At the dawn of summer, people spend more time outdoors and start planning barbecues, pool parties and picnics. But as the mercury rises, thoughts turn to lazing in front of the air conditioner instead of being out in the searing, sticky heat. With a little creativity, you can entertain outdoors while keeping cool this summer.

Plan Ahead — No Sweat!
It’s never fun to run around in the summer heat so plan to begin preparing recipes the day before. From marinating meats to preparing sauces, have many items stored the night before allowing for easy preparation the next day. That way, you can sit back and enjoy the party with your friends and family.

Made in the Shade
Make sure to have plenty of shaded seating available at your party. Place seating around your yard under large trees or wide deck umbrellas so guests can eat, drink and lounge comfortably. If the air is stagnant, use a few outdoor fans to create a gentle, cooling breeze.

Set the Tone with Colorful Decorations
No need for expensive centerpieces; instead use fresh flowers and herbs to make delightful centerpieces. Use cool tones like blue and green for the decorations to keep the ambiance refreshing. Placing citronella candles around the yard also adds to the relaxing atmosphere while keeping mosquitoes away. Make sure to choose small, votive candles so they don’t add to the heat.

Frosty Summer Drinks
No summer party would be complete without tasty frozen drinks for adults and kids alike. From margaritas to frozen lemonade, nothing says summer like a cold beverage. Make sure to use a strong blender, such as the Black and Decker Cyclone Blender which has 12 different speeds to powerfully puree, crush and blend. As the name implies, the unique jar shape and, four planes of blade rotation create a cyclone-like force you can actually see — it’s fun for the kids to watch too. For more information, visit www.BlackandDeckerAppliances.com.

Outdoor Grilling
If your party food needs to be cooked, make sure to do it all on the grill. Potatoes, vegetables and even fruit can be delicious when prepared on the grill. Avoid using the oven to keep the indoors from heating up.

Cool Cuisine
For side dishes, enjoy cool treats such as watermelon, frozen cherries and grapes, salads presented on refrigerated plates and ice cream or sorbet for dessert. Step it up by making a cold soup such as gazpacho — a cool Spanish tomato-based soup, or a chilled fruit soup made by blending frozen fruit with fruit juice and spices.

Here’s a cool recipe to try at your next hot summer party.

Cyclone Smoothie
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup frozen Pina Colada Drink Mix
1 medium banana, broken into 3 pieces
1 cup frozen strawberries
2 cups ice

Add ingredients in the order listed. Blend using Pulse several times (three to five times). Blend on PUREE until smooth.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Tags: pina colada, smoothie recipes, smoothies, strawberries

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