Summer is finally here and it’s a great time to celebrate with family and friends! Whether through a casual get-together by the pool or in the park, this is the time to enjoy. The Washington Metro area is filled with ample opportunities to get out, cook out, and have fun with great food and friends!
The DMV is truly an international melting pot encompassing many different cultures, which makes the possibilities for ethnic menu offerings more exciting than ever! Corporate team building events often take advantage of the diversity this area offers by showcasing a certain ethnic cuisine at their events, or mixing and matching with various food stations! Some great ideas include Japanese picnics featuring grilled chicken Yakitori, steak teriyaki, sesame noodles, and Asian coleslaw. Pair these items with a nice cold Sake, and green tea ice cream with lychee fruit for a refreshing summertime dessert! For Latino offerings, try carne Asada, fish tacos, ceviche, and flan for dessert. Top it off with fresh, fruity sangria and you’ve got a favorite summer menu loved by all. For Greek enthusiasts, consider grilling chicken Souvlaki skewers and Shish kebabs, accompanied by fresh crisp Greek salad, sweet, flaky baklava and Ouzo as an aperitif.
Other popular summer cookouts include tailgating at Nationals games to make America’s favorite pastime even more enjoyable! Baseball, hot dogs, and homemade apple pie… it doesn’t get much better than that! Crab feasts are also a tried and true summer tradition. Since the Maryland blue crab has started to make a comeback from being endangered, it’s time to pull out the mallets, bibs, and Old Bay seasoning to enjoy this local favorite with friends and pitchers of ice-cold beer.
For non-alcoholic beverage options, infused waters and fresh, fruity sips are becoming more and more popular, as they compliment summertime cookouts perfectly! Watermelon infused water with fresh mint, mango mint or citrus tea infused water are ideal for quenching your thirst on a hot summer day! Looking for something a little sweeter? Tropical mango & papaya, kiwi, and wild berry fruit sips topped with crème fraîche are to die for and serve as a delicious treat!
Finally, we can’t forget about Oktoberfest! As the summer comes to an end, take advantage of the season and celebrate with grilled brats, soft pretzels, potato pancakes, Weissbier, and apple strudel. Don’t forget a good Oompah band to keep everyone going and send the summer out with a bang. Prost!
