With the warm weather and glorious sunshine here, who isn’t thinking of the outdoors? Warm summer nights and late sundowns could not be more perfect for creating memories with friends. It’s time to iron out the cheerful tablecloth and dress it up with pretty plates and colourful arrangements of garden flowers. Select a playlist of light music, hang up the patio lights and all that’s left is to get the drinks and food ready, and here’s how easy that can be!

Al Fresco Drinks

Chilled white wine or Rosé will always be winners for al fresco dining. But how about signature fun cocktails like the ones recommended by our friends at Manning Canning? Cucumber Lime Gimlet and the alcohol-free Shrub Soda will go far to impress your guests. In additon, set out a bucket full of ice with colourful, eye-catching cans of Chrisoda, their newest beverage, a premium soda with cold pressed fruit juice, light bubbles and an infusion of organic Apple Cider Vinegar. Not just delicious, but also good for you!

Manning Canning is an independent Ontario-based small business run by two really nice people, Christine and James. They also make jams and preserves, teach other small food entrepreneurs how to go from zero to something better and operate a growing commercial kitchen.

But we digress….!

Outdoor dining Menu

Your outdoor dining menu should be as light and easy as the drinks. With an abundance of locally grown seasonal ingredients coming to farmers’ markets nearby, how about a simple garden salad with a vinaigrette dressing?

Also, did you know you can eat curries cold? In fact, they help to cool you down on a hot summer day. A few years ago, Chef Monica Kelly, a huge fan of our products, suggested pairing up our stews with crispy slices of green apples and serving them as you would “chips and dip”.

But here’s something new that we conjoured up for the summer. It’s delicious, and like everything we suggest, super-easy to make. A juicy middle-eastern summer wrap, made with our best-selling product, Tiffinday Chickpea Curry Stew!

Tiffinday Chickpea & Tomato Stew

If you love Channa Masala, then our Chickpea and Tomato Curry Stew is the best one you will ever taste! Yes, we are biased, but honestly, you should try it! With a medium spice level, the recipe is perfectly balanced with the sweetness of caramelized onions, the tartness of tomatoes and a variety of other spices like cinnamon and garlic.