Being the hostess with the mostest can be pretty stressful, especially when you're watching your waistline. So how do you make sure the impressive spread is on the table, not your middle?Finger food with friends
They say little pickers wear bigger knickers, but nibbling doesn't have to be dangerous. Create moreish satays by threading chicken breast marinated in 2tbsp each soy and honey, 1tsp each dark brown sugar and sesame seeds and a crushed garlic clove, on to a long kebab stick. Cook the chicken on a griddle or under the grill and serve with peanut butter loosened with a little sesame oil, soy and honey.
A sliced, toasted baguette topped with a combination of tinned tuna, a drizzle of olive oil and drained, rinsed cannellini beans can be livened up with olives, chilli flakes or torn basil.
Finish with banana slices, whole strawberries and cubes of melon part dipped in to melted chocolate and refrigerated well in advance.
Decadent dinner party
Whole fish is a great light alternative to meat and looks great on the table for a dress-to-impress dinner party.
Pre-heat your oven to 200C/gas 6 and lay six prepared whole sea bass in a large roasting tin with a drizzle of olive oil. Stuff the cavities with a couple of thinly sliced lemons, a large handful each of dill, thyme and parsley, adding a bay leaf and a clove of garlic to each fish. Glug over 300ml of white wine and cover lightly with a layer of foil. Bake for 25-30 minutes, basting a couple of times.
Once cooked reduce the pan juices for a couple of minutes before pouring over the plated fish. Serve with boiled new potatoes, tossed in a little butter and thyme or chopped parsley. Kid's party nibbles
Simple nibbles such as Twiglets, a low-fat alternative to crisps, and crudites made by slicing carrots, celery, apples and cucumber to strips offered with a houmous dip are always a hit with toddlers. Meanwhile the novelty of fruit kebabs - made by threading a selection of seasonal fruit pieces on to a stick - will distract from any lack of sweets, especially with a squirt of runny honey.
Older kids will love tackling mini pizzas and pittas, which are also fun to prepare. Use shaped cookie cutters on a large pizza base and spread each with ready-made tomato sauce or a 50/50 combination of tomato puree and tomato and basil pasta sauce.
Grate over cheddar or mozzarella and add a selection of toppings such as chicken and sweetcorn or ham and tomatoes before baking at 190C for 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, grill a stack of mini pittas, spread with mayo or houmous and stuff with chicken, salad, thinly sliced cucumber and carrot and quartered cherry tomatoes.
Informal light bites
When it's time to gossip with friends over a light lunch or early dinner pick something that's everyone can get stuck in to without running straight for the scales.
Prepare and cool 120ml wild rice and 225ml of brown basmati for a colourful superfood rice salad. Toss with three skinned and diced tomatoes and apples, diced cucumber, pepper, spring onions and a large handful of toasted walnuts and dried fruit (cranberries, goji berries or blueberries are good). Finally stir in a simple dressing made by pasting a clove of garlic and a pinch of salt in a pestle and mortar then whisking in a pinch of mustard powder, 6tbsp good olive oil and 3tbsp of white wine vinegar.
Otherwise try simply roasting an individual poussin for each of your visitors and allowing them to get stuck in with a roughly sliced artisan loaf and seriously posh mayonnaise.
Or briefly saute a couple of cloves of crushed garlic and a finely chopped onion in olive oil, throw in a jar of prepared clams and a glug of white wine. Allow to reduce slightly then stir in to cooked spaghetti and serve with parmesan.
Sweet tooth alternatives
Sweets can be healthy, delicious and sophisticated all at the same time. Try roasting peaches sprinkled with a little brown sugar and a dot of butter for 20 minutes at 200C/gas 6. Serve with minted creme fraiche. For an equally good treat, split open fresh figs, sprinkle with the brown sugar and lightly grill before serving with a dollop of Greek yoghurt?
Don't underestimate the power of presentation - pick up a selection of exotic fruits and just slice as thinly as possible with a very sharp knife. Laid out on a pretty tray and drizzled with balsamic vinegar or orange blossom water fruit can be as tempting as a chocolate gateaux.