Summer dinner party recipes

Roast a whole chicken for this low-calorie lunch or dinner and save the leftovers for later - swap the chicken with hard-boiled eggs for a vegetarian version.

Make a simple, creamy dessert for a dinner party with very little effort. Pairing this white chocolate cheesecake with fresh fruit offsets the richness

Capture the flavours of summer in this simple, hearty couscous salad. With fried halloumi, vine tomatoes and courgettes, it's perfect for an al fresco lunch

This quintessentially British pud, packed with juicy summer berries, is so much easier than it looks, perfect for beginners

Cheat your way to dinner party compliments by making the most of your deli counter and creating this amazing antipasti

A great freeze-ahead fish pie recipe, packed with seafood and topped with crushed new potatoes. It feeds 10 so keep one in the freezer for last-minute entertaining

This all-in-one side dish can double up as a veggie main
course, perfect for summer

These cute summer trifles combine two raspberry classics and can be made several hours ahead and kept in the fridge

Thin strips of courgette and baby kale are the base for this light lunch or dinner, finished with creamy goat's cheese and crunchy croutons

Serve this vegetarian treat with crusty or garlic bread - just terrific on a balmy summer's eve

Make this salt cod recipe to impress at a dinner party. It's worth the time it takes to prepare and fish goes well with bacon if you get the balance right

Learn how to make cheesecake with our easy step-by-step recipe. Topped with fresh strawberries and a strawberry purée, it makes for a stunning summer dessert.

Try this light, creamy raspberry cake for a sweet summer treat

Serve beef rib meat at least medium-rare, if not medium, to cook the fat running through it. This gives the meat lots of flavour – great with a red wine sauce

Turn a classic comfort food pudding into a modern sharing dessert with Tommy Banks' take on bread and butter pudding. Serve with whipped crème fraîche