Summer is the perfect time to fire up the grill and enjoy the great outdoors with friends and family. A grilled menu is a fantastic way to keep hosting simple yet delicious. Here, we'll guide you through the ultimate 3-course menu that's easy to make, clean up, and guaranteed to satisfy a hungry crowd. Plus, we've included wine pairings for each course to elevate your dining experience. 

Tips for Hosting a Low-Key Dinner for Friends

Hosting a dinner party doesn't have to be stressful. Here’s a tip: keep everything on the grill! This approach minimizes the mess and allows you to enjoy more time with your guests. With the right recipes and wine pairings, you can create a memorable meal that's both delicious and hassle-free. 

Course 1: Grilled Veggie Feta Salad

Start your meal with fresh, vibrant flavours. This colourful grilled salad combines the natural sweetness of grilled red peppers, red onion, zucchini, and corn with the tangy richness of feta cheese. Drizzled with balsamic vinegar and a healthy garnish of fresh basil, it’s sweet, salty, and delicious.

Ingredients: 

• Red peppers 

• Red onion 

• Zucchini 

• Corn on the cob 

• Olive oil 

• Balsamic vinegar 

• Fresh basil 

• Feta cheese 

Directions: 

1. Prep the Veggies: Slice the red peppers, red onion, and zucchini into thick strips. Husk the corn. 
2. Grill to Perfection: Preheat your grill to medium-high heat. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and place them on the grill. Cook until they are tender and have beautiful grill marks, turning occasionally. Corn should be grilled until slightly charred. 
3. Assemble the Salad: Cut the grilled corn off the cob and mix it with the other grilled vegetables in a large bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar, sprinkle with fresh basil, and crumble feta cheese on top. 

Wine Pairing: Jackson-Triggs Proprietors’ Selection Sauvignon Blanc is a refreshing and crisp choice to complement the feta cheese and smoky flavours of the grilled vegetables. With each sip, you’ll savour aromas and flavours of lemon, gooseberry, and green apple. 

Course 2: Grilled Kabobs & Fingerling Potatoes 

For the main course, how does juicy chicken or steak kabobs with tender, herb-infused fingerling potatoes sound? Kabobs are always an easy crowd-pleaser and incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize them with your favourite marinades, veggies, meat, and seasonings.  

Ingredients: 

• Fingerling potatoes 

• Red peppers 

• Onions 

• Olive oil 

• Fresh thyme 

• Rosemary 

• Chicken or steak pieces for kabobs 

• Wooden or metal skewers 

Directions: 

1. Prep the Potatoes and Onions: Slice fingerling potatoes and onions. Place them in a tinfoil bag, drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with fresh thyme and rosemary. 
2. Grill the Kabobs: Thread chicken or chicken pieces onto skewers. Preheat the grill to medium-high heat. Grill the kabobs, turning occasionally, until the meat is cooked through. 
3. Cook the Potatoes and Onions: Place the tinfoil bag on the grill and cook until the potatoes are tender, and the onions are soft.

Wine Pairing: For chicken, we recommend BASK Pinot Grigio, a zero* sugar wine with aromas of pear and lime and a clean and refreshing finish. If you’re grilling steak, opt for Jackson-Triggs Grand Reserve Pinot Noir, an earthy and medium-bodied red with bright acidity and juicy tannins.

Course 3: Grilled Pineapple with Vanilla Ice Cream

End your meal on a sweet note with this irresistible grilled pineapple dessert. The natural sweetness of the pineapple is enhanced when you grill it. Paired with a luscious caramel sauce and a scoop of creamy vanilla ice cream, this dessert is the perfect combination of smoky, creamy, and sweet.  

Ingredients: 

• Pineapple, sliced into rings 

• Vanilla ice cream 

• Butter 

• Brown sugar 

• Cinnamon 

Directions:

1. Prep the Pineapple: Slice the pineapple into rings. 
2. Make the Caramel Sauce: In a small saucepan, whisk together butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon over medium heat until melted and well combined. 
3. Grill the Pineapple: Brush the pineapple rings with the caramel sauce and grill on medium heat until they are tender and have grill marks. 
4. Finish with Toppings: Place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of each grilled pineapple ring. Drizzle with any remaining caramel sauce. 

Wine Pairing: Jackson-Triggs Reserve Sparkling Moscato is an expressive wine bursting with tropical, floral, and citrus aromas. The palate is lush and flavourful, and the delicate bubbles will elevate the sweet and smoky dessert for an extra special treat.