Summer Smörgåsbord

Summer Smörgåsbord

The term smörgåsbord refers to a buffet-style table with a variety of dishes from which to choose. In Swedish, the word smörgås means “sandwich,” but we’ve put a lighter twist on things for this menu: Our summer smörgåsbord features refreshing dishes intended to stave off the heat. We’ve also kept our pairings very simple with inexpensive sparkling wines, as the palate seems to crave fruitiness and bubbles this time of year.

Light flavors and textures make this menu perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. For best results, dine outdoors!

Shrimp & Avocado Canapés
Roasted Asparagus with Tarragon Butter Sauce
Festive Fennel Salad
Silky Spring Beet Soup
Olive Oil Poached Sablefish with Citrus & Thyme
Fig Tart with Vanilla Crème Patissière

PAIRING NOTES

When it gets warm out, our palates naturally turn to white and sparkling wines for refreshment. With this particular menu, we recommend serving a less expensive Prosecco or Cava, as they are lighter and fruiter (less yeasty), and pair with a wider range of foods. We also see no need to serve expensive sparkling wines (i.e. Champagne), especially if you plan to invite a large group of people. Keep it simple!

MISE EN PLACE

For those curious about the meaning of mise en place, it is a French culinary term for “set in place.” If you have ever watched a cooking show, or been inside a restaurant kitchen, you will notice that next to the cooking area, things are set up just so. Ingredients, sauces and critical elements are ready to be used, whether pre-cooked, pre-chopped, or ready as a garnish. This kind of organized setup enables a cook to focus on the actual act of cooking itself without distraction. Our intention with this section is to use the same approach at home, enabling you to host your own special occasions with flair.