Summer dinner party ideas

Nothing beats making a meal for a few of your closest friends and getting to enjoy it outside. That relaxed feeling only comes with the warmer weather months, and I've been taking advantage of as many outdoor meals as possible.

Watermelon, arugula, feta, mint salad
Mint and watermelon literally scream summer and are a great refreshing bite to the spicier shrimp.
Serves 4
1/2 bag of arugula
2 cups cubed watermelon
1 block of feta cheese cubed
10 mint leaves finely chopped
Balsamic vinegar
Small squeeze of lime juice (over the watermelon)
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Olive oil

1. Mix the lemon, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil (amount to preference) for your dressing.
2. Add the arugula to a large bowl and either mix with everything else, or for aesthetic appeal layer the other parts and coat with dressing.

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp)
This is one of my favorite tapas to eat and one of the easiest to make.

Serves 3-4:
1 pound of shrimp (frozen and thawed or fresh)
2 tbsp. coconut oil
6 cloves of garlic minced
Cayenne pepper
Red chili flakes
Dried parsley
Juice of one lemon
Handful chopped cilantro

1. Add coconut oil and garlic to a hot pan till the garlic begins to brown. Add lemon juice (be careful of the splash), cayenne, and dried parsley to the garlic oil for a minute.
2. Spread out your shrimp on the pan. Cooking for a minute or two depending on the size and then flip to the other side. You want it so the shrimp is white and no longer that pinkish color. Not too long, no rubbery shrimp.
3. Plate the shrimp and add cilantro and more red chili flakes.
4. Pour the garlicky sauce from the pan over the shrimp and add olive oil if desired.

Corn, feta, guacamole
Tried this creation a few times with a few different versions and gotta say it's a winner.

3 avocados
Juice 1/4 lime
1/2 small can of corn
1/2 cup crumbled feta
Handful chopped cilantro
1/4 chopped red onions
Salt, pepper, cayenne pepper to taste

1. Mash your avocado and add the feta, onion, and corn.
2. Squeeze the lime and then make the cilantro and spices the final touch.
3. Serve with your favorite tortilla or root chips.