Easy but impressive summer dinner menu needed. Must suite kids & adults. Fully make-ahead dishes only. Ideas?

No cook pasta sauce. Chop tomatoes and mince garlic and torn basil. Marinate with a good helping of olive oil, salt and pepper. I usually toss this over hot pasta, adding diced fresh mozzarella and a good handful of Parmesan. However, it is equally good served at room temperature. The olive oil and the juices from your very ripe hopefully heirloom tomatoes make the 'sauce' Simple but delicious.

You can add a ratatouille, made ahead, served room temp and a frittata, (sausage and spinach?) served cold or room temp with french bread for a meal. Then make peach crumble for dessert and you will satisfy everyone with seasonal ripe ingredients.

Taco Salad Bar - Everything can be made ahead and people put on their own toppings. A big bowl of greens. Bowls protein of chicken, fish, pork or whatever you like. Bowls of olives, cucumbers, carrots, onions, grated cheese, salsa, tortilla chips, guacamole, corn or whatever else you like. Have done this twice in the last three weeks with great success.

Mediterranean dinner. To be made at home: Grilled and sliced leg of lamb served at room temp (grilled that morning or even the night before), tomato and cucumber salad, tzatziki. Pick up at store: pita, olives, hummus. All that needs to be done when guests arrive is plate and serve!

Home made pizza! can be made ready to slip into an oven or onto a grill whenever you are ready.

I have done something similar with grilled fish tacos. If anyone does not like fish, you can grill 1 chicken breast at the same time. Serve with cabbage/cilantro slaw, pickled onions, avocados, fresh salsa (pico de gallo), and crema (or 1/2 mayo, 1/2 sour cream mixture thinned with a little lemon juice to be easily pourable). Cookies and sorbet are always hits for desert.

I just answered 'carnitas taco bar' to another post so I'll just repeat it here. The carnitas can be made ahead of time and just warmed slightly or brought to room temp. Serve with crumbled cotija, pickled onions/peppers, avocado and salad.