Take It Outside

A casual summer menu

When we think of summertime, we think of relaxation first. A close second: great meals with good friends. This casual menu gives you the best of both—summer entertaining that won’t make you break a sweat. The salad, pork, and onions can be made ahead of time (leave the dressing off the salad until the last minute), and all four dishes would be outstanding enjoyed alfresco. You’ll wish it were summer all year long.

Cuban Green Salad
with Avocados Cuban Green Salad with Avocados Universally loved flavors combine in this simple summery salad.

Mayan-Style Pit Pork
(Cochinita Pibil) Marinate the meat up to a day ahead, let the pork finish cooking as you relax with company, then serve the shredded bits wrapped in warm corn tortillas.

Pickled Red Onions These make an addictive snack all on their own, but they’re even better tossed in with the pork.

Creamy Rice Pudding
with Broiled Plums Creamy Rice Pudding with Broiled Plums Made with Arborio rice for an extra-creamy texture and topped with sweet-tart bites of plum, this no-fuss dessert will turn everyone into a rice pudding fan.