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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Yvonne C Lam

Nine bring-a-plate ideas for Christmas drinks, barbecues and dinner parties this summer – recipes

Olives! Anchovies! Focaccia! Rukmini Iyer's gildas in carriages.
Olives! Anchovies! Focaccia! Rukmini Iyer's gildas in carriages. Photograph: Matthew Hague/The Guardian. Food and prop styling: Florence Blair. Food styling assistant: Emma Cantlay.

Like nibblies, the concept of bringing a plate to a social event or a host’s home can be deeply confusing across cultures and generations. Are you carting canapes? Are you slinging salad? Are you delivering dessert? If we’ve learned anything from the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, it’s that communication is key. So if you’re unsure about what your host expects, just ask.

Below are nine summer-friendly recipes to suit various bring-a-plate scenarios: one-bite snacks that go with cocktails, salads to bring to barbecues and make-ahead dessert for dinner parties, arranged in each category from easiest to most ambitious.

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