When it comes to Summer Bank Holiday, we’re thinking of alfresco brunch, picnics in the park, and barbecues with friends. Whatever you’ve got planned this weekend, standing in the kitchen all day rather than spending time with your loved ones shouldn’t be on the cards. We know that hosting people requires a bit of planning, but let us tell you that you can have the best time with your friends and family, plus a delicious, veggie-packed feast, without a meltdown in the kitchen. With our selection of easy, summer recipes, you’ll make the most of the extended weekend. Enjoy!
Every great meal starts with flavour-packed appetisers. But it doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Whether served solo or alongside your mains as part of a larger spread, these are the recipes to enjoy.
A delicious snack or light lunch, this pan con tomate is garlicky and fresh, and is perfect when tomatoes are in season for maximum flavour. We love the crispy harissa chickpea topping, and it’s also great with some basil, rocket, or thinly sliced fennel.
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With just 6 ingredients and 4 steps, you’ll have this sharing dish on the table in under 20 minutes. Fresh, vibrant, and incredibly delicious; it’s been a massive hit in the DE office, dubbed the “the green version” of last year’s favourite, our Creamy Bruschetta-Style Salad. There’s something about piling grilled summery veg on a bed of zesty yoghurt with crispy garlic and mint that just hits the spot every time.
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Simple, healthy and fun to make, these Vietnamese summer rolls are crammed with crunchy raw veggies, fresh herbs and soft noodles, all tucked inside a delicate rice paper wrapper. Make sure to serve with the creamy peanut sauce for dipping.
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Packed with flavour and ready in minutes, this dip is perfect for a picnic, BBQ or served with lots of fresh veggies, crackers or as part of a spread when you have friends round. It also keeps in a sealed container for up to 5 days, so enjoy the leftovers in sandwiches or on the side of salads and traybakes.
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A go-to for hot summer days, this refreshing gazpacho is full of flavour and is healthy too — it’s packed with vitamin C and delivers two of your five-a-day. Enjoy it chilled, topped with creamy avocado salsa.
View RecipeA show stopping centrepiece should be three things: delicious, easy, and stress-free. Our top tip to make them stand out is to use garnishes like fresh herbs, zested lemon, or chilli. If it works with the dish, you can also elevate them with a drizzle of pesto, tahini sauce, or dollops of yoghurt-based dips. We’ve rounded up a few of our favourite summer dishes, and we can guarantee they’re the ultimate crowd-pleasers.
Looking for a super easy recipe to impress your friends and family? This roasted aubergine dish ticks all the boxes. Not only does it look amazing, it can be prepped ahead of time, so when you’re ready, all you need to do is assemble it. Delicious on its own or served as part of a larger mezze of salads, hummus and flatbreads.
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Sweet potatoes and chickpeas are roasted with paprika and cumin, then tossed through kale with a creamy cashew dressing and finished with a sprinkling of parsley, chilli flakes and black pepper — simple, creamy and delicious.
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We know how much you all love our orzo recipes, so wanted to make you a super summery, veggie-packed version full of delicious Mediterranean flavours. It makes a perfect simple summer supper, and the leftovers work great for lunch the next day. We’ve added tofu for extra protein, but feel free to swap it for beans or lentils.
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Impress friends and family with this simple rustic galette. Topped with sweet cherry tomatoes, seasonal courgettes and a layer of pesto, it makes for the perfect summer lunch.
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If you want a super speedy, vibrant summer meal — this is what you need! Simply bake a handful of tortillas while you quickly pan-fry some seasonal veggies, then pile them up with a dollop of pesto yoghurt and a little lemon zest.
View RecipeWe think the right salad works any time of year, but they really shine in summer. Whether you’re searching for the perfect side or a satisfying main, these vibrant salads are the ones to make.
15-minutes, one pan, tons of greens. This simple herby salad with garlic croutons is a perfect speedy summery lunch; especially when you’re WFH and need something quick and nutritious. The super green dressing boosts the salad’s plant power — you’ll get 10 plants in the recipe overall — and the croutons give the perfect crunch (once you’ve tried them, you’ll be adding them to everything!).
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With juicy mango, green beans and quick pickled red onion and chilli, this spicy salad is speedy, nourishing and packed with flavour. Adding the quinoa gives it extra protein and gut-loving fibre for long-lasting energy.
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Creamy, crunchy, sweet and spicy, this speedy salad has it all. Sweet roasted tomatoes, crunchy sourdough, fresh basil and butter beans are layered onto a bed of creamy, garlicky yoghurt, then finished with a drizzle of balsamic and a sprinkling of chilli flakes.
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Try this colourful salad with crunchy raw vegetables, topped with a creamy peanut dressing, roasted peanuts and punchy pickled chilli. Full of incredible textures, bold flavours and minimal fuss, it makes for an easy lunch or supper.
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I have a feeling this creamy Caesar bowl is going to be our most popular recipe of 2023; I can’t recommend it highly enough. Not only is it absolutely delicious and ready in under 30 minutes, it’s also loaded with nearly 35g of plant-based protein in every serving, thanks to the chickpeas, tofu, edamame beans and quinoa. Combine this with fibre and healthy fats, and you have the perfect dish to keep you feeling fuller for longer.
View RecipeWhether for brunch, an afternoon sweet treat, or dessert, these recipes hero the very best of summer produce.
Chickpea blondies are having a moment so we've given our original recipe a glow-up. These are filled with juicy raspberries, toasted hazelnuts and drizzled with glossy dark chocolate. Perfect for a picnic or getting cosy with a cup of tea.
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If you’re looking for a summery sweet treat that's super easy to make, requires only 4 ingredients, and is completely moreish — these raspberry, chocolate and peanut butter bites are the perfect option. Combining raspberries, chocolate and peanut butter, they provide fibre, protein and protective antioxidants; teamed with delicious creamy yoghurt, they'll satisfy your sweet cravings while also being good for you.
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Full of fresh strawberries and zesty lemon, this simple loaf celebrates the best of summer flavours. Perfect as a delicious afternoon treat (when you need to switch up your banana bread!) or pack it up for a picnic. The best part, it only requires 10 minutes of hands-on time to make, meaning it’s a no faff recipe. Feel free to swap the strawberries for whatever summer berries you have in the house.
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The perfect fuss-free breakfast. This takes less than 15 minutes to prep the night before, meaning you have the most delicious, nourishing breakfast ready to go as soon as you wake up.
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This super simple pancake recipe is great at any time of the year, but adding the pan-fried maple peaches turns our classic recipe into the most perfect summer brunch.
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