Garden Party

Written by Rosemary Mantini | 30 August 2009

With the sun shining and the thermostat climbing higher with every hour, take advantage of the beautiful weather and the bounty of the garden by hosting a garden party. Most of us have a farmers’ market near where we live that sells just-picked produce and Artisanal products at least once a week. Take advantage of the farmers’ hard work and the variety of produce available by picking up some of the stunning array of fruits, vegetables, cheese and meats on sale.

If you have your own garden plot bursting forth with vegetables, you can emulate a growing trend among wineries. Have your very own garden party right in, or next to, your very own garden. Making maximum use of the fruits and vegetables that you grow yourself is at the very heart of market fresh cuisine – a concept that has captivated top chefs in the best restaurants across Canada and the world. There’s nothing that tastes better than produce picked and eaten at its maximum ripeness. Invite a small group of friends, and work out a menu that’s as simple or as complicated as you’d like it to be. Then, relax and enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Here are a couple of recipes to get you started.

Basil Tapenade

Grilled Zucchini with Basil Balsamic Vinaigrette