Simple Ways to Get Ready for Summer Entertaining (and an Easy Cherry Appetizer Recipe!)

We are in the swing of summer, which means it’s the perfect time to gather friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy a little backyard entertaining. If you’re like me and love the idea of hosting but don’t want to spend hours getting ready, I’ve got you covered.

I partnered with Weiman to bring you a simple and beautiful summer recipe along with my favorite tips for prepping your space quickly and cleaning up just as easily!

A Simple Summer Appetizer: Grilled Cherries with Whipped Goat Cheese

Okay, confession time: I can’t cook. But what I can do is whip up something that looks beautiful and tastes amazing, and that’s all you really need, right? This grilled cherry dish is one of my favorites for summer. It uses fresh, seasonal cherries (which are in full swing here in Milwaukee, Wisconsin!), and the combination of flavors is guaranteed to impress.

Ingredients:

2 cups fresh cherries, pitted
4 oz goat cheese, softened
2–4 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Instructions:

Whip the Goat Cheese
Combine the softened goat cheese and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Use a whisk or electric mixer to whip until creamy. Add more cream if needed, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Prep the Cherries
Toss pitted cherries with a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of salt.

Make the Balsamic Glaze
In a small bowl, mix balsamic vinegar and honey until well combined.

Grill the Cherries
Preheat grill to medium-high. Place cherries cut-side down on the grill and cook 2–3 minutes, then flip and grill another 1–2 minutes until lightly charred and softened.

Assemble the Dish
Spread whipped goat cheese onto a platter, top with warm grilled cherries, and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.

Garnish & Serve
Sprinkle with mint leaves for a fresh, summery finish. Serve warm or at room temperature.

This appetizer is creamy, tangy, sweet, and savory all at once, and it’s so pretty on a platter. Pair it with fresh bread for a full spread.

The Secret to a Spotless Kitchen (Even After Cherries!)

Cherries are delicious, but they can be a mess. The juice can stain your countertops, and sticky fingers seem to end up everywhere. That’s where my cleaning MVPs come in: Weiman cleaning products, crafted to provide expert care for your specialty surfaces.

Countertop Cleaning Made Easy

To clean up after my cherry recipe, I used Weiman Granite & Stone 3-in-1 Spray. It’s designed for a variety of stone like granite, marble, and quartz, so perfect for my kitchen. Just spray, wipe and those dark cherry stains are not only gone but this spray has special formulas to enhance the shine of my countertops and to help resist future stains!

Shine Up Your Stainless Steel

While I was tidying up, I also grabbed Weiman’s Stainless Steel Spray and Wipes because the kitchen definitely sees a lot of action. I used the spray on my sink and the wipes on the faucet and fridge. With little kids around, my fridge usually looks like a fingerprint art project. These wipes are absolute magic. No streaks, no scratches, just shine.

What makes it even better is the 3-in-1 formula that cleans, shines, and protects your stainless steel surfaces. It cleans grease and grime effortlessly and has a non-scratch formula, which is a big plus compared to other stainless steel-specific products that can be a bit abrasive. The finish came out smooth and spotless with a beautiful shine.

I didn’t want Mr. Yolo to feel left out, so his grill got the same wipe-down and now it’s gleaming like new.

Setting the Summer Scene

While grilling the cherries, I also prepped some colorful summer veggies to throw on the grill. Once they were done, I arranged everything on a big platter.

Before serving, I gave my stone coffee table a quick wipe with the Weiman Quartz & Stone Spray, laid out the food, and just like that – my backyard was ready for a little summer magic.