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Summer entertaining need not be a chore. Fire up the barbeque for a laid back alfresco lunch with friends. Eating outside should be relaxed and enjoyable. If you prepare everything in advance you can spend all your time sipping sparkles with your friends instead of running to and from the kitchen.

Keep your menu simple, marinate your fish or meat the day before and the flavours will develop, prepare your salads before your guests arrive and keep them chilled in the fridge.

You can be really adventurous with your salads, creamy blue cheese goes well with spring onions, nuts and crunchy lettuce like Romaine. Griddled aubergines and courgettes, seasoned and mixed with a jar of roasted peppers create a Mediterranean feel. Diced butternut squash roasted then mixed with crumbled feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and crushed black pepper. The combinations are endless.

Dessert can also be delicious but really simple. Peel and poach some pears in red wine and sugar and serve with your favourite liquor poured over them, Grand Marnier for instance. Crumble Amaretti biscuits and combine in a glass with summer fruits and your favourite indulgent ice cream. Eton Mess is another crowd pleaser and so easy, all you have to do is combine the three ingredients broken Meringue, thick cream and sliced strawberries. What about a fruit fool?

Strawberry Fool

• 450g Strawberries
• 180g caster sugar
• 300ml double cream

Hull and chop your strawberries and put them in a bowl with half the sugar and leave for 30 minutes so they exude their juices, then pulse them in a blender. Then whip your cream until thick and combine with the rest of the sugar. Now stir the two together to get a marbled effect. Serve in a big bowl or 4 individual glasses.

Cheers!

However, you may have your own ideas, so let our team know your likes and desires, and we can create a gastro feast for you to remember – call us on 0118 373 2311

summer entertaining barbeque alfresco mediterranean the great food company