Say Goodbye to Summer With This Inspired Menu

Rip & Tan: Walk us through this menu. How did you land on these specific dishes? Any specific points of inspiration?

Olivia Muniak: This is a stop at a farm-stand, post-beach type of menu. Summer is one of the most sensory times of the year for me: I am reminded of summers in Long Island with my family, clamoring back from the beach with salty, sun-kissed skin, and that smell of charcoal when you get the grill going. The menu calls for very few ingredients, but it is oh-so-satisfying! Each dish is bursting with peak-season flavors: juicy and sweet stone fruits, zesty herbs, ripe tomatoes, that unmistakable bit of char from the grill, and something cooling with citrus for dessert.

I also included a recipe for a shrub, a classic fruit and vinegar syrup that is mixed with sparkling water for a zingy, refreshing drink. It is the perfect way to bottle up the last few flavors of summer. And you can add a shot of alcohol if you fancy!

Rip & Tan: Anything we need to keep in mind if we’re whipping this up without a grill?

Olivia Muniak: You can easily swap the grill for a cast-iron skillet or grill pan and cook the tomatoes in the oven. I cook the steak and tomatoes this way often!

Rip & Tan: Are there any ingredients we should be looking out for as we transition from summer into fall?

Olivia Muniak: I think summer should be divided into two seasons, and this time of year has ingredients that peak during this transitional summer period. Look out for Reed Avocados, which we used for this recipe, unique variety of melons (if you are in LA, check out Weiser Family Farms at various farmer’s markets for some of the best selections), as well as eggplant and celery. They are all great in salads and on the grill.

Rip & Tan: What are five kitchen essentials you think everyone should own?

Olivia Muniak: A high-speed blender like a Vitamix, a mircoplaner, an 8-9” chef’s knife that is regularly sharpened, (I like Global & Messermeister knives), and an enameled cast-iron pan (I am partial to my Le Creuset skillet but I use Staub as well). I also love a big butcher block for prep, I use an oversized Boos Block—it’s far superior to an average 12 x 14 cutting board.

Rip & Tan: What are your tried and true tips for hosting at home?

Olivia Muniak: Set your mise-en-place! It’s a French culinary term that is used in every professional kitchen, and it translates to “everything in its place” and specifically refers to how a chef sets their cooking station. So how does that translate to your kitchen at home when you are hosting? Prep every sauce or dish that can be served at room temperature earlier that day, and measure out every ingredient for things that need to be cooked while your guests are there. Even for the most expert cook and host, searching for ingredients, reading a recipe, and doing the majority of the cooking while trying to hold a conversation and pour wine is stressful.

I set the table and pull out all my serving pieces earlier that day. I also like to empty the dishwasher and clean counters one hour before guests arrive. My mise-en-place is set and it makes the whole experience more fun for me and I get to partake in the party too!

Setting my mise-en-place allows me to enjoy a cocktail with friends and nibble on some olives, nuts, and salty chips for 30-40 minutes. Then I can get back into the kitchen and guests don’t feel the need to help or clean! This is the time to enlist your partner or friend to keep making cocktails, pour the wine, and hold the conversation while you finish up the cooking.

Rip & Tan: Whether it’s a good bottle of wine or a crowd-pleasing type of cheese, what should we always have on hand for easy, last-minute entertaining?

Olivia Muniak: I take so many cues from Italy and Spain—they have the best dining culture in my opinion, and some of their aperitivo dishes or tapas are casual but delicious because of these ingredients. I keep a block of Parmigiano Reggiano and good mozzarella or burrata in the fridge, a variety of specialty nuts: Marcona almonds, Italian pine-nuts, and pistachios, a tin of anchovies and tomato paste, and good bread in the freezer—you can make an amazing meal from simply adding these ingredients to vegetables, fruit, pasta, or just enjoy as delicious snacks.