Summer Entertaining
Summer Entertaining
Whatever the Weather!
As I am sitting here watching plump rain drops hurl themselves against my window, it seems a little perverse to write about barbecues, patios and outdoor entertaining. But hopefully by the time you read this you will be basking in the sun sitting in your wonderfully scented garden. If not – you’ll just have to use your imagination!
We all agree that our British climate is rather unpredictable and we complain about it whatever it may be doing. However it is not necessary for the weather to control us – our gardens can help us prolong the summery season. It is possible to make outdoor entertaining a reality whatever the weather and with only a little planning you can turn your back yard into a fine outdoor living room!
Assuming it is a day like to day, wind breaks could be a rather good idea. Consider reed screens that not only provide protection from the elements but also afford a degree of privacy. Pergolas also give a surprising amount of protection. Edging one or two sides of your patio with a thicket of Bamboo will give some protection from the wind whilst providing the most relaxing of sound effects as the evening breeze (or howling gale) rustles through the canes. Wind-chimes and water features also add to a relaxing audio ambience. But if you really want to take it one step further, consider copying a rather romantic colleague of mine. He keeps a cage full of crickets on his patio which chirp away gleefully allowing him to reminisce of sultry Mediterranean evenings.
Even the smallest of outdoor areas can serve as entertaining space with a bit of imagination. The path between two terraced houses can be transformed into a luscious glen. Place shade loving plants such as Ferns and Fatsia japonicas in bold terracotta or glazed blue pots. Place New Guinea Impatiens in an array of terracotta pots and wall hangers to give splashes of dramatic colour. Mirrors mounted on the walls create an illusion of more space, whilst strings of lanterns add the finishing touches. And remember your feet! Those fancy new mules, sandals or brogues are unlikely to appreciate wet soggy grass, so consider laying a small area of decking to ensure dryness underfoot.
Whilst you are setting the scene you must consider lighting – especially if you are into evening entertaining. Lighting can make all the difference to atmosphere. Permanent lighting features can be used to light up foliage or ornaments with dramatic effects. Please make sure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and if in any doubt get a qualified electrician to check the wiring for you. For electric light without the fuss of wiring, consider solar power. The easiest way of all to create lighting effects is to use candles, lanterns and oil lamps. There are so many to choose from. One of my favourites is a Japanese oil lamp . It is a sphere of granite, hollowed out to hold the lamp oil with a wick emerging from the centre. It is perfect in its simplicity and adds an unusual oriental touch. Strings of lanterns with nightlights are also a very cost effective way of producing garden party lighting.
Various lighting also have the dual benefit of acting as insect repellents. Citronella candles and organic insect repellents are worthwhile investments for scratch free evenings.
It’s all very well setting the scene, but if you are shivering in layers of woolly jumpers and cosy fleeces you really won’t have any fun without the sun… But fear not! Outdoor heaters have come down in price dramatically and many are really quite affordable nowadays. An alternative to the gas fired heater is the Mexican Chimenea which can be used as a patio warmer or a barbecue. These stylish handcrafted pottery chimneys make an ideal present and bring a touch of rustic charm to any patio or garden.
Now the very word “barbeque” is likely to conjure up some emotion in most of us. Barbequing can be a very serious business indeed. Amazingly about 54 million barbeques were held last summer and half of all households own a barbecue set. Although I loathe stereotyping – research shows that men swell up with pride at the thought of their barbeque prowess whilst women sigh and resign themselves to the potential family feud! Nevertheless most of us still enjoy the barbeque and year after year debate the pros and cons of charcoal or gas. These days there is such a huge range of barbeques, you are bound to find one that suits your needs – even if it means buying a charcoal one for yourself and a gas one for your partner!
The key to a successful barbeque is the length of cooking time and the temperature of the coals. It is essential that the food is cooked thoroughly without burning on the outside. The trick – however boring it may seem, is to cook the meat in the kitchen first and then transfer it to the barbecue to finish it off. It may take away some of the thrill of the flames and smoke but it sure beats a bout of food poisoning! Be bold when barbequing and forget the burgers in buns. Try dishes such as herrings with orange tarragon stuffing or Maryland chicken kebabs and really impress your friends and neighbours!
Although the sumptuous smell of your barbequed food may be sufficient for some, scented plants around your entertaining area provide a wonderful touch. Grow scented plants that give off a sweet scent as they are brushed against, such as thyme or rosemary or other herbs that can be added straight to your barbequed dish to give the freshest of flavours. Plants such as Night Scented Stock gently perfume the air on warm summer evenings and when the sun shines you can throw away all those tempting holiday brochures and soak up the pleasure of being in your very own garden.
By Miranda Rijks.