Salmon Summer Dinner Party

Hummus/bean dips are a simple and delicious way to start off a dinner party. Complement it with a variety of color vegetable sticks (carrot, celery, bell peppers).

The colors of the Salmon with Tomato Olive Salsa, and the Arugula Green Bean Salad are a visual feast excelled by the flavors of the food.

Preparation Guide

Two or three days before

• Buy groceries
• Review all serving dishes
• Decide on linens (tablecloth, napkins etc)
• Decide/prepare centerpiece (i.e. flowers)

Day before

• Make the Cilantro, Pea Hummus. Place on a serving dish, cover with saran wrap and store in refrigerator
• Make the Raspberry Buttermilk Torte
• Cook 3 hard-boiled eggs (if using) for Arugula Green Bean Salad
• Prep Tomato Salsa by chopping olives and storing in a closed container, chop onion and mince garlic, store in closed container
• Make salad dressing for Arugula, Green Bean Salad
• Cut up carrot and celery sticks, place in covered container in refrigerator
• Wash and put away all dishes

Day of

• Set up drink station, set up buffet table with platters and serving utensils; plates and flatware; set up dessert area with cake, plates and forks
• Wash, trim and steam the green beans for the salad
• Three hours before guests arrive
• Make rice, leave covered (can serve at room temperature). When cool, place in a serving bowl and cover.
• Make Tomato Salsa for Salmon. Place in glass serving bowl, cover with saran wrap and put in refrigerator
• Prep salmon so it’s ready to go in oven. Cover with saran wrap and place in refrigerator
• Place carrots and celery on serving plate; place pita chips in a basket
• Take out Cilantro Pea hummus and bring to room temperature
• Toss arugula and green beans in salad bowl, cover and leave at room temperature
• Wash and put away all dishes

30 minutes before serving

• Prepare salad with arugula, green beans, half of eggs (if using)
• Preheat oven, bake salmon. When done, remove from oven, rest 5 minutes, then place on serving platter. Spread Tomato Olive Salsa over the top putting remaining Tomato Olive Salsa in a small glass bowl for people to add as they wish
• Toss salad with salad dressing, sprinkle remaining egg on top