A chips and salsa bar is an easy way to serve food when people are arriving at different times or helping themselves throughout an afternoon. Instead of preparing individual appetisers, one large table can hold several dips, toppings and plenty of tortilla chips.

Start with two or three salsas that taste noticeably different. A classic tomato salsa brings freshness, while a roasted tomato version has a deeper flavour. Mango or pineapple salsa can add something sweeter, particularly for a summer gathering.

Guacamole deserves its own place on the table. A simple version with avocado, lime, coriander and salt works with almost everything else being served. Keeping some avocado roughly chopped instead of completely mashed gives it more texture.

Other dips can broaden the selection. Black bean dip, queso, corn salsa or a creamy avocado dip are all easy additions. Fresh lime wedges, coriander, jalapeños and chopped tomatoes allow guests to add their own finishing touches.

The chips themselves can vary too. Alongside classic tortilla chips, serve blue corn chips, lightly spiced varieties or toasted tortilla wedges. Put out more than you think you will need, as they tend to disappear faster than the dips.

For a larger lunch, the same table can be expanded with grilled corn, quesadillas, tacos or bowls of seasoned beans. What begins as an aperitif can easily become the main food for a relaxed garden party.

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