We tend to have lighter appetites in warmer weather, so you can switch hearty dinners for tasty sharing plates and adventurous salads.
Seafood platter
If you’re not confident about cooking live shellfish, get frozen raw king prawns, langoustine and scallops which can all be pan fried with a little oil in just a few minutes when you want them. (With langoustine, add fresh herbs, garlic, chili and a little salt, to taste.) Make a feast of it with tasty accompaniments. Make sure seafood is thoroughly defrosted before cooking.
- Mix a little wholegrain mustard and lemon with mayonnaise to create a dip.
- Serve with fresh crusty bread rolls.
- Make a big bowl of boiled new potatoes, halved and tossed in lemon and olive oil, with finely chopped chili or chopped ripe avocado, to taste.
Salmon with grilled courgette
This salmon recipe is wonderfully tasty served with a crisp green salad and is colourful too!
- Marinade strips of skinned salmon fillet then grill, or chargrill if you have a griddle pan.
- Cut courgettes lengthways and lightly coat with a lemon and oil mixture before adding to the griddle or cooking in a hot frying pan for a couple of minutes.
- Throw in fresh herbs to taste when cooking, and put a little jug of homemade salad dressing (olive oil, balsamic vinegar and finely chopped garlic) on the table.
Vegetable quiche with asparagus
Vegetarian recipes are great for the summer and provide a lighter alternative to meat-based dishes. Big thick slices of quiche make a wonderful centerpiece alongside side bowls of salad, coleslaw and pickles.
- Roll out a large pastry base and leave this to sit and chill in the fridge for half an hour. Then bake this at 180°C (gas mark 5) for about 20 minutes.
- Lightly sauté finely chopped spring onion and garlic, fine asparagus tips, fresh peas and any other veg according to your taste. Add this to the pastry case and arrange the asparagus so it will look pretty when baked.
- Whisk two whole eggs, two egg yolks, 50ml single cream together, season and pour this over the vegetables.
- Bake for 20 minutes at 180° (gas mark 4), or until cooked through.
For more alfresco ideas, check out our Barbecue inspiration from around the world too.
Savvy tip
Now you have these great dinner recipes make the most of long light summer evenings and invite friends over. Check out these quick ways to prepare your garden for entertaining
Pass it on – delicious summer drinks recipes
Five easy ideas for alcohol-free cocktails and thirst quenching cordials for friends and family.
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