been twisted. Whisk together egg yolk and milk and brush a thin layer over the entire tarte. Sprinkle everything bagel seasoning over the tarte and bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown. Serve warm or room temperature.
Cucumber Gin-Gin Mule
Makes: 1 cocktail | Prep time: 5 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 mint sprig
- 1 3-inch piece of cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced
- 3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
- 2 ounces gin
- 2-3 ounces ginger beer
- Cucumber ribbon and mint sprig, for garnish
Directions:
- In a shaker, gently muddle mint and cucumber in lime juice.
- Add the gin and ice and shake for 12-15 seconds, until thoroughly chilled.
- Strain into a highball glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a cucumber ribbon and mint sprig.
