With its long days, warm nights, and an abundance of fresh produce available, summer is the perfect time to catch up with family and friends. Whether you’re hosting casual afternoon drinks or catering for a big family celebration, the key to summer entertaining is to reduce the fuss so you can relax and enjoy this special time.

If you’re looking for easy recipe ideas, open sandwiches are the ultimate combination of sophistication and simplicity. We can’t think of anything better than buying a loaf of fresh crusty bread, giving it a generous smother of good quality butter, and topping it with some smoked salmon and a sprinkle of dill or fresh avocado, tomato, and feta.

They are as versatile as they are delicious.

From Italian bruschetta to Danish smørrebrød, these unsung heroes of the culinary world are always a crowd pleaser and with endless combinations available, they will cater to a wide range of dietary preferences and satisfy the fussiest of eaters.

You can serve these up as an easy family lunch after a morning at the beach, or if friends drop in unexpectedly, you can prepare an ‘open sandwich buffet.’ All you need is a loaf (or two) of good quality sourdough bread, prepare the table with platters of delicious fresh toppings, and let your guests build their own. 

 Alternatively, if you want something a little fancier, embrace your inner artist and prepare a platter of open sandwiches. Choose toppings that have contrasting colours and textures- use the entire summer palette to create a feast for the eyes as well as the tastebuds.

If you’re not sure where to start, here are some handy tips inspired by the Danes:

• Avoid mixing proteins.
• Layer thin toppings before bulky ones.
• Use more than two ingredients.
• Give it texture and garnishes, like sprouts on top.
• Make it look appealing.

Open sandwiches are a great way to showcase the best of what summer has to offer and the addition of sprouts will provide an extra burst of nutritional value. While we’re always looking for new ways to embrace the seasons, here are some of our favourite open sandwich combinations: