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Your perfect summer make-ahead menu

Take the stress out of summer dining with our make-ahead summer menu. Prepare everything you'll need before your guests arrive to maximise time spent with loved ones instead of time in the kitchen. Starting with a refreshing strawberry lemongrass spritz, tucking into Vietnamese-style pork as a main and finishing off with a gorgeous coconut, mango and raspberry trifle, this summery menu is sure to impress.

  1. Strawberry, lemongrass and ginger spritz

    Make up a batch of this zesty ginger and lemongrass syrup up to a week ahead of the big day before topping up with prosecco, ice, soda water and fresh strawberries when your guests arrive.

    Strawberry, lemongrass and ginger spritz
  2. Parma ham, watermelon and peanut summer rolls

    Prepare these sweet and salty summer rolls with a fiery chilli and ginger dipping sauce up to 6 hours ahead and leave in the fridge until you're ready to serve.

    Parma ham, watermelon and peanut summer rolls
  3. Sue's 'dive in' crispy pork noodles

    Prep all the ingredients for this fresh noodle salad and tangy dressing ahead of time. Peel and slice cucumbers and carrots and whisk together the gingery soy dressing the day before prepping the pork for your summer feast.

    Sue's 'dive in' crispy pork noodles
  4. Coconut, mango and raspberry trifle

    Impress your guests with this gorgeous tropical summer trifle, made with ginger custard, mango jelly, coconut whipped cream and plenty of fresh fruit. Trifles always benefit from a decent amount of time in the fridge, and this recipe is no exception with every element happy to sit in the fridge fully assembled for up to 24 hours.

    Coconut, mango and raspberry trifle