To start – and to state my credentials – my entire childhood and teenage years were Barbie. From playing with Barbies, to introducing my younger siblings to Barbie, to later defending Barbie when criticisms would arise – she was my ride-or-die from the very beginning. So, when Greta Gerwig’s Barbie was released in theaters on the 21st, naturally, I HAD to go. The film was moving and hilarious and inner-child-healing. Everything I wanted it to be and more. In a lot of ways, I told my mom that it had essentially changed my life – or, more specifically, gotten it back on track. I’ve always connected with my inner self, but Barbie gave me permission to continue living that truth…times a million. Wear pink! Rock the sparkles! Host the garden party! Empower yourself! Check, check, and check!
(getting to my point here) SO, coming out of the movie, my first thought was: how can I bring more of Barbie into my life?
Queue: The Garden Party! The classic late-summertime gathering that feels like an elevated tea party in the best way. We’re going to enjoy the most lovely, light, fruity (& perfectly tart) citrus salad, along with some complementary raspberry mimosas. Too good to be true, right? Well – think again! They couldn’t be easier, especially for a group.
Invite your girlfriends (and guy friends! we need some kenergy!), have them dress up in their most fun ensemble, and enjoy some yummy salads, small plates, and pink drinks.
Find a park, post up in your backyard, or simply open all of the windows in your apartment. Yes, it is late summer…but we’re also imagining being outdoors. Set your table with delicate napkins, plenty of warm color palettes, and flowers galore! Finally, make sure you toss on the Barbie soundtrack – and I’m talking new AND old music. Princess and the Pauper, Swan Lake, modern day…you get the idea.
And finally – cheers to the ladies in your life, the gentlemen who support you, and yourself! After all, you threw a “giant blowout party with all of the Barbies, and planned choreography, and a bespoke song”.
Now – onto the recipes!
Sicilian Citrus Salad with Pistachios and Mint
Ingredients
- ½ cup shelled, unsalted pistachios
- 6 oranges of different varieties (i.e. blood, Cara Cara, and naval) preferably chilled
- 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
- kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
- ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 3 small cooked beets, cut into thick rounds *we used canned
- 1 medium fennel bulb, preferably with fronds, stalks removed and fronds reserved, halved, cored, and very thinly sliced
- ½ small red onion, very thinly sliced
- 15-15 oz jarred or canned oil-packed tuna, drained
- 1 cup green olives, preferably Cerignola or Catstelvetrano, pitted and coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
- flaky sea salt, such as Maldon (optional)
Instructions
- Toast the pistachios in a medium skillet over medium-low heat, shaking the pan occasionally, until they are fragrant and lightly toasted, 5-7 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool, then coarsely chop.
- Halve one orange and squeeze enough juice to yield 1/4 cup; set aside. Using a sharp paring knife, cut the peel and pith from the remaining oranges, then slice the fruit into thick rounds.
- Whisk together the orange juice, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a generous grinding of pepper in a bowl. Whisk in th oil.
- Arranges the oranges, beets, fennel, and onion on plates. Season with salt and pepper, then top with the tuna and olives.
- Whisk the dressing again to blend and spoon it over the salads. Top with the pistachios, mint, if using, and fennel fronds, if you have them. Season with flaky sea salt and more pepper. if desired, and serve.
Pink Grapefruit & Raspberry Mimosa
Ingredients
- 1 bottle rose champagne, chilled (we prefer Moet's Champagne Nectar Imperial Rose)
- 2 cups strained fresh pink grapefruit juice (from 3 grapefruits), chilled
- raspberries, for garnish
Instructions
- Fill a champagne flute halfway with rose champagne. Then, top with a pour of pink grapefruit juice. Garnish with 2-3 raspberries and enjoy!
