With the arrival of summer this week also comes lots of outdoor dining!
Be it a picnic on the grass, a candlelit dinner on the patio, or a barbecue on the beach we will find many reasons to eat al fresco.
We are fortunate here in San Luis Obispo because our fabulous Mediterranean climate affords us the opportunity to dine outside often throughout the year, spoiling us a bit.
Having lived in Chicago for 15 years before moving to our home in Maryland for 25, the first meal of the season served and eaten outside was an event to celebrate.
We waited with anticipation for that first glorious day that said “summer”!
With our recent heat wave here in Slo it definitely feels like summer has made its noticeable entrance!
The above dinner we enjoyed al fresco among my newly potted plants was simple. delicious, and required very little cooking.
We enjoyed warm pasta with cold sauce, and a platter of prosciutto wrapped melon. A refreshing glass of Rose wine completed the meal.
For the pasta I use either spaghetti or bucatini, but you could really use any shape you like, I sometimes add a splash of balsamic vinegar to the oil, and of course lots of fresh minced garlic (to your taste), and even more fresh basil…cause nothing says summer like fresh basil!
Make sure you have plenty of Parmesan Reggiano or Pecorino Romano on hand for grating on that pasta!