Daydreaming about warmer days and lighter evenings? We’re with you on that one. Picture this: it’s been a long week at work and you’re basking in the feeling of the weekend having only just started. To unwind, you can’t think of anything better than an alfresco meal, a glass of your favourite drink, and either curling up with a good book or socialising with friends.
At Norwich Glass Company, we like to think that with the right space, we’ve got all the components to help you be the hostess with the mostess. Whether it be helping you to create the dedicated space itself, such as a projecting balcony, or providing inspiration for the most important part, the food.
We’ve asked our team to choose some of their favourite alfresco feasts that don’t take long to make and are perfect for outdoors.
Snacks
These quick snacks are perfect alongside a cool drink in spring or summer, meant to be eaten alfresco.
Mint and courgette dip with pitta crisps
Make a deliciously minty dip by frying up some courgettes and garlic. When they’ve cooled, mix these with cannellini beans, lemon juice, yoghurt and mint. Brush some pitta bread with oil, tear it up, and then bake until you have the perfect chunky crisps for dipping.
Cherry tomato bruschetta
Delicious and fresh, these crunchy treats are perfect for eating in the sun. Mix tomatoes, garlic, thyme, fennel seeds, salt, vinegar, and some oil in a baking dish and roast until the tomato skins blister. Drizzle baguette slices in oil and bake them, then spread on some goat’s cheese. Top with the tomatoes and enjoy.
Lunches
A nice light lunch in the sun can’t be beaten. These three recipes are all family-friendly, perfect for impressing anyone visiting.
Classic toasties
Sometimes, nothing beats a toastie. Keep it classic with some sharp cheddar and good ham, or level it up with a goat’s cheese, apricot jam and thyme mix. There are a million different combinations when it comes to toasted sandwiches, so get creative.
Veggie hummus pasta salad
Whip up some hummus (or buy it from the local shop), then toss it with cooked pasta. Add chopped cucumber, spinach, tomatoes, olives and some chickpeas. This light lunch is a crowd-pleaser and tastes even better with a bit of crumbled feta.
Prawn bruschetta skewers
You’ll need a BBQ or grill for this one. Get some large prawns and cubed bread (a baguette is good, but ciabatta or focaccia is better). Push a skewer through the prawn tail, then push on a bread cube, then finish with the head of the prawn. The prawns should curve around the bread.
Drizzle it all in oil and garlic, then grill or barbecue them and squeeze on some lemon juice while they cook.
Dinners
When eating outside, meals need to be quick to prepare to avoid getting stuck in the kitchen. Each of these dishes takes 20 minutes or less, giving you more time to relax outdoors.
Salmon platter
The perfect light dinner, this is the ultimate sharer for friends. Simply lay out a spread of smoked salmon, hot-smoked salmon, cooked salmon, rolls, and a refreshing yoghurt, dill and cucumber salad. Add in some deviled eggs and you’ve got yourself the perfect alfresco evening picnic for adults.
Peach salad with pistachio goat’s cheese
This salad is a fruity delight for vegetarians. First, grill some sliced peaches until caramelised. Mash some vegetarian goat’s cheese in a bowl and form it into small balls. Chill them while you chop some pistachios, then coat those cheese balls in the crushed pistachios.
Spread the grilled peaches and cheese balls on a bed of rocket on your platter. Finally, drizzle over a mix of honey, balsamic vinegar and oil.
Teriyaki salmon
Fry some salmon fillets and get some noodles boiling. In a pan, stir-fry peppers, peas, spring onions and garlic, then pour over some teriyaki sauce and some water from the noodles.
Pop the cooked salmon and noodles in with the veg and toss it together, then drizzle on some soy sauce. Absolutely delicious.
Drinks
Is there anything better than enjoying a cold drink in the sun? These three beverages are refreshing favourites, perfect for sipping outside on comfortable outdoor furniture.
Watermelon Margaritas
Cube up a watermelon and pop it in the freezer the night before. When you’re ready to serve, drop those frozen cubes into a blender with tequila, triple sec, lime juice and honey. Mix up a glass rim sprinkle using sea salt flakes, sugar, lime zest and chilli flakes for a kick with every sip.
Pimm’s Cups
An English classic. Pour your Pimm’s, add lemon juice, then top it up with lemonade. Finish it by adding strawberries, orange slices, cucumber, and mint to create the perfect refreshing summer drink.
Non-Alcoholic Lemon Sherberts
Refreshing and fun for kids and grownups alike, these sweet and sour lemon drinks are delicious. Zest some lemons and cook the zest with some sugar and water. Add citric acid and lemon juice once it’s cool then pour the mixture into plastic cups. Pop a straw in each cup and put it in the freezer.
When it’s time to serve them, let them melt a little then squeeze your cup to crush the ice.
Make it a reality
Eating alfresco is one of the joys of the warmer seasons and this doesn’t have to be just a daydream, you can enjoy a little slice of something special. With a beautiful glass balcony, you can impress friends with your food and the view.
If you already have a balcony but want to upgrade it before your alfresco dinners, get in touch with our expert team. We can replace old wooden and metal railings with glass panels for the ultimate home update.
Or, if you find yourself without a projecting or cantilever balcony and our outdoor recipes have inspired you to host, we can help. We’ll cut and install a brand-new balcony onto your home, making your alfresco dreams possible.
If you’re interested in learning more about our glass balconies and the design process, give us a call on 01603 431 409. If you’ve already decided that a projecting balcony is for you, then you can use our online request form.