The August Menu! A Spanish Inspired Summer Feast

Happy August!! How is it already the last month of summer?! I am simply not ready for it to end, and I am a certified fall lover. So, let’s celebrate it to the fullest am I right?!

Last year, I created a menu to honor the “summer finale” and all of my classic favorites to round out the summer season. You of course can turn to that menu at any time, but if you want to do something special and different, I invite you to enjoy my Spanish Summer Menu.

To be honest, I was originally stumped on what to do for August. I was feeling a little burnt out and stuck in the classic cookout menu rut. Thennnn the world cup happened and I started hyperfixating on my trips to Spain and all the delicious foods that I enjoyed there. It dawned on me…how have I not hosted a Spanish inspired dinner party? I know that French, Greek and Italian are the more popular European cuisines here in the US, but let me tell you, Spain should be in the top as well.

Here’s why I think a Spanish menu is the ultimate summer entertaining move: it’s the cuisine no one else is doing. Everyone’s got an Italian night or a Greek spread in their back pocket, but Spanish? That’s the one that makes people go “wait, this is incredible, why don’t we eat like this all the time?” Even better, it’s basically built for the host. Most of this menu is grill-based and tapas-style, half of it is just as good at room temperature, and that means you’re out at the table with a glass of sangria instead of trapped at the stove. It looks like you fussed. You did not.

Now, one important note before we dive in: this is NOT traditional Spanish food, and I would never claim it to be. I’m not here to give you an authentic, by-the-book paella recipe passed down for generations. I’m simply inspired by the flavors, ingredients, and spirit of Spain, and I’m taking my own spins and twists on them to do my own thing. Consider this Spain through my lens, filtered through a summer dinner party and a whole lot of love.

This is the menu for a slow, sun-drenched evening with the people you love. Think a big pitcher of something cold (preferably sangria), everyone gathered around the table a little too long, and plate after plate of food that tastes like a warm night in Barcelona. It’s the kind of spread that looks impressive but actually lets you sit down and enjoy your own party. Vamos!

grilled crusty bread, ripe grated tomato, good olive oil, and flaky salt

The most humble, most perfect way to start a Spanish meal. It’s really just toasted bread rubbed with garlic and piled with sweet grated tomato, but somehow it becomes the thing everyone reaches for again and again. I love serving it as a big platter in the middle of the table so people can graze while you finish the paella.

charred baby potatoes with a creamy, smoky, paprika-spiked aioli

My love letter to patatas bravas, with a summer twist. Instead of frying, I grill the potatoes until they’re crispy on the outside and creamy in the middle, then serve them with the smokiest, most addictive brava-inspired aioli. Warning: people will fight over the last one.

smoky grilled eggplant, rich romesco, and buttery marcona almonds

This is the sleeper hit of the menu. The eggplant goes silky and smoky on the grill, the romesco brings that gorgeous roasted red pepper and almond richness, and the marcona almonds on top add the perfect little crunch. It’s proof that vegetables can absolutely be the star.

saffron rice, sweet shrimp, and blistered sungold tomatoes

The showstopper. The moment the paella lands on the table, everyone goes a little quiet, and that is always the goal. The rice is golden and saffron-kissed with that coveted crispy socarrat on the bottom, the shrimp are plump and sweet, and the burst sungold tomatoes add little pops of summer sunshine. This is the dish people will be talking about long after the plates are cleared.

caramelized crustless cheesecake, toasted marshmallow cream, and summer cherries

The dreamiest way to end the night. Basque cheesecake is famously easy (no crust, no water bath, gloriously burnt on top), and I’ve dressed mine up with a toasted marshmallow cream and juicy summer cherries. It’s rich and jammy and a little smoky, and honestly the perfect bittersweet bite to toast the last of summer.

As always, the full booklet with all five recipes, wine pairings (hello, sangria and a crisp Albariño), make-ahead timelines, substitutions, and your complete grocery list is exclusive to my paid members! I also tried out a new format this time, please let me know if you like it!!!

Now go pour yourself something cold, turn up the music, and let’s send summer off in the most delicious way possible. ¡Salud!