Welcome to Sunday Reset, where we share how we're unwinding and what we have planned for the week ahead. This time, our Denver-based editor, Maurine, shares the last-minute dishes she's been making—and bringing outside.
Hello from Denver! For me, this summer seems to be the summer of last-minute hosting—and I'm not mad about it. Between in-laws passing through and friends needing a place to crash, I've had a lot of excuses to whip up something special. And because it's almost always sunny here, we usually enjoy that something special outside.
This week, I just found out, I've got more family joining me for a couple days. Which is to say, I'm hard at work planning the menu. Three rules here: First, I'm a wannabe vegetarian, so we're going meatless. Second, dessert is nonnegotiable. Third, everything must pair famously with sunshine and a warm breeze.
Here's what I'm thinking.
A batch of everyone's favorite granola for breakfast on the balcony—made ahead of time so guests can eat while I sleep in.
No-mayo pasta salad for a lunch in the park that hits all the right notes.
Black Bean–Chipotle Falafel Burgers for dinner en plein air, with a side of Nigella Lawson's shoestring fries, natch.
This Torta Caprese for a dessert that'll make us feel like we're in Italy. (The story behind it makes for great table conversation, too.)
