Weeknight Tailgate
Weeknight Tailgate

Can you believe it's already tailgate season again!?  The Huskies and Cougars both have games next week which means we all have to start planning how we're going to tailgate.  Since the Huskies will be playing in Hawaii to kick off the season, Dawg fans will have to tailgate from afar...  

While I was planning a little tailgate soiree, all I ran into was fall flavors and warm soups and cider. And I just couldn't do it.  It has been amazingly beautiful summer in Seattle and I'm not ready for summer to end - even if it means more football.

So I put together a perfect SUMMER tailgate with all of the fruit that is still ripe and a refreshing cocktail that you may not have tried yet!  Cheers to tailgate season

and GO DAWGS!

Also, if you aren't following me on

Instagram

, I suggest you hightail it over there!  There is going to be a huge HUMONGOUS giveaway this week that you'll want to be watching for!  Especially if you are a Cougar fan.

Get the recipes here

Spicy Summer Salsa

 ::  

Pineapple Margarita Salsa

 ::  

Michelada

PartiesAlexandra HedinfootballComment
Charm Hour :: Thom Collins
Charm Hour :: Thom Collins
Ali Hedin's summer cocktail - Tom Collins

It seems like the ultimate summer cocktail - the Tom Collins.  Mostly because I hear about it in the movies.  Then I discovered it's basically gin spiked lemonade and I was like H-E-L-L-O!  So here it is, my version with a little sparkling water to top it off.  And unlike it's original, it's spelled the way Thom was meant to be spelled, the way my dad spells it.  Consider it an homage to him.  He who loves gin and likes to say he shorted "Thomas" by just dropping the "ass."  

Hardy har har and cheers my dears.

CocktailsAlexandra Hedinsummer, ginComment
Station Party with KitchenSurfing.com
Station Party with KitchenSurfing.com

The Weeknight Party Girl got to throw the most amazing dinner party last week for a group of friends thanks to KitchenSurfing.  The usual problem with a weeknight dinner party is cooking the actual dinner part.  I've give you a few ideas

here

,

here

, 

here

,

here

 and

here

of things you can serve at a weeknight party that are simple and fabulous.  But what if you could have a chef completely cater the dinner.  And not in a "catering" way but in a truly special, unique, "there's a chef in my kitchen" way.

That's what Kitchen Surfing is - bringing the chef into your house.  We chose Chef Ryan who's ideas around local, organic, and simple were so similar to my own.  The menu she sent over was ridiculously awesome and we went from there.

To compliment the local and seasonally inspired menu I made a giant batch of my

Basil Gin G & T

and served it in my vintage ombre punch bowl.  The hilarious part about collecting vintage bar ware is how dramatically the serving size has changed over the years.  Five large fellas with tiny 1940's punch cups in their hands was awesome.

geranium ricotta on honey bruschetta

To go with the rest of the light summer dinner I had

our friend Matt

bring over a case of his phenomenal wine.  We chose the rose and the sauvignon blanc to pair with the fresh local flavors.  That and they are my favorite.  One of the perks of having good friends in the wine business!

I wanted to put something fun on each plate.  Since I had billed this as a "fancy-pants dinner party" it seemed like putting something completely the opposite of fancy pants was in order - in come grocery store chocolates.  Who doesn't love a Hershey's kiss?

my garden roses were in full bloom 

Summer Gazpacho

Melon, Mint, Basil and Pancetta Laced with a touch of chili pepper and Feta Crostini, cool, sweet and salty and a gorgeous hue. 

Crepe Pasta Ravioli

Spring Pea and Ricotta filled homemade pasta crepe, with Sausage, fried Sage and brown bacon butter with pea shoots and flowers

Blueberry Shortcake

Bow Hill Blueberries, Cream scone brown sugar short cake, honey whipped chantilly cream, balsamic syrup and honey thyme caramel.

I am so enamored with Kitchen Surfing.  The chefs are throughly vetted to be interesting and quality chefs who not only cook an incredible meal, but bring all of the ingredients, plate all of the food, and clean up ALL.OF.THE.DISHES.  I think this is a great way to celebrate a weeknight with friends.  But I think it's an even better gift!

You can GIFT a chef!  Think of the new parents who can't get out of the house for a date night!  Think of the birthdays you could celebrate!  Valentine's Day!

Check out KitchenSurfing.com and get a $50 credit

If you use Kitchen Surfing, tag it with #kitchensurfing because I can't wait to see your parties too!

Dinner ℅ Kitchensurfing.com

PartiesAlexandra HedinpartiesComment
Summer Fruit and Cheese Pairings
Summer Fruit and Cheese Pairings

Summer fruit is ridiculously amazing right now - it seems like everything is ripe at the same time.  Pair that with some fabby cheeses and a glass of rose wine and you're set for an amazing afternoon outside.  

pitted cherries  ::  basil  ::  burratta

nectarines  ::  beechers flagship cheese {or white cheddar}  ::  basil

apricots  ::  blue cheese  ::  mint

RecipesAlexandra HedinParty Food, Appetizer, summerComment
Charm Hour :: Ciroc Coconut Sangria
Charm Hour :: Ciroc Coconut Sangria

A giant pitcher of cocktails may be the best way to usher in the weekend.  And on a crazy hot weekend like this, a coconut sangria is perfection.  Hope you have a fabby weekend!  I can't wait to see you next week - I'm on Q13 FOX news on Tuesday morning with loads of summer entertaining ideas.  See you then!

CocktailsAlexandra HedinComment