Easy Summer Dinner Platter!

For when you've run out of things to grill!

There comes a time, usually towards the end of the summer, that we run out of grilling ideas! If you are in need of some new inspiration for a summer dinner party, then you have to try this one! It was inspired by a meal I had during my week in Florence, Italy, with my daughter.

Missed that episode? You can watch it here.

Why You’ll Love This:

• You can load it all up on one large platter and bring it to the table to serve family-style

• The balsamic chicken is juicy and so flavorful!

• The peperonata is the perfect summer vegetable side dish that can be served hot, cold, or at room temperature

• Everyone goes nuts for those crispy potatoes! My video below will give you the tips!

• Even better? Most of it can be prepped in advance!

• See below for dessert pairing ideas!

• So go ahead, invite that couple over you’ve been meaning to all summer long because now you have the perfect menu!

Watch The How-To Video Below!

Some Dessert Ideas for this meal:

These desserts would pair beautifully with this Summer Dinner Platter!

Ultimate Panna Cotta with Strawberry Rhubarb Compote

Easy Plum Crumble

Burnt Basque Cheesecake

Life in France Update!🇫🇷

We have had a busy summer, to say the least! But I feel better knowing my eldest daughter has secured a darling apartment in Florence, and I’m already looking forward to returning in September to help her move in! My youngest is getting ready to experience La rentrée, the French “Back to School,” which is experienced on the same day across all of France and is celebrated like a cherished holiday!

My husband Philippe is living his best summer settling back into France, reuniting with childhood friends and family, and navigating a mountainous to-do list for settling us here permanently (French ID cards, Health Cards, social security numbers, the whole bit! It’s a full-time job!)

Our boxes in L.A. being loaded up and heading this way!

So where’s our Stuff?

I just received an email that all the things we shipped from L. A. will arrive in the Netherlands on September 6th, and then it is TBD when they will actually get to us here in France. Ironically, I can’t remember exactly what is in all those boxes, and now that we are settling in and storage is so tight, I wonder why we even packed any of it! LOL!

This is the closet my husband and I will share! We only have room for 1 season at a time! We share a dresser in the bedroom, and then bed drawers help too!

We’ve been enjoying the small-town perks of coastal living, and I’ve been working on mastering the art of French grocery store shopping! But to be honest, I’m really looking forward to October 1st. This is when the tourists will be gone, the girls will be back in school, and I’ll be able to breathe a sigh of relief! And start back on my exercise regime! Because all this amazing French food is going to catch up with me eventually! Here are a few of my favorite things I’ve been enjoying here!

The “Apero Platters” at the local beach cabin. A great place to end the day while enjoying a glass of wine and cheese. Isn’t the way it’s presented so “effortlessly chic?” the bread slices come in a little brown bag.

An incredible poached white fish on a bed of red rice and cubed vegetables drenched in a Beurre Blanc sauce. To die for!

Accras de Poisson. Highly addictive fried fish balls with a spicy kick!

Always a sucker for anything pistachio (must be my Silician roots) this local ice cream shop has the BEST pistachio ice cream! And you have to love their cute “branded cookies” that are served with every scoop.

A Heartfelt Thanks!

To all of my paid subscribers, thanks for following along with my French Life Stories! It means to much to have you support this new little “passion project” of mine :)

Next week, I’ll be sharing my journey learning French and what my 20 years of language acquisition has taught me! So if you are trying to learn a second language stay tuned; my thoughts may inspire you and I’m coming with tips!

Interested in the paid community? You can upgrade below! And catch up with these two past stories Our First 24-Hours in France, My Grocery Store Olympics!