Entertaining recipes and tips

Whether it’s a casual catch-up, festive celebration or a foodie feast, there’s nothing better than gathering with friends and whānau. Here you’ll find easy entertaining recipes, party food ideas and simple hosting tips to help your next BBQ, dinner party or drinks-and-nibbles night go off without a hitch.

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Easy broccoli salad

Make the most of the humble veg in a fresh and vibrant salad—perfect for lunch, dinner or the ultimate green side for the summer BBQ.

  • Serves 10

  • 12 mins

CHARGR3

Chargrilled pork summer salad

This chargrilled pork salad is perfect for easy lunches or barbeques on sunny days. It’s packed full of fresh summer flavours like sweetcorn, avocado, cucumber and baby leaf salad, and will have you feeding a crowd in under 40 minutes.

  • Serves 8

  • 35 mins

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Satay beef skewers

Succulent marinated beef skewers served with a luscious peanut butter, coconut curry sauce with fresh ginger and lime. Cook on the backyard BBQ for a sunny summertime feast that is not to be missed.

  • Serves 4

  • 20 mins

BBQCORN-Summer-2020_8

Barbecued corn with flavoured butters

When the weather gets warm, there’s nothing like corn cooked on the barbecue. Sweet and juicy, with just a hint of smokey char – it’s the perfect side to any meal. The only way to make it better is to add one of these delicious flavoured butters!

  • Serves 6

  • 25 mins + soaking time

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Indian-inspired BBQ chicken drumsticks

Prepare ahead of time to make this super simple! This spiced and fragrant take on chicken drumsticks is perfect to pop on the BBQ for the ultimate warmer weather dinner.

  • Serves 4

  • 45 mins + marinating time

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Entertaining dishes

Refreshing beverages

Easy finger food

Planning tips

  • Adopt the ‘buy some, make some’ mantra. There’s no need to cook a menu entirely from scratch.
  • If you’re serving canapés, allow five per guest for a one hour function, or eight for two hours. 
  • Stock up on non-perishables. Christmas cake, crackers or biscuits are good to have in the pantry in case of unexpected guests.
  • Ease your workload by including a couple of items that can be made up to a day ahead, or have ‘do-ahead’ elements that can be put together just before they go to the table.

    • On the day

  • If you're serving a main meal, allow around 45 minutes between guests arriving and sitting down to eat. This gives everyone time to mingle and settle in.
  • Cheese is best served at room temperature, so remove it from the fridge at least two hours before serving.
  • If you are having a BBQ or serving food outdoors, make sure you check the weather forecast and allow for a plan B. Have sunblock, rugs and insect repellent available if needed.

    • Thirsty? Tips  for serving beverages

  • Serve your guests a welcome cocktail or mocktail as they arrive. It adds to the festive vibe and will make feel special.
  • Let guests make their own cocktails. Have a few favourite recipes on cards, and all the ingredients on hand.
  • Make sure you have some soft drinks or juice available for a non-alcohol option.
  • Ensure that you have plenty of ice. You don’t want to run out in those hotter months.
  • Place fruit, herbs and flowers in an ice tray, then fill it with boiling water and keep it in your freezer for a night. Out will come beautiful, clear ice cubes with surprises frozen in the middle!

    • More Christmas recipe collections:

    Summer drinks
    Christmas desserts
    Pavlova recipes
    Christmas dinner
    Turkey dinner
    Christmas baking