How many of us end up spending money on expensive restaurant meals when we meet up with friends or family?

All too often we're put off by the perceived amount of work and effort that goes with hosting a get together. Casual dining at home is now the new going out but can we really make entertaining at home effortless? We believe you can so we've put together some ideas for shared dishes which work well for informal get-togethers. Invite a friend or two an hour early and you can combine quality together time with the preparation which not only shares the work load but makes it all seem effortless!

Platters or mezze are the ideal choice for a casual gathering and really help get a crowd mingling. You need to make sure that you cater for all tastes and dietary requirements so offer a selection of meat, fish and vegetables as well as dips and spreads. Here are our favourite selections:

1) Meat - Prosciutto ham, slices of chorizo, marinated chicken pieces with sweet cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, sliced red onion and rocket or watercress leaves - serve with ramekins of Real Organics Tomato Chutney and accompany with Nairn's oatcakes.

2) Seafood - Poached or smoked fish such as salmon, trout or mackerel as well as prawns or shrimps served with baby asparagus, slices of beetroot, spinach leaves and sun-dried tomatoes - serve with ramekins of tahini dip and accompany with Nairn's fine milled oatcakes.

For the tahini dip combine 2 tablespoons of low fat cream cheese with 4 tsp of tahini and some fresh herbs such as flat leaf parsley (finely chopped).

3) Vegetarian - Marinated vegetables such as artichoke and mixed peppers, cubes of feta cheese and olives as well as batons of carrots and cucumber all served with a mixed leaf salad combining lamb's lettuce, radicchio and rocket. Accompany with a home-made hummus and Chalice's olive tapenade as well as Nairn's herb oatcakes.

For the hummus, blitz chickpeas (canned, rinsed and drained), 60g tahini, 2 dessertspoons of lemon juice, 1 crushed garlic clove, 60ml bio yogurt and 2 dessertspoons of olive oil together until smooth.

For a sweet finale offer a platter of fruits including Urban Fresh black cherry or mango and Nakd's amazin raisins along-with a mixed range of seasonal summer berries.