There’s no denying it; summer is the most social season of them all. With its beach days, backyard BBQs and cocktails by the pool, summer is a time to get serious about relaxing and catching up with family and friends – and nothing much else!
So, when it comes to entertaining, why not let summer’s chilled-out mantra influence your party menu, too?
Thanks to these fabulously simple eats and drinks, throwing the season’s most delicious party is cinch.
Brought to you by Foxtel. For more summer recipe inspiration, be sure to tune into Foxtel’s The Great Australian Cookbook, Tuesdays at 8.45pm on Lifestyle Food. To get Foxtel or find out more, click here.
Salmon sushi balls:
Meet the round sushi roll – these smoked salmon sushi bites make an elegant twist on the party-nibble favourite. Click here for the full recipe.
Prawns cooked over fire with garden herb dressing:
Throw another shrimp on the barbie! Prawns always go down a treat – try Matt Stone’s prawn recipe from Foxtel’s The Great Australian Cookbook for your next BBQ. Click here for the full recipe.
Green tea and lychee cocktails with mint and cucumber:
Sweet, fruity and refreshing, these vodka-based Asian-inspired cocktails will be a cooling crowd-pleaser. Click here for the full recipe.
Matt Stone’s raw garden salad:
A simple, tasty salad you can pull together at a moment’s notice – the perfect BBQ side. Click here for the full recipe from Foxtel’s The Great Australian Cookbook.
Baked lemon ricotta hummus with pitta:
Hummus? Always a winner. Hummus with cheese? Genius. Click here for the full recipe.
Middle Eastern marinated lamb skewers:
If you love lamb, you’ll go wild for this recipe by Syrian-Australia sisters Sharon and Carol Salloum, owners of Sydney’s famous Almond Bar. Best bit? They take 10 minutes to cook. Click here for the full recipe from Foxtel’s The Great Australian Cookbook.
Hot olive cheese bites:
With a pinch of paprika, these cheesy, capsicum-stuffed olives pack a delicious punch. Click here to see full recipe.
Scallop bites with avocado and lime:
Prepare to watch these zesty bites disappear right before your eyes; scallops on blue chips with avocado, coriander and lime. Click here for the full recipe.
Pineapple and chilli margaritas:
Give your margarita some tropical spice with pineapple and chilli. Click here for the full recipe.
Five spice squid with lime mayonnaise:
Crispy and succulent, these Chinese five-spice squid parcels are a perfect starter. Click here for the full recipe.
Mini cream cheese tarts:
Make the most of the season’s beautiful berries with these bite-sized cream cheese and passionfruit pastries. Click here for the full recipe.
Mini prawn cocktail rolls:
Seafood is a hit throughout the warmer months. And thanks to the mini bread roll, you can now enjoy a classic prawn cocktail while standing! Click here for the full recipe.
Wholemeal blini and salmon salsa:
Topped with a flavour-packed sweet-chilli salmon salsa, these chia seed wholemeal pikelets are downright delicious. Click here for the full recipe.
Cherry cheesecakes:
Mini and easy to enjoy with only one hand free (the other, of course, holding your lychee cocktail!), these cherry bites take the cake for sweetest summer dessert. Click here for the full recipe.