You can make the platter of cheese as decorative as you want. Kids will love poking toothpicks into the tiny cheese bricks.

Serves: 6-9 people

Ingredients:

• 3 ounces each of different types of cheeses – pick a variety of textures, colours and flavours
• Basic spread: Mozzarella, Edam, red or white Cheddar and Gouda
• Gourmet Spread: Brie, Camembert, Aged Gouda, Roquefort Blue Cheese, Gruyere
• Assorted fruits such as apple slices, grapes, figs, dates, dried apricots and cranberries
• Crackers, crostini bread, slices of fresh French bread
• Additional accompaniments – olives, nuts, roasted red peppers, jams and jellies

Method:

Pick a decorative plate that is large enough for all your cheeses. Remember to let your cheese come to room temperature about 60 minutes before serving. Start placing the cheese wedges clockwise with the mild cheeses such as brie, then plate the soft to semi-soft such as camembert, next is the bolder aged cheeses like the gouda, finishing with the strongest of the plate which is the roquefort blue cheese and gruyere. The crackers, fruits and other items can be decorative around the cheese or in separate bowls nearby.

About as healthy as you can get and just as delicious, fruit kebabs will fill your family up. Perhaps the kids can help by skewering the pieces.

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 8 wooden skewers
• 2 bananas
• 1 cup diced melon, any kind
• 1 cup diced apples
• 2 pints of strawberries

Method:

These are simple kebabs that you can easily make with any fruit that is your favourite. Make sure all the fruit pieces are approximately 1inch square pieces. Alternate the fruit for good colour and flavour variety. Then pierce and thread the centre of each fruit piece until each skewer is full of fruit. You can make the skewers look uniform by threading the same order of fruit or randomly thread them for variations. As a final touch consider adding apple sauce for yogurt for dipping.

What a classic! It doesn't get easier or tastier than this. A firm teenage favourite!

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 8 slices bread
• 8oz/200g grated cheese
• 8 teaspoons soft margarine or butter
• 4 teaspoons French mustard

Method:

1. Pre-heat the grill. Toast the bread on one side.
2. Toast other side until it crisps but has not turned brown.
3. Mix the grated cheese, margarine and mustard together and spread over the toast.
4. Grill for about 2 minutes until bubbling and starting to brown.

Hummus can be addictive, so watch out! This no mess snack can be bought in most supermarkets or make your own at the weekend and store it in the fridge.

Ingredients:

• 200g Chickpeas (tinned or dried chickpeas that have been soaked and cooked)
• 1-2 teaspoons of lemon juice
• 1 clove of garlic (optional)
• About 100mls water
• 50mls tahini or sesame seed paste (use a little olive oil or sesame oil if you can't get hold of any tahini)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Put the chickpeas, lemon juice, tahini, garlic, salt and pepper in a blender and blend
2. Add a little of the water to make a stiff paste. The amount of water you need will vary so add a little at a time
3. You can add a little more salt and pepper or lemon juice to taste. You can also add some olive oil for extra richness.

Mama Mia! Bring the taste of Italy into your home with this quick and delicious Italian favourite. Its family appeal will surprise you!

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of crusty bread
• Half a clove of garlic
• Olive oil
• Tomatoes
• Sea salt
• Fresh basil leaves (optional)

Method:

1. Take each slice of bread and cover lightly with half a teaspoon or so of olive oil
2. Put the slices under the grill, taking care not to overcook them
3. Hold the cut side of the garlic towards the bread and rub it lightly
4. Chop some tomatoes and mix with olive oil
5. Add a sprinkle of sea salt
6. Place loosely on top of the cooked bruschetta
7. Top it off with some fresh basil for an extra Italian kick!

The classic chicken favourite! Mix with veg to add colour, flavour and some sneaky nutrition!

Serves: 4-6 people

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken fillets
• Olive oil
• 8 shallots
• 4 red, yellow or green peppers
• 4 courgettes
• Wooden skewer sticks

Method:

1. Chop the ingredients into bite-size portions
2. Place in bowl and drizzle with olive oil
3. Thread on to the skewers, alternating the meat with the veg
4. Grill until chicken is cooked through.

Who doesn't love pancakes? This recipe is easy peesy family fun! For something a little different try adding stewed fruit and honey, nutella, bananas and maple syrup as delicious pancake fillers!

Serves: 4 people
12 pancakes (double the mixture if you need more)

Ingredients:

• 100g/4oz plain flour
• 2 eggs
• 300ml/10fl oz milk
• 2-3 tablespoons sunflower oil

Method:

1. Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl, make a well in the centre and then add the beaten eggs
2. Use a balloon whisk to beat the eggs into the flour and gradually whisk in the milk until just smooth
3. Brush a non stick medium frying pan with the oil and when very hot pour in about 3 tablespoons worth of the batter
4. Quickly tilt the pan from side to side to form a thick layer of batter and cook for one minute
5. Flip the pancake over with a spatula and cook until the underside is slightly golden
6. Continue with the rest of the batter, recoating the pan with oil when required
7. Excess pancakes can be refrigerated or frozen for a tasty snack!

As easy as it sounds! The ideal snack that can be rustled up while the kids are setting up the board games.

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken fillets
• Olive oil
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 whole lemon
• Wooden skewer sticks

Method:

1. Cut the chicken into strips about a centimetre across
2. Place the skewers carefully lengthways down the chicken
3. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas mark 4
4. Grate or mince the garlic and add to the oil and lemon juice. Drizzle over each strip of chicken
5. Leave the chicken covered in the fridge to marinate while the oven heats up
6. Bake for 45 minutes, turning the chicken occasionally so it cooks evenly
7. Serve with napkins.

Nothing simpler or more delicious! Serve chilled with a straw and/or a cocktail umbrella for extra fun and glamour!

Serves: 4 people

Ingredients:

• 4 bananas
• 4 scoops of vanilla ice cream or 4 tablespoons of yoghurt
• 4 teaspoons of honey or maple syrup (optional)
• 4 cups of milk

Method:

1. Chop the bananas
2. Put all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth
3. Pour into tall glasses with some crushed ice