Barbecues have become the standard for outdoor summer entertainment. Let The Nest help you think outside the boring burger box!

Tapas Potluck

Tell your friends and neighbors to bring a European-inspired tapas dish or drink. We love the idea of a create-your-own pizza station where guests can grill pitas laden with delicious Mediterranean toppings.

Italian: Pitas with fresh mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, and (for the meat lovers) some sliced salami or prosciutto.
Greek: Pitas with feta, caramelized onions, olive tapenade, and mint leaves.
Turkish: Pitas with grilled eggplant and haloumi (grilling cheese -- if you haven’t tried it, drive to your nearest cheese shop and get some!).
Spanish: Pitas with Manchego cheese, Spanish ham, and pimento peppers.

For drinks, you’ve got to have sangria, limoncellos, and a crisp, sweet Muscadat. After dinner you can dance to Greek music and get totally into the spirit.

Photo: David Tsay