Summer dinner party recipes

Make our simple tomato bruschetta as a classic Italian starter. Ideal for a summer gathering with friends, this easy dish is fresh, tasty and full of flavour

Tasty fish and veg main course, perfect for making an impression at a dinner party, by Gary Rhodes.

Try making this classic Italian dessert with delicate vanilla and a fresh strawberry topping. The perfect light sweet for a chilled summer gathering

Look for Cornish, Devon or Jersey crab for the sweetest flesh to enhance these filo parcels inspired by the Tunisian dish brik. Serve with tomato salsa

Take pineapple, coconut and rum flavours from a classic cocktail into a stunning summer dessert with this piña colada tart with maraschino cherries on top

Toss lettuce, croutons and cheese in a punchy anchovy and garlic dressing for a traditional caesar salad – plus griddled chicken to take the flavour up a notch

Celebrate raspberry season with this take on crème brûlée. The sharp tang of this red fruit cuts through a rich custard base for the perfect summer dessert

Make a showstopper dessert for a picnic or dinner party using fresh strawberries. They team so well with the shortbread base, basil and creamy custard centre

Plump peaches poached in sparkling wine and served with silky smooth vanilla ice cream - the ideal summer pud

Ripe sweet cherries, creamy ricotta and salty prosciutto combine beautifully on these little toasts - the perfect nibble for a summer party

Add an extra fruity twist to this classic summer drink with pomegranate juice and seeds - double up the quantities to please a crowd

Roast a glut of summer vegetables and serve in this creamy Italian classic, finished with mascarpone and grated Parmesan

Combine Disaronno, lemon, egg white and cherries with ice for a classic amaretto sour. A great cocktail to impress guests at a dinner party

Make this speedy, cheesy veggie treat for a light supper, or starter. It only needs five ingredients and you can have it on the table in 15 minutes

Marvel at the combination of delicate white fish with caramelised citrus flavours and sharp capers. A great dish for entertaining

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

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