Summer is finally here, which means one thing: Martha Stewart has to have a hot dog on a bun with relish, ketchup and mustard. But not just any frank will do.
“It has to be grilled perfectly,” laughs the domestic diva, who is currently taping “Grilling Secrets of the Master Chefs,” which airs on the Hallmark Channel on June 24.
For Memorial Day, Stewart will be in Maine, grilling lobsters, whipping up mini rhubarb pies — she’s got loads of rhubarb in her garden — and taking her Hinckley Picnic Boat out for its first spin of the year. And, of course, she loves a good parade: “You go and wave your little flag and celebrate the high-school band and the veterans and the fire department,” she says. Still, she saves the bunting and the flags for her Independence Day celebrations.
“Memorial Day is still a patriotic holiday — but it’s not so red, white and blue,” says Stewart.
To add to your party-throwing panache, here are seven tips for entertaining today — and beyond — from Stewart and the new editor-in-chief of Martha Stewart Living, Pilar Guzman.
1. Make hors d’oeuvres fun and easy: Garden-fresh veggies and dip make great starters. Instead of having everyone hover around the platter, give your guests single servings they can mingle with: Dollop some dip into cups, then add sliced vegetables, standing them up. The best part? Double dipping is not a problem!
2. Add color to your table: It’s easy to customize your table with napkin rings modeled on preppy grosgrain ribbon belts. Cut a 9-inch ribbon. Notch one end and loop the other through two 1-inch D-rings. (Find them at sewing stores.) Wrap ribbon around the rings’ straight edges, gluing it back with fabric glue. This will secure the D-rings so they’re attached to the end. Wrap the ribbon around a rolled napkin and fasten it like a belt.
3. Give this idea a shake: Add recycled style to your picnic table with cute salt and pepper shakers you make yourself. Place a piece of tape over the lid of a mini jam jar. Use a marker to make a pattern for holes, such as an S and P. Use a pushpin to make the holes, then remove the tape.
4. Get creative with cocktails: Create a signature drink for the summer using refreshing ingredients. Add a punch of color to the classic mojito with a grapefruit-mint version of the drink. Hate mojitos? Martha suggests you download her new cocktail app for more hints.
MARTHA’S RECIPE FOR A REFRESHING MEMORIAL DAY COCKTAIL
5. Serve summer favorites — with a twist: To make corn on the cob even tastier and better for you, swap olive oil for butter, and add some zippy seasonings along with a little salt. Try pesto; grated lime zest; fresh thyme and pepper; or chili powder, cumin and coriander. And why not experiment with some new combos on the grill? One that can’t be beat: Wrap a piece of ham around a little grated Swiss cheese and thread it onto a soaked wooden skewer. Add a couple of dill pickle slices. Brush with vegetable oil and grill for about two minutes per side. It tastes like a mini Cuban sandwich, minus the bread!
6. Speedy cool-down: Forgot to chill the white wine? Just try this trick: Wet and wring out a dishtowel, and wrap it around the bottle. Refrigerate it for 30 minutes, or freeze for 15 — and you’re ready to chillax.
7. Delight with dessert: Make the most of summer fruit with a fabulous pie or tart using seasonal ingredients, such as rhubarb. For a barbecue or picnic, try individual-size strawberry-rhubarb “pielets,” made in mini muffin tins, which are sure to impress your guests. Serve them à la mode using a melon baller to form tiny scoops of ice cream.