If you live anywhere in the South, you know Summer can get very hot! There are some wonderful things about summer, though. Slower schedules, pool time, outdoor activities, and lots of fresh food options make it a fun time of year. When it comes to summer catering, there are some potential challenges to serving food, but it can be a wonderful time to utilize fresh ingredients and create beautiful experiences.  

Summer Catering Tips

As a catering business, Mealfit does our very best to provide a great experience for each of our customers. When planning a summer catering event, we have the tools necessary to keep foods fresh and deter unwanted guests from the food. If we are providing food for an outdoor event, we will set up fans to help keep bugs away, we will keep dishes covered until time to serve, and we put cold foods on ice to keep them cool even in the heat of summer! 

Favorite Summer Recipes 

Now that we have covered the practical side of catering in the summer, let's talk food! Here are a few of Mealfit’s favorite recipes for a summer catering event!

Table and Thyme Cowboy Caviar

One of Mealfit’s favorite summer recipes is Cowboy Caviar from Table and Thyme. It’s a deliciously flavorful and savory summer appetizer that uses fresh ingredients you may already have on hand. You don’t have to settle for simple salsa — Cowboy Caviar can be served with chips, crostini, or as a topping on tacos. Check out the recipe:

• 1 can of black eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium tomato, diced
• ¼ large red onion, diced
• ½ poblano pepper, diced
• 1 small yellow bell pepper, diced
• ½ avocado, diced
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 Tbsp olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl until well combined. Serve with chips or as a topping on tacos. Feel free to play around with the ingredients — add cucumber, peaches, or any other fruit or veggie that you like!

Half-Baked Harvest Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad

Summer in the South means lots of peaches! We love this colorful Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad by Half-Baked Harvest. This salad is perfect for summer with the colorful fresh fruits. It is full of flavor with a honey vinaigrette made with fresh herbs, too. Head to your local farmer’s market and stock up because you will want to serve this salad at your next gathering! Take a look at the recipe:

Vinaigrette

• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup balsamic or champagne vinegar
• 1 Tbsp honey
• ½ shallot, finely chopped
• 1 clove garlic, grated
• 1 tsp lemon zest
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh oregano
• 1 Tbsp chopped fresh thyme

Salad

• 1 ½-2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2-3 peaches, sliced into wedges
• 1 cup pitted fresh cherries
• 2 balls burrata, at room temperature
• ¼ cup toasted seeds

Instructions:

For the vinaigrette, combine all ingredients in a glass jar and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust the chili flakes, salt, and pepper as needed. For the salad, in a large bowl toss the tomatoes, peaches, and cherries with ⅓ of the dressing. Let sit 15 minutes at room temperature or up to 4 hours in the refrigerator. Break the balls of burrata around the salad. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette and top with pumpkin seeds and additional fresh herbs. Serve with grilled or toasted bread.

Mealfit Makes Summer Catering Easy

The Mealfit catering menu offers a variety of options with salads, proteins, and several sides to choose from for your next summer catering event. One of the favorite main dishes we offer is Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken. It is perfect for summertime events and is a crowd-pleaser. We would love the chance to cater your next event! Mealfit specializes in foods that use fresh, real ingredients and offer up flavor that can’t be beat!