There are plenty of good reasons to break out that bottle before 1 p.m., not the least of which is the fact that it’s far cooler outside earlier in the day! Deck out your patio and invite the gang over for a bodacious gourmet brunch pre-beach outing and you’ll all be glad you did. When you fill up on decadent bites earlier in the day, you’ll make more room for sunshine-filled hours playing with friends and family. Who knows, you might even have so much fun you’ll skip the day’s plans and end up lounging around the yard till dinner. Tip: A garden hose, a case of chilled rosé, and a few kiddie pools are all you really need to stay cool this summer.
Go spicy!
Hot weather doesn’t mean you can’t sprinkle on the spice. Turn humble Huevos Rancheros into a stellar scorcher with a fresh and vibrant salsa verde and array of hot sauces procured at the local Mexican market. Allow your guests to top their entree with whichever fixing they fancy: lime wedges, barbecued corn, and crumbly queso fresco!
Click here for mapping and directions to JUSTIN Winery
Drizzle on the honey
There is nothing prettier than a beautiful chunk of honeycomb catching the morning light. Fry up some universally beloved French Toast and watch the forks fly. Allow the honeycomb to act as a centerpiece, and encourage guests to partake in the fun with their own honeycomb wand for drizzling. Top toasts with powdered sugar and ripe summer berries, then garnish with edible rosemary flowers for a truly epicurean experience.
Chronic Cellars 2015 Eunice – A mix of chardonnay, viognier, roussanne, and marsanne, this wine has a gorgeous perfume of peach, apple, and white flowers.
Click here for mapping and directions to Chronic Cellars
Flakey fun
There’s nothing more delicious than a fresh, flaky croissant. Or is there? Spring for a dozen chocolate-filled versions at the local bakery and you’ll be everyone’s best friend. Top with marmalade and orange zest (and maybe even a wedge of cream cheese for epic smearing and savoring).
Click here for mapping and directions to Écluse Wines
A piece of the pie
This quiche recipe isn’t as hard as you think (you can even buy store-made pie crust and pass it off as your own; no one will notice). The best part? You can throw in whatever’s lingering in your fridge, from leftover ham and green onion to earthy mushrooms, cheddar, and broccoli. Get creative! Serve with a dollop of sour cream and prepare for leftover requests! Best to have tupperware on hand.
Click here for mapping and directions to Rangeland Wines
This blog was written by Hayley Thomas Cain, food and wine writer for SLO New Times and PasoRoblesWineries.net. You can reach her at hthomas@newtimesslo.com or follow her on instagram @flavorslo.
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