Beauty Guide

It’s summer time, and the grilling is easy. But with swimsuit season in full swing, you won’t win any hostess-with-the-mostess awards by stuffing your pals silly with heavy, beefy patties and franks. We asked David Tutera, author of America Entertains (Stewart, Tabori and Chang, 2003) and celebrity party planner for the likes of Barbara Walters, Prince Charles, the Rolling Stones and Elton John, to share his tips for throwing a healthy summer shindig. Your friends will never know you’ve lightened the menu (unless they happen to get on the scale) and you won’t sabotage your own plans to drop a few pounds.

Starters

Why offer the ubiquitous onion dip with limp potato chips (and watch your shady neighbour double-dunk), when healthier, more flavourful options abound? Skewer shrimp and pineapple chunks on the grill for low-fat nibbles, or mix grape tomatoes and watermelon balls for a vibrantly coloured first-course salad. Alternatively, David suggests rolling newspaper, wax paper or white construction paper into cones to fill with grilled asparagus and green beans. Your friends can mingle as they nosh.

Sip Lightly

Party drinks needn’t be a choice between decadent pina coladas (mega calories, morning-after bloat) and deprivational diet soda (it’s a party, after all). Strike a delicious compromise with white wine sangria brimming with fresh fruit. Or, try David’s signature swill: Blend Belvedere vodka, seltzer and a splash of diet lemonade. Garnish with mint.

Main Courses

“You don’t need to be at the beach to have a clambake,” says David, who steams lobster, mussels, clams, shrimp and low-fat turkey sausage along with corn, leeks and onions for a summer seafood classic. You could also serve grilled mahi mahi or tuna brushed with honey on a bed of greens with a side of grilled fruit, fruit salsa or mango chutney. It’s an an entr

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