The Outdoor Table

Discover how to pull off the most delicious and entertaining outdoor gatherings with 100 easy yet special recipes, party planning advice, and curated menus.

What’s the secret to every outdoor gathering? Is it the tasty but not overly fussy food? The warmth of a good host who doesn’t disappear into the kitchen halfway through the night? The fresh air and sunshine that somehow make everything taste better? It’s all of the above, and now, you don’t have to sweat it because The Outdoor Table shows how to master the art of outdoor entertaining. Author Maria Zizka starts with the first rule of party planning (being, there are no rules!), then walks readers through some options and considerations to host guests comfortably—from serving supplies to decorating tips and to location strategies. The array of recipes includes snacks, sides, and salads so good they could be the whole meal, like Oyster Mushroom Kebabs with Honey-Soy Glaze, Meatball Sandwiches with Parsley-Pistachio Pesto, and Arugula and Smoked Salmon Salad with Everything Bagel Croutons. There are mains that can be made ahead (like Yogurt-Marinated Grilled Chicken with Za’atar-Tahini Sauce), as well as dishes that can be whipped up in just a few moments (such as Zucchini Steaks with Whipped Garlicky Feta). Fabulous desserts like Nectarine-Raspberry Shortcake Cake and Cherry Chocolate Almond Blondies make the most of nature’s gifts, and weekend brunch staples like Bacon-y Breakfast Potato Salad and Make-Ahead Strawberry Butter French will be sure to impress every guest. Plus, batch cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks—a Prosecco Pomegranate Spritz pitcher and a Lemon Verbena Arnold Palmer—make bartending easy. Throughout, Zizka offers expert advice to coach readers through the party-planning process, from scouting the perfect location to creating an outdoor tablescape, making it even easier to get together with loved ones.