SOIRÉE SERIES: Ladies Pasta & Paint

The inaugural Pasta & Paint — appetizers, lunch & painting en plein air, served poolside, in early summer.

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I've started hosting a pasta and paint soirée series outside by the pool. We eat, then we paint (weather permitting). It gives me a really great excuse to gather the gals together, and to try my hand at a few new recipes. Plus, I can take the opportunity to design a pretty menu.

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We eat,

Then we paint.

This first meal of summer brings focus to the warmth of the sun and bright days ahead. A fresh melon salad is complemented by a touch of hot honey and lime juice, while a comforting cheesy gnocchi pairs well with sun-dried tomatoes and chilled glasses of limoncello.

The Menu:

ANTIPASTI

Charcuterie

INSALATA

Aqua Fresca Melon Salad

watermelon, cantaloupe & mozzarella pearls

with hot honey & lime drizzle

PASTA

Creamy Garlic Gnocchi

gnocchi with spinach, pine nuts & sun-dried tomatoes

in cheesy garlic cream sauce

BEVANDE

Lavender Lemonade

with optional limoncello shots

Guests gathered 'round the BYOB & snack buffet of cakes, cookies, and charcuterie for the group to either catch up or create new connections while I finished cooking, before we laid out the table to serve. We dressed our places in white and green linens alongside my favorite citrus candlesticks (I thought them fitting with our theme being a touch Italian, with the gnocchi and limoncello). We rounded out our ambrosial meal, swapping tablecloth for dropcloth, and spending a few more hours painting the perfect portraits of our dogs.