Bring Beauty Home with Alex Snodgrass

We’ve been drooling over The Defined Dish’s fresh, flavorful recipes for years. Alex’s laid-back and effortless approach to hosting is what we’re channeling this summer. To celebrate the change of seasons, Alex invited friends to her Dallas home to celebrate al fresco. Inspired by Italian flavors and seasonal simplicity, the party paired vibrant dishes with easy hosting strategies that let you enjoy the night as much as your guests. From a citrusy aperitivo to an espresso-soaked dessert, we’re taking notes for how to throw the perfect summer gathering without the stress.

Choose dishes that feel special without requiring too much fuss. For this event, I served melon and prosciutto skewers for the appetizer and finished with affogatos—both are crowd-pleasers that take just minutes to prepare, which let me focus on the main course.

Lay out your serveware and label what goes where. It’s a small step that saves time when it’s go-time—and helps

you enjoy the evening too.

Make anything in advance that won’t suffer from sitting. I batched the cocktail in a pitcher and prepped the pasta sauce and crunchy panko topping early. When guests arrived, all I had to do was boil the pasta and grill the salmon.

1. KEEP IT SIMPLE, BUT ELEGANT

3. Set the scene before guests

arrive

Italian margarita

Saucy Green Pasta with Grilled Salmon or Chicken

prosciutto + melon skewers with basil

Affogato

2. Prep ahead

wherever you can

3 Easy Hosting Tips from alex

the menu

cocktail

main course

appetizer

dessert

A fun twist on the classic — tequila, fresh lime juice, lemon juice, and a splash of Aperol. Serve over ice with a salt rim and a slice of blood orange for garnish.

Bite-sized skewers of cantaloupe or honeydew, prosciutto, and mozzarella with a basil leaf tucked in. Drizzle with a little balsamic glaze just before serving. Light, salty-sweet, and super easy.

Scoops of vanilla ice cream served in tiny espresso cups with a moka pot for guests to pour their own hot espresso over. Add a splash of amaretto to make it feel extra special — with zero stress.

Fresh pasta tossed with a vibrant, herbaceous, and creamy sauce made with garden-fresh herbs. Top with grilled chicken or salmon plus Calabrian chili breadcrumbs. Serve alongside grilled sourdough and a simple arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette.