skip to main content

Virtual Dinner - The Dog Days of Summer

16 years ago

Hi guys! Back awhile ago there was considerable interest in doing a summer virtual dinner. Timing is probably good now that the summer swap is over and the sausagethoners are resting on their well earned laurels!

The theme will be "Dog Days of Summer"; all recipes for the various courses should either be grilling or alfresco type dishes. Let's plan for August 4th ....who's in!!!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (21)

User
16 years ago
I'm in. I Love the idea of a summer virtual dinner. So many options.

Thanks for organizing these dinners Sharon.

Ann
msafirstein
16 years ago
I'm IN...DH has been asking about the next Virtual Dinner.

Michelle
Related Discussions
Forget the Dog Days of Summer....
Q
Comments (6)
I LOVE the furbabies!! Cat's do a great job of acting like they have worked themselves into an exhaustion when they really haven't been doing anything but sleeping! I usually have several but I'm down to 2 right now, Merlin the Magician (he does a great disappearing act) and Stinky (referring to his attitude, not a physical condition). The both love the garden! I call them my 'garden kitties' and my garden just wouldn't feel like a garden without them!
...See More
NEW: aug 2013 fotess swap: the dog days of summer
Q
Comments (150)
Hey Everyone! Just got home about 3:30, am totally wiped out, wanted to post about my package before I fall asleep standing up! Jayeanne sent a really nice package, two packages actually, she forgot to put the dog treats in the first one! I got what I think is a leash holder, shaped like a dog bone, with 3 hooks on it; it says "good dog" but that can easily be changed to "good Kitties"! Pink also sent a cinnamon pumpkin candle, a backpack size hand sanitizer (I use these ALOT), and a very sweet note, with baby Pugs on the front. And then there were the seeds she sent. I AM SO EXCITED! There were Coleus, sweet peas, California poppies and acorn squash. AND THEN, there was Broom Corn, Fleabane and Bishops Flower, all three of which great for attracting Butterflies!! I have one lonely little patch of Fleabane show up in a different spot every year, Now I'll have it where I want it! All three of these are new to me and I can't wait to get them planted! Jayeanne, thank you very much for a great "Dog Days" package. Loved it! If I didn't think I would wake up at 3 am and be awake for the rest of the day, I would go to bed NOW! Tabs and MyrnD were really good for me, but now I know why Chris sounds so tired sometimes, when I call. Gonna miss them, tho! Jeanne, thanks for hosting a great swap! Take care of yourself, please! Shirley!
...See More
Summer Virtual Dinner - Hors d'oeuvres
Q
Comments (13)
Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table ===================================== 1 focaccia, homemade or purchases 1 roasted red pepper, cut into strips and drizzled with olive oil. 1 recipe homemade Tapanade (or purchase all ready made) Chevre (Goat cheese) . Cut the Focaccia into bite size squares Cut the roasted pepper into small strips Warm the Goat Cheese in the microwave to soften. Put a dollop of goat cheese on top of each square of focaccia. On half the focaccia place a few strips of pepper and on the other half place a small spoon of Tapenade. Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table Black Olive Tapenade ==================== Olive Tapenade 2 large garlic cloves 1 3/4 cups pitted Kalamata olives 4 anchovy fillets 1 1/2 tablespoons drained capers 2 to 4 Tablespoons fresh basil 1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1/4 cup olive oil salt/pepper to taste . Finely chop the garlic cloves in a food processor. Add olives, anchovies, capers, basil . Process until almost smooth. Add lemon juice. With machine running, gradually add the olive oil. Blend mixture until smooth. Season tapenade to taste with pepper. Transfer to a small bowl. Serve on slices of french bread. Options: Use some or all green olives add small can of quality tuna add 1 to 2 tablespoons brandy add more anchovies Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table ========================================== Weber Grill REcipes 32 large shrimp (450 to 565 grams or 1-1 1/4 pounds) shelled and deveined (except for tails) Lemon Pesto 1/2 cup firmly packed fresh basil 1/4 cup olive oil 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese 1 clove garlic 1 tablespoon pine nuts . In a food processor or blender, combine ingredients for Lemon Pesto. Whirl until smooth. Rinse shrimp and pat dry. Place in a large heavy-duty plastic bag or nonreactive bowl. Pour in pesto and seal bag (or cover bowl). Rotate bag to distribute marinade and place in a shallow pan. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or up to 4 hours, turning shrimp occasionally. Remove shrimp from bag and drain, discarding marinade. Thread shrimp on skewers. Arrange skewers on cooking grate. If using charcoal, cook directly over coals; if using gas, use medium heat and put skewers over unlit side of grill (indirect heat method). Place lid on grill. Cook, turning once halfway through cooking time, until shrimp are opaque in thickest part (4 to 5 minutes; cut to test). Transfer to platter or individual plates. Garnish with basil sprigs.
