Active Aging
The final weeks of summer in September bring some of the most beautiful evenings filled with sunsets, soft breezes, and golden hour light. Enjoying late-summer meals on the patio with friends and family is a fantastic way to make the most of the light and healthy ingredients that are abundant during this season. This menu will give you fresh, colorful, and unique ideas to make any September sunset meal memorable.
Bright and Fresh Drinks
As summer days come to a close, September sunsets remind us of the garden harvest and bright, natural light. This Garden Gin cocktail strikes the perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and tangy, thanks to its gin base and additions of ginger beer and grapefruit juice. The soft pink-orange color mirrors the sunset and complements the fresh, bright flavor.
Alternative: For a non-alcoholic option, try this delicious Lavender Lemonade mocktail. The subtle purple and yellow hues match perfectly with the golden hour light. Make the lavender syrup ahead of time to chill until you’re ready to pour a glass at the start of your sunset meal.
Sophisticated Appetizers
If you’re enjoying a sunset dinner outdoors, imagine yourself on a beautiful European plaza, taking in the late-summer sights. Serving a sophisticated and healthy appetizer makes the experience all the more realistic. This Carrot Gazpacho is a simple, elegant addition to a sunset meal. A cold soup means your menu doesn’t need to change if the weather is still hot, and the antioxidants and vitamins from the vegetables help keep the dish healthy. You can juice the carrots yourself or buy premade carrot juice at any health food store. Add ginger to the gazpacho instead of jalapeno for an earthier flavor.
Alternative: If your guests don’t enjoy soup, offer these Greek Salad Bites that turn a commonplace side dish into sophisticated, bite-sized morsels.
Light and Colorful Main Dishes
Although September sunsets can bring chillier weather, it’s still a wonderful time to grill outdoors. This Pork Tenderloin Served with Pineapple Salsa can be made in under 30 minutes on the grill, so you can enjoy your drinks and appetizers with a sunset view while the main dish cooks. Choose red bell peppers, cilantro, and even avocado to pair with the pineapple in your salsa so that the vibrant colors jump off the plate. With such a colorful and light addition to top this lean protein, you can rest assured that you’ll have plenty of room left for dessert.
Alternative: For a vegetarian option, try this Asparagus Tofu Stir Fry. The yellow summer squash and green asparagus give the dish a bright pop of color and flavor that pair well with the hints of ginger and almond.
Unexpected Sides
Salads are a late-summer staple, but serving an unexpected combination of colors and flavors will give your meal an extra pop. This Grilled Corn and Blackberry Salad combines some of the best summer ingredients with rich hues and flavors that your guests won’t soon forget; as a bonus, this colorful and unexpected side dish is full of antioxidants and fiber to help keep the meal healthier. If you’re grilling the main dish, you can easily add the corn at the same time. The addition of radishes and avocado round out the textures and flavors, so don’t skip these ingredients.
Alternative: Instead of a lettuce-based side, serve this Tomato, Peach, and Corn Salad as a side dish. The tomatoes and peaches complement each other surprisingly well, and the corn adds just the right amount of crunch to the dish.
Awe-Inspiring Desserts
Your final course during a golden hour meal should look and taste as amazing as the sky. This Prickly Pear Ice Cream is brilliantly bright, yet with a subtle, sweet flavor that makes it the perfect end to any dinner. You can find prickly pears at many health food or international grocery stores, and homemade ice cream makers are easy to find (especially at a thrift store!). If you don’t have the ability to make ice cream at home, buy a rich vanilla at the store and drizzle Homemade Prickly Pear Syrup on top for a delightful alternative.
Alternative: For something dairy-free, try these Colorful Layered Fruit Jellies that you can make ahead and shape into any molds you have on hand. They look (and taste) like professional desserts despite their easy preparation.
Take advantage of the last colorful sunsets of summer with a meal that matches the atmosphere in both style and enjoyment.
