One of my favorite aspects of summer is the ability to enjoy outdoor dining. When I’m entertaining at home, I love to make use of the outdoor grill and yard as a way to keep guests entertained as well as hosting fun and stress free.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind…

• Had enough of fun in the sun? Have your event in the early evening when the sun and temperature have gone down.
• Plan your menu around the grill. This is the one time of year you can really make use of outdoor cooking. From meats to veggies, the grill is an easy no-mess station for cooking all your summer fare, right down to fruits such as peaches and pineapple.
• Keep your cool. Jazz up cold drinks with frozen grapes, berries & fruit juice ice cubes.
• Think “less-mess”. Serve easy to eat foods such as chips and dip, drumsticks, sliders and skewered meats and vegetables.
• Make-ahead recipes. Crunched for time? Go for “make-ahead” items such as salads, baked potatoes, and chicken, which can be baked in the oven and finished off on the grill a few minutes before serving.