We British love a barbecue. Who doesn’t enjoy burgers and kebabs served with lots of sides and salads. But if you’re ready to step up your barbecue repertoire (and avoid a last-minute dash to the shops in the sunshine) it’s time to prep ahead. Make and freeze burgers them in the fridge 24 hours before the big cook out. For a last-minute treat try these easy chicken burgers.

Nearer the time preload skewers like these spicy chicken kebabs and stash them covered in your fridge before you plan to cook them. Have some delicious veggie options ready too.

Picnics and days out

sunny days see us flocking outside for some well-earned. Avoid peckish walks and cycle rides or buying supermarket snacks at the seaside by packing a picnic, for easy picnic snacks dips and sandwiches.

But if you’re pushing the boat (or picnic basket) out pastries are perfect picnic-ready packages and fun to make. Quiches, Cornish pasties and pork and egg pie are classic picnic favorites.

Bread is a great portable food too and a picnic loaf or tear-and-share focaccia is perfect for tucking into your hamper. Scotch eggs in their breadcrumb coating make delicious picnic snacks too.

Fruity last-minute and prep-ahead treats

British summer fruit brightens up even the sunniest of days. Prep jugs of smoothies in advance so you can start the day right. If you’re entertaining make meringue a few days ahead and keep it in an airtight container then top it of strawberries raspberries or cherries or make a summer pudding a day in advance and stash it in the fridge. For the ultimate prep-ahead dessert keep a tub of homemade berry ice-cream in the freezer – or for a quick and easy treat whip up a fruit fool.

Exotic fruits conjure up far-flung sunny destinations even when it’s pouring with rain. Fruit that has travelled a long way to get here such as mangoes and pineapples is often picked before its prime so it can be best to buy it a few days before you need it. Transform your passion fruit bananas mangoes pineapples and limes into prep-ahead puds such as mango sorbet, tropical Eton Mess or panna cotta with pineapple.

If your haul of fruit is soon to be past its best chop it up and freeze it in bags so that you can make smoothies when the sun’s shining.

Last-minute and prep-ahead veg treats

Local seasonal veg tastes best when it’s crisp fresh and eaten fresco so there’s good reason to get excited for the season’s haul. Whip up salads such as this fennel and beetroot slaw in advance and dress them at the last minute.

These kale pea and ricotta fritters and beetroot veggie burgers are ideal for stashing in the fridge ready to cook. When time is tight a tray bake such as this salmon broccoli and bean tray bake makes a great summer treat. Soups such as this spinach and egg soup are a quick and easy way to use up veg and can be stored in the fridge.

Grill peppers and store them in a jar or in the fridge ready to add a luxurious touch to salads or stock up on jarred marinated or grilled vegetables. Try this roasted red pepper and artichoke salad.

Ice cream

Get your freezer stocked up for sweltering weekends by making ice cream. Whether you’re a fan of traditional flavours, zingy and refreshing sorbets or new flavors that you probably can’t get from the local ice cream van.

Summer cocktails and mocktails

From mojitos sangria and Pimm’s to watermelon coolers and classic elderflower cordial summer drinks are very special. They can make or break a garden party or picnic, so it’s to get your drinks offering right. Fresh fruit and herbs feature heavily in our sensational sipping suggestions! The best way to get prepped for summer cocktails is by slicing up limes lemons and oranges to freeze and add to drinks when needed. Blueberries raspberries grapes and pineapples also make fantastic edible alternatives to ice cubes.