This summer, serve up little ideas with big impact …
1 DRINKS IN THE GARDEN
Retro Pina Coladas are trending – stock up on paper umbrellas and maraschino cherries. Giant ice cubes are crucial – OXO does a good tray.
For a Berry Rosé Sangria, mix 550ml Lidl’s Pinot Grigio di Venezie Rosé, 150ml gin, 100ml lemon juice, 40ml simple syrup and a punnet of mixed berries in a large jug. Chill for 15 minutes. Add ice before serving.
Serve crisp and delicious Monsigny Brut champagne from Aldi. At €19.99, it’s the chic steal of the summer.
It seems the traditional Aperol spritz is over: serve the new grapefruit version: one part grapefruit juice, two parts Aperol, one part champagne.
2 BARBECUE PLANS
Put M&S’s Best Ever Burger (a mouth-watering combination of short rib, chuck steak and bone marrow which makes it taste like a restaurant burger) on your shopping list. You have to try them.
At The Village Butcher, Ranelagh, Dublin 6, husband and wife duo Michael and Sarah recommend a good steak marinade. For skirt steak: beer and fresh lime, for flank steak, bavette or sirloin: garlic, olive oil, salt, pepper, brown sugar and ginger. Delivery anywhere in Ireland; www.thevillagebutcher.ie.
The Butler’s Pantry barbecue packs are a stroke of genius. The Back Garden Barbecue feeds eight generously with dry-aged striploin steak, Angus beef burgers with sea salt and cracked black pepper, chicken skewers marinated in olive oil and fresh herbs, handmade pork and leek sausages, Mexican corn on the cob with coriander aioli and baby potatoes with herb and paprika butter. All this with brioche burger buns, chimichurri sauce and smoked chipotle aioli. Order by 10am on Tuesday for delivery by courier on Friday; €110; www.thebutlerspantry.ie.
Discover delicious artisan Scúp Gelato from lemon-coloured ice cream huts at Avoca Kilmacanogue, Dunboyne and Rathcoole.
3 SERVE FANCY ICE CREAM
We are converted to Lidl’s posh new Swirled Ice Cream in Mascarpone, Macchiato and Eton Mess flavours. Serve in a glass coupe and gussie up with pretty wafers or caramel waffles.
4 CAN’T COOK, WON’T COOK
Summon a pizza van from The Food Junkie. Not just any van – a vintage Citroen food truck with wood-fired oven – forget droopy Margheritas and think chorizo, smoked pancetta, roast beetroot, bell peppers and more; www.foodjunkie.ie.
5 THE PLAYLIST
Irish musician and producer Róisín Murphy updates her Róisín Caviar playlist every Tuesday with the coolest dance music. Listen here: www.spotify.com.
6 THE RIGHT ACCESSORIES
A pretty tablescape will go a long way. A simple layout of Irish ceramics on a simple linen tablecloth and flowers from the garden will be sure get you compliments. Pop a parasol over if the sun gets too hot for guests (here’s hoping…).
Discover Claire Finlay’s beautiful handmade bowls and platters at www.clairefinlayceramics.com.
Floral parasol, €450; www.interiorsatelier.ie.
7 THE EXPERT TOOLS
How many of us invest in a gas barbecue but do only the very basic cooking on it, not using it to its full potential as a full outdoor kitchen station? Having the right accessories means you can roast a delicious chicken, chargrill a big basket of summer vegetables, and prepare perfect seafood à la plancha. From Weber’s vast array of tools and accessories, these three have proved invaluable.
Poultry Roaster, €79.99; www.weber.com.
Smoker Box, €34.79, www.weber.com.
Deluxe Grilling Basket, €40.49; www.weber.com.