Summer Games Party Food

The Summer Games are a great excuse to gather your friends together and host a party. Whether it is a Summer Games themed party for a birthday or a Summer Games viewing party, you will need to create a fabulous Summer Games party menu. Summer Games party food can be as simple as a variety of international dishes that highlight the different countries participating in the games, or could include specific Summer Games party recipes. Below are some sample recipes for the Summer Games and tips on how to add a Summer Games-themed twist to your traditional party food.

Appetizers: Take advantage of the small size of appetizers to make a wide variety of finger foods that represent different countries around the world.  Simply scale down a common main course dish and make it a bite-sized Summer Games appetizer. (For example, a small portion of homemade fried rice served in mini Chinese food containers to represent China.) Another idea is to focus on the Greek origin of the games and make a variety of Greek appetizers. Try this Olive Tapenade recipe for a quick and easy Greek appetizer:

Greek Olive Tapenade Recipe

Ingredients:

• 3 cups of pitted black (Kalamata) or green olives
• 3 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3 teaspoons of Balsamic vinegar or very good wine vinegar
• 1-2 cloves of garlic, grated

Combine ingredients in a blender or food processor and blend for a few seconds or until desired consistency is achieved. Serve with toasted bread or pita chips.

Main Course: Try out a few dishes that are staples in the host country of the games. If you aren’t confident in cooking these new dishes, order take-out from a local restaurant that specializes in food from that country. Decorate the serving table with flags from the host country and label each dish with its name and an explanation if it isn’t familiar to your guests.

Dessert: Because desserts are somewhat universal across countries, it is difficult to carry the international theme through the deserts. However, this is a great opportunity to decorate with the Summer Games colors and rings. For a Summer Games dessert idea, bake some homemade Summer Games cupcakes and decorate the tops with designs inspired by the host country or your favorite Summer Games event. You can also try this recipe to make an Summer Games-themed treat:

Summer Games Donut Rings Recipe

Ingredients:

• 5 (or 10,15, etc.) store bought (or homemade if you prefer) glazed donuts
• 1/4 cup whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• Food coloring in Red, Green, Yellow, Blue, and Black

Mix the milk and vanilla and heat gently in a saucepan. Then slowly sift in the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth. Separate into five smaller bowls and add a different food coloring (enough for desired color) to each bowl and mix. Pour each over a different donut and let dry. For serving, arrange them like the Summer Games rings.

Drinks: For your adult guests, extend the Summer Games theme to your drinks. Find a cocktail recipe that represents the host country of the games, or make drinks to go with a gold, silver, and bronze theme. Here is a recipe for a Gold Summer Games cocktail:

Gold Medal Olympic Cocktail Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 oz. Goldschläger
• ½ oz. Grand Marnier
• 1 ½ oz. Ginger Ale

Pour Goldschläger and Grand Marnier in a glass. In a martini shaker, shake Ginger Ale with ice and pour into glass. Mix gently and serve.

The Summer Games only come around once every four years, so take advantage and get your friends together. With these Summer Games recipes and party ideas your event is sure to be gold medal worthy!