Entertaining Seasonal Summer Entertaining 13 Family-Style Sharing Platters That Make Summer Dinners Easy The secret to hosting a fun gathering is putting out one of these irresistible self-serve spreads. By Anna Kovel Anna Kovel Anna is a freelance writer for MarthaStewart.com. Editorial Guidelines Published on July 19, 2023 Photo: Christopher Testani If you're looking for a relaxed yet elevated way to entertain, family-style dining puts everybody at ease. The casualness of self-serve platters creates the perfect vibe: fun, warm, and with the people at its heart. With a meal like this you can focus on flavors and colors without having to plate different courses—and fewer dishes to wash is always a bonus. Follow our recipes for inspiration, or find your own way to spin it, keeping in mind that there should be a unifying theme, something familiar, so everyone can take just as much as they want, and choose their own adventure. In summer, when we want to keep the heat out of the kitchen, one main course dish can be the solution to creating a memorable gathering—and keeping your cool. 01 of 13 Grilled Vegetable Agrodolce Ryan Liebe A sophisticated antipasto platter can be so good that it becomes the main attraction, or you can follow it with a simple pasta or a large salad. Here, a flavorful marinade allows you to prepare seasonal vegetables ahead of time and focus on making a lovely array of sliced meats and cheeses just before guests arrive. View Recipe 02 of 13 Smoky Clams and Fregola Ryan Liebe Similar to a crab or shrimp boil, but with clams and sausage, this brothy bowlful is just as fun to eat. Place small bowls for the empty clam shells on the table beside the plates. Instead of using the tiny pasta shape called fregola, another small pasta such as orzo or ditalini can be used—or simply add more corn to the pot. View Recipe 03 of 13 Bacon-Lobster-Tomato Sandwiches Nothing says fancy like lobster, and nothing says casual like a build-your-own sandwich board. With lobster cooked and cracked ahead of time, you have the makings of a beautiful meal to enjoy by the pool or under a leafy tree. Bacon-Lobster-Tomato Sandwiches 04 of 13 Grilled-Salmon Salad Summery and pretty, this main course salad works for lunch or dinner—and is even suitable for brunch. The eggs and potatoes can be prepared in advance, with all items arranged on the platter just before serving. Instead of the Niçoise-style anchovy dressing, you could substitute a mustard vinaigrette or Green Goddess dressing. View Recipe 05 of 13 Sea Scallops Over Shallot-Herb Pasta Elizabeth Cecil A lovely tangle of herbed spaghetti makes a bed for scallops and fennel just off the grill. Shallots, feathery fennel fronds and other herbs can be chopped in advance, waiting just until the pasta is cooked before finishing this dressing. Note the use of a grill basket, which helps prevent small pieces of fennel from falling through the grill grates, but is not essential. View Recipe 06 of 13 Saffron Chicken Kebabs Golden, grilled pieces of chicken with sweet onions and tomatoes complete the best backyard atmosphere. Guests gather around a large serving tray, tear off a piece of flatbread, and assemble their own plate, with fresh herbs and a spicy sauce. Feel free to serve with another sauce, like tahini or tzatziki, and substitute more vegetables for the chicken if your party leans vegetarian. View Recipe 07 of 13 Honey-Glazed Pork Tenderloin With Grilled Apricots Elizabeth Cecil Delicate tenderloin of pork cooks quickly on the grill. Then it's dressed in a make-ahead glaze with coriander and ginger. While it's resting, the remaining ingredients can be grilled. This is a satisfying platter, all it needs is to be served with some crusty bread and a green salad. View Recipe 08 of 13 Grilled Halibut Steak With Potatoes, Olives, and Onions Christopher Testani Summer style, defined. It's all here on a platter: Beautiful grilled fish, vegetables, bread, olives, and salad. This meal would be perfectly good using chicken breast instead of the halibut. View Recipe 09 of 13 Tri-Tip Steaks With Chimichurri and Garlic Aioli This recipe is sized for a crowd. A boldly seasoned steak is marinated for several hours before grilling, then thinly sliced. The two gutsy sauces can be made in advance and passed alongside. View Recipe 10 of 13 Grilled Beef Skewers with Zucchini and Mint Fresh mint leaves, lime, chile, and scallion elevate this grilled sirloin platter. Start a pot of brown rice 45 minutes before grilling, and dinner will be served as soon as the steak comes off the grill. View Recipe 11 of 13 Grilled Heritage Pork With Plums, Farro Verde, and Summer Herbs Jake Stangel This beautiful summer meal shows off seasonal plums and fresh herbs. A large on-the-bone roast requires a bit of planning; the pork can be salted up to 24 hours ahead of time. All the other components of the meal can be prepared while it's on the grill. A bed of grains of your choice can be used in place of the green farro. View Recipe 12 of 13 Fruit Platter With Whipped Ricotta Ryan Liebe Fruit for brunch or dessert can be enticing when served family-style. Elevate the usual fruit salad by poaching one of your most beautiful fruits—we used peaches here, or try figs or pears. Reach for an assortment of bright colors and serve with our homemade English cookies—alternatively buy your favorite digestives or shortbread cookies. View Recipe 13 of 13 Pull-Apart Vanilla-Wafer Cupcake Cake with Berries When it comes to dessert, this simple yet elegant cake makes a lovely centerpiece. Though it looks like a sheet cake, it's actually individual cupcakes, so guests can help themselves—no utensils or cutting required. View Recipe Was this page helpful? 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