This elegant appetizer is refreshing and surprisingly toothsome. A quick time on the grill and a bit of hot Spanish paprika give watermelon a hint of smoky flavour. The simple, yet elegant presentation brings a special feel to the evening.

Celebrate the glory of summer by showcasing some fresh garden bounty. A crudité platter always goes down a treat, especially when it’s full of the summer’s best. Radishes, carrots, garden peas, young broccoli, and even tiny gem lettuce are wonderful additions. It all gets topped off with a zesty dressing made with cilantro, orange, lime, and a hint of sherry vinegar.

Infused with fresh summer thyme and raspberries, this refreshing spritzer is full of flavour, but won’t go to your head. Topped off with a dash of soda to give it some sparkle, this not-too-sweet soda is a sophisticated sipper perfect to kick off a summer evening. You may want to make a double batch.

With seasoning inspiration from North African cuisine, this grilled chicken and potato meal is simple enough to serve on any summer weeknight. Harissa is a feisty chili paste hailing from North Africa and an exciting marinade for juicy chicken. With a bit of extra fat, chicken thighs tend to retain more juicy flavour on the grill than does breast meat. Taking the extra step of par-boiling your potatoes until slightly soft before grilling them helps ensure that the outsides don’t char long before the potatoes are cooked all the way through on the grill. If available, try the Moroccan spice mixture ras el hanout to season the potatoes.