...See More
Summer Virtual Dinner - Dessert
Q
Comments (10)
Here is my favorite Pound Cake recipe. Perfect for all of the fresh fruit that is available this time of year. Janelle McComb, who was Elvis's friend from the time he was a boy in Tupelo Mississippi used to bake two loaves of this cake every Christmas and bring them to Graceland. On a good day, Elvis could eat one all by himself. He shared the other with his entourage. ELVIS PRESLEY'S FAVORITE POUND CAKE 3 cups sugar 1/2 pound of butter softened 7 eggs room temperature 3 cups cake flour, sifted twice 1 cup heavy cream (not whipped) 2 teaspoons vanilla extract Thoroughly butter and flour a 10-inch tube pan. Cream together the sugar and butter. Add eggs one at a time, beating extemely well after each addition. Mix 1/2 half of the flour, then the whipping cream, then the other half of the flour. Beat 5 full minutes. Add vanilla. Pour batter into prepared pan. Set in cold oven and turn temp to 350 degrees. Bake 1 hour to 90 minutes, until a sharp knife inserted in the cake comes out clean. Cool in the pan 5 minutes. Remove the cake from the pan and cool thoroughly. Wrapped well in foil, this cake keeps several days. My group likes grilled pineapple too. I just dip it in butter and then brown sugar and grill. Great by itself or with ice cream. Here are a couple of others I have in my files from Ruthanna. Can you tell I'm leaning toward the grilling thing? GRILLED STRAWBERRY SUNDAES (Ruthanna) 1/ 4 cup orange juice 1/ 4 cup strawberry spreadable fruit 1 tsp. cornstarch 2 pint strawberries, hulled 2 cups low-fat vanilla frozen yogurt Preheat the grill to a medium heat. In a medium saucepan, combine the orange juice, spreadable fruit, and cornstarch. Set aside. Thread the strawberries onto 4 skewers. Grill the kebabs, turning once, for 4 to 5 minutes. Meanwhile, place the medium saucepan directly on the grill or on the stovetop over medium heat and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Cook, stirring, until the sauce is slightly thickened, about 1 minute. Remove the strawberries from the skewers and stir gently into the sauce mixture in the saucepan. Divide the yogurt among 4 bowls, spoon the strawberry sauce over, and serve. Notes: Can substitute ice cream for the frozen yogurt if desired. Sauce is best when serve hot. Can also be served over sliced angel food or pound cake. GRILLED PEARS WITH BUTTERSCOTCH SAUCE serves 4 (Ruthanna) 4 large firm-ripe Anjou or Bartlett pears 3 Tbs. fresh lime juice 2 Tbs. sugar 1/3 cup evaporated milk (can be evaporated skim milk) 2 Tbs. firmly packed light brown sugar 2 tsp. butter (not margarine or spreads) 1/ 2 tsp. vanilla extract Peel the pears, halve lengthwise, and core. With a sharp knife, cut a very thin slice from the rounded side of each pear half so they will lie flat. In a bowl, toss the pear halves with the lime juice and sugar. Grill the pears over medium heat for 4 minutes. Turn them over, drizzle with any remaining lime mixture, and grill for 5 minutes, or until tender. Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine remaining ingredients. Cook directly on the grill or stovetop over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture comes to a gentle boil. Cook until the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Divide the pears among 4 plates, drizzle with butterscotch sauce, and serve hot or warm. David
...See More
pat_t
16 years ago
I'm very interested, but would like to know the "rules" or some guidelines. Help me!
Marigene
16 years ago
I will try if not too tired, will just be getting home from Vermont.
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
16 years ago
I'm in! We just had a new grilled chicken recipe last night. Posted it on the WFD 244 thread. It was a big hit!

Looking forward to the summer dinner!
lyndaluu2
16 years ago
Sounds good to me, count me in too!!

Linda
User
Original Author
16 years ago
pat there is only one rule......no rules.

Here's how it goes. In the next day or so I will post threads requesting recipes for nibblies and drinks, appetizers (at the table), soups, salads, entree, sides and desserts.

Anyone who wants to can post recipes to the respective threads. Each of us will make our "menu" up from the various posted recipes. You can make all 7 courses or you can just make one....up to you. Although some may end up cooking the same items it is NOT a requirement.

