I always throw a big dinner party for my birthday— it's in 2 weeks & I have no idea what to make! What are ur favorite mediterranean summer recipes/ cuisines? no alison roman plz

Question

I always throw a big dinner party for my birthday— it's in 2 weeks & I have no idea what to make! What are ur favorite mediterranean summer recipes/ cuisines? no alison roman plz <3

Eric · Answer

I love Claire Robinson’s  as well as  Fallow’s version of “Red Wine Braised Short Ribs”: This dish is mostly hands off, with the exception of searing the meat…. It’s relatively easy & I sometimes make adjustments, based on what I have on hand.

Tracie · Answer

Roast chicken with dates, olives and capers | Ottolenghi Recipe: Chicken Marbella is such a classic all season recipe, but I prefer this version with dates (instead of prunes). Chicken thighs and pomegranate molasses instead of date syrup are my swaps.

eva h · Answer

yotam ottolenghi’s rice: so sorry for the rando blog link, i have his cookbook and this is the link i could find that matches. the perfect base for all the things.

Mark Cilia · Answer

Ligurian Seabass: Simple summer fish recipe!

Lulu Lefferts · Answer

Salt Fat Acid Heat: The kofteh & labneh recipes. Borderline for the region you described but DELICIOUS.

Ryan · Answer

Fresh BLT Pasta Salad (dairy-free!): My mom has been making this dish every summer over the past few years. It’s absolutely delicious; creamy, crunchy, sweet and salty. It’s also relatively quick to throw together :)

One of my favorite pasta salad recipes of all time!

Keek · Answer

deconstructed sushi bar: a side of salmon, piles of chopped cucumbers and avocados, julienned carrots, etc

Martha Tesema · Answer

Spring Sugar Snap Pea & Radicchio Chopped Salad (GF, DF, Vegan) — Lily Feeds You: So. Good. So. Fresh. Subscribe to her Patreon, it's worth it!

Gail · Answer

Crispy Smashed Potato Salad: This recipe for potato salad came across my feed in 2024 and I’ve eaten it so many times that I salivate thinking about it. Saw someone add tuna one time. Not for me, but shows how you can get creative with it. We gotta level up our summer potato salads and crispy is the way to go.

bella · Answer

pavlova: A pavlova is my favorite low-lift dinner party dessert. Make a big one orrrrr individuals if ur feelin fancy. A little whipped cream on top and your favorite fruit (i went black cherry + passionfruit here) and you’re set!!!

bella · Answer

labneh w charred scallions + chili oil: My friends request this at every gathering ever and it’s SO simple - labneh gets a little salt, green onions are fried in olive oil til they’re dark n crispy, chili oil on top. Serve w bread. It’ll be gone in a second!!!

AllCapsKyle · Answer

Yotam Ottolenghi: Max and Flynn’s Lemon Sorbet: These are a great summer treat, and easy enough to make for a large number of guests!

Kate Fisher · Answer

Rhubarb Roasted Salmon: Take advantage of rhubarb being in season! Love this salmon recipe from Melissa Clark at NYT. Plus unexpected rhubarb in a main dish vs a tart/dessert.

Claire · Answer

Martha Stewart Curry-Yogurt Marinated Lamb Kebabs: When in doubt, kebabs! It’s amazing what you can skewer and bbq

JZ · Answer

Joojeh Kabab – Chicken Drumettes Kabab: The prep is a lot BUT the cook is super easy and these are soooo flavorful.

AKB · Answer

Alison Roman’s spicy marinate anchovy appetizer: The best easiest appetizer! It’s so unexpected but delicious. I usually pair it with something fresh and cooling ( homemade dill dip and radishes, labneh and cucumbers ) and champagne or an aperol spritz. Crowd pleaser every time !

Darcy Groves · Answer

Sheet-Pan Feta with Corn and Shishito Peppers: I made this for a crowd recently and it was so quick and really delicious! You also easily scale up to make two full pans.

I love any recipe that uses the broiler to simulate a grill and the peppers get so nice and crispy and the feta melts beautifully with a golden crust!

Francesca McConchie · Answer

Baked Alaska: There aren't enough ridiculous show stopper puddings in my life.

Sophia Lucchesi · Answer

alison roman tomato tart: This tart is always a showstopper. It’s even better if you use a ton of different tomatoes!

Cathy · Answer

Dorie Greenspan Bakes Every Summer: I LOVE this dish. Easy, flavorful, effortless and delicious. Just need a nice crusty bread to soak up the juices. Best with fresh summer veg - but honestly grocery store anytime of the year with the oil and herbs works just fine.

amy groome | mid-flight · Answer

Sheet-Pan Chicken Thighs With Spicy Corn | NYT: This spicy corn chicken thigh mash up is fantastic! A favorite for our family all summer long, and who doesn’t love a sheet-pan recipe?!

Meez Stephanie · Answer

Nigella's fancy cole slaw (Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad): I usually make this as a side without the chicken, although I have also made it with the rotisserie chicken. I always try to add fresh peas, or cut-up sugar snap peas if I can't get fresh shelled ones. People love it! So flavourful.

Theresa · Answer

Mexican Street Corn salad: I’ve made this for several summer parties and it’s been a big hit. I use frozen roasted corn which makes it all super easy. I just toss the corn in straight from the bag and by the time everything else is in the bowl the corn has defrosted and is the right temp for serving. Several  stirs with a spoon throughout the process (after adding each ingredient) helps the flavors really blend.

Hannah Harvey · Answer

2026 Easy-But-Fancy Summer Menu: I swear by caro chambers’ entertaining menus - they come with a PDF that contains a grocery list, plan of action broken up by “day before” “morning of” etc so everything is prepped and easy, and she always includes a lot of substitution options!!

alyssa swigart · Answer

Sticky-Sweet Five-Spice Pork Ribs: these ribs require almost no prep and don’t even require a grill! great for a crowd if the crowd eats meat. they’re always a hit. old molly baz for BA so you know it’s solid

Gracie · Answer

Ina Garten’s corn salad: Never fails me!! Such a crowd pleaser.

Amy · Answer

Extra Coconut Cake (Alison Roman): One of my favorite celebration cakes to bake and eat! 🥥

Monique · Answer

Lemon & Lime Mintade from Smitten Kitchen: This is literally perfect, low effort / high reward, & it covers all your bases. Great as is for a n/a sipper but also superb when paired with gin & garnished with cucumber. Or bourbon, or tequila. Bright, herbal, & crowd pleasing summer in a glass, you’ll feel oh so chic because you just, threw it together ✨

Wynne · Answer

Panzanella Salad:

This is the best food! Like it truly might be the best bite of anything you could put in your mouth. I think I love it even more because you really can only eat it for a few months every year and then you totally need to forget about it (probably obvious but do not attempt this outside of tomato season). To me this is summer (and joy) in a bowl.