Every Fourth of July, I convince myself I'm going to keep things simple, and every year I end up with a larger-than-intended crowd in my backyard. My simple burgers-on-the-grill plan turns into  three coolers, a yard full of lawn chairs, and enough food to feed a crowd. 

For me, this is the appeal of summer hosting. It’s laid back, mixed generation, and with its own lazy momentum. Having the right kitchenware and tools is crucial for making your outdoor hosting go off with a bang this summer. That’s where GreenPan comes in. 

Why outdoor-flexible cooking is the best

It’s the relaxed nature of summer gatherings that I love so much, and GreenPan’s cookware gives me flexibility. Their cookware makes moving between indoor and outdoor hosting easy. 

For this Fourth of July, I invested in the Bobby Flay by GreenPan 6-piece cast iron set. These pre-seasoned cast iron pans are ultra-tough and ideal for using outdoors on a grill as well as on a regular stovetop. The flexibility adds to their appeal.  

My favorite piece from the set is the reversible grill/griddle pan. I can fit multiple burgers and hot dogs on it, so it’s perfect for grilling up food for a crowd of friends and loved ones. The grill press means I can get a deliciously crispy crust on the meat. 

One of the things I love about cast iron is how long it lasts. Bobby Flay’s GreenPan collection is sturdy and solid, and I know I’ll be using these pans for a long time to come, but indoors and out. 

Think beyond just cooking the main course outside

Having a super reliable and high-quality set of cast iron pans has opened up my worldview when it comes to outdoor hosting. My guests fell in love with a salad I made with peaches I cooked in the Bobby Flay cast iron 10 inch frypan. I halved some summer peaches and seared them inside the pan on the grill, giving them a caramelized flavor that went so well with torn burrata and basil I tossed with a citrus and olive oil dressing. 

Corn’s another outdoor hosting star player that cooks up so well on cast iron. I sliced some ears of corn into manageable chunks and got the outside nice and crispy on the griddle pan without making a mess on the grill itself. With some melted butter, they were unbelievably tasty. 

Hosting is a lot more enjoyable when you're part of the conversation instead of constantly running back inside to check on something in the kitchen.

GreenPan makes outdoor hosting simple

The older I get, the less interested I am in making holiday meals feel like a production. There was a time when I thought every gathering needed an ambitious menu and a few dishes nobody had ever tried before. These days, I focus on food and drinks that people genuinely look forward to.

Something that makes this approach a lot easier are GreenPan’s high-quality, easy-to-use kitchen equipment such as their Frost Pro, a countertop frozen dessert maker. This machine is an absolute must for a summer party, as it churns up frozen treats within as little as 15 minutes. 

For Fourth of July, I made some strawberry ice cream in advance and stashed it in the freezer so the Frost Pro would be free during the party to churn up a frozen watermelon slushy. I mixed it with lemonade for the kids and added a splash of tequila for the adults. So tasty, and so easy.