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Your best dinner menu ever!

Kick-ass cocktails, easy entrees and game-changing gourmet - by Diana Moore
  • 25 Oct 2018
Your best dinner menu ever!
rawpixel on Unsplash

Summer is the season of entertaining and as we head into the warmer months, everyone is looking for inspiration to put on the best show for family and friends – setting the table and gathering together to connect with fabulous food, wonderful wine and great conversation.

Here’s our gateway to summer entertaining in style and in a way that can be as enjoyable for the you, the host as for your guests.

Before you start

Light candles (make sure you’re getting the most out of them for maximum life) and get your smart hub set up with your favourite playlist.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Arnold Leung on Unsplash

Learn the secret to a perfect cheese platter and have a bounty spread out for your guests as they arrive to you can relax and chat as you prepare the entrée.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Cath Muscat

Set the table with fresh flowers or foliage from your garden, fancy linen and your best dinnerware. Make an effort to have it looking lovely on arrival to give your guests the promise of a wonderful evening.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Chris Warnes

On arrival

Prepare a cocktail that’s easy to put together as your guests arrive.

Try: Classic cocktail recipe: French 75 or a Classic Negroni

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever

For entrée

Choose something fresh and quick to prepare – seafood is a great choice!

Try: Dressed oysters with radish & cucumber salad 

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Nicky Ryan

or Garlic prawns in butter, chilli & parsley

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Cath Muscat

For main course

Pasta is always a winner and a great dish to share with friends for the main event.

Try: Lamb ragu with pappardelle

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever

...or a classic take on a sure-fire winner is Baked bucatini carbonara, which can be prepared ahead of time, giving you more time with your guests.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Nicky Ryan

Dessert

The pièce de résistance of a great dinner party, dessert can be as decadent as your tastebuds allow. Go for something simple to prepare such as a pavlova, or a little more decadent such as Dulche de leche and chocolate peanut butter puddings.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever
Chris Middleton from 'Low and Slow'

For a real show -stopper with berries in season, try Strawberry tarte tatin which has a touch of Cointreau in the recipe, that you could also serve on ice to finish.

Recipes for your best dinner menu ever

Te voila! The perfect dinner party, in which you relax and enjoy the evening along with your guests – they’ll be coming back for more!

  

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  • Entertain
  • Lifestyle
Diana Moore
Diana Moore
Content expert, florist and interior decorator Diana Moore has been passionate about helping others make the perfect home ever since she moved into her own. From styling her local bar to feel like your best friend’s lounge room, to randomly restyling people’s bookshelves, Diana is a firm believer in making the best of what you have in front of you.

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