On the day of the virtual dinner each of us will cook whatever it was we decided on. You can make the meal just for yourself or you can invite company.

There will be thread up that day so we can share our experiences, ask questions about the recips and many will post pics.

It's fun , the more the merrier!
Cloud Swift
16 years ago
I think August 4 will work here so I'm tentatively in.
debbie814
16 years ago
I also love the idea of a summer virtual dinner. I should have time to a few of the courses. We leave for vacation the next day so it may get hectic. Thanks for organizing these dinners Sharon.
lakeguy35
16 years ago
I'm in! I'll be grillin' or smokin'. Maybe both! Thanks Sharon!

David
fenworth
16 years ago
That's a good weekend for me - the next two are busy. Count me in!
chancesmom
16 years ago
I think I am in......we may do a huge garage sale that day, but I can do it all!!!!!

Hurry and get up those threads Sharon, I am ready to post!
User
Original Author
16 years ago
LOL Janet! I'll start them now but with my cottage low speed it may be the 4th before I get them up!
User
Original Author
16 years ago
Ok done and done.....

Stacie sweetie, if you are out there somewhere ( where have you been anyhow? ) could you be a doll face and post that thread you do that has all the links in it. I'd do it but I don't know how you did that...you clever little bean!
kent4489
16 years ago
Sharon, I'm not Stacie, but I think I can post that... yeah, where is Stacie... I thought about her Sun. when I used a recipe she had posted. Let me know if you want me to post... I may go ahead and do it since you may not be online to see this for a while.
jessyf
16 years ago
Hey Jayne thanks I was just going to volunteer someone else to do it (grin). Can you make sure you include all seven threads? My soup got lost last time, I think (sniff) - stuff happens, no biggie!

Is Stacy not around?!?! I haven't check the WFD threads.

BTW I'm in.
kent4489
16 years ago
Done! Link to soups was there when I previewed. If its gone now, I don't know why!
wizardnm
16 years ago
Hey...I think I can join in this time too. I have company coming that day for a week, might as well join in with the diners here. I'm game to try anyway.

Nancy
stacy3
16 years ago
oh I soooooo want to do this! it is the day after my 25 yr class reunion...maybe i should plan bloody mary's and other hangover cures...:=) I am hopeful that I'll have more time to help out and contribute in the upcoming couple of weeks!!!
User
Original Author
16 years ago
Just a reminder to get posting those great summer recipes for our dinner party next weekend.

Use the thread Jayne posted to find all the recipe threads but remember not to post to it.
User
16 years ago
Just a reminder.

Related Stories

PETS Houzz Call: Show Us Your Summer-Loving Dog!

By Mitchell Parker

Share a photo of your pooch kicking back in the backyard, helping you in the workshop or enjoying your favorite summer getaway

PETS Room of the Day: Laundry Room Goes to the Dogs

By Mary Jo Bowling

Muddy paws are no problem in this new multipurpose room

MOST POPULAR Simple Pleasures: Savor Summer’s Last Hurrah

By Laura Gaskill

Choose from 3 easy celebrations to close summer out in a soul-satisfying way

LIFE Houzz Call: How Do You Hold On to Summer at Home?

By Erin Carlyle

Summer is winding down, but it’s not over yet! If you're still enjoying some lazy days, we want to see how you’re making the most of them

MOST POPULAR How to Get Rid of Those Pesky Summer Fruit Flies

By Mitchell Parker

Learn what fruit flies are, how to prevent them and how to get rid of them in your home

GARDENING AND LANDSCAPING Get a Jump on Summer Prep for Home and Garden

By Laura Gaskill

Pick from these 16 things to do now — from hanging a hammock to bug-proofing screens — to maximize summer's sweetness

HOUSEKEEPING 7-Day Plan: Get a Spotless, Beautifully Organized Dining Room

By Laura Gaskill

Give us a week and we’ll give you a dining room you’ll be happy to use for a special occasion or every day

SUMMER GARDENING 10 Perennials to Extend Your Garden's Summer Color

By LuAnn Brandsen

Revive summer-weary gardens with outstanding late bloomers such as toad lily, Russian sage, blanket flower and more

HOUSEKEEPING 10 Things to Do Now for an Easier, Happier Summer

By Laura Gaskill

Set up your home for easy cleaning and cooking, and get ready for those trips to the beach

SUMMER GARDENING Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

Sponsored

More Discussions

First Shortcake Report

9

Troubleshooting My Baking

13

24

Lemon curd tart w/strawberry - glaze needed?

38

Food Related Podcasts, Series, and Videos...

7