As summer starts to settle in, we’ve already had a little glimpse of those long, hot days ahead. And when the sun’s shining, the last thing we feel like making is anything too heavy - or standing over a hot oven while the kitchen slowly turns into a sauna.
These are the dinners we find ourselves coming back to every summer. Light, colourful recipes that feel fresh and vibrant, but still properly satisfying. The kind of meals that come together effortlessly, don’t require much thought, and somehow taste even better eaten outside in the evening sun.
Think zingy dressings, handfuls of fresh herbs, crunchy veg, and bold, feel-good flavours. Whether we’re cooking for friends, throwing something together after a long day, or just craving food that feels nourishing without weighing us down, these are the recipes we’ll be making on repeat all season long.
At Deliciously Ella, we always find comfort in a warm bowl of noodles that’s full of flavour but still feels refreshingly light. This dish does just that – a rich umami miso sauce, a hint of chilli and satisfyingly crisp greens. It comes together just in half an hour, making it the perfect easy weeknight bowl.
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We’ve been making this salad on repeat during the recent heatwave. Ready in under 10 minutes, and with just a handful of ingredients, it’s perfect as a light lunch or served alongside a barbecue spread. Sweet figs, juicy tomatoes, fragrant basil, good olive oil and a zingy splash of sherry vinegar — simple, fresh and so delicious.
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Speedy and vibrant, every mouthful of this tangy noodle salad is full of healthy zingy flavours. Red grapefruit, chilli, basil, mint and lime give you a fresh, juicy hit, while creamy avocado, crunchy cashews and noodles give it great texture. Not to mention it looks lovely with the pink and green colours.
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This colourful salad is full of summer’s star ingredients – fresh tomatoes, crisp cucumber and soft herbs, tossed with lemon, sumac and crispy chickpeas. It’s perfect as a side, snack or salad, and packed with nutrients like fibre, protein and antioxidants. We love this served with toasted pittas or flatbreads.
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This is one of those salads that makes eating well feel easy – warm, colourful and full of flavour. With around 20g of plant protein per portion, this warm, colourful salad is perfect for keeping you nourished and energised. Tossed in a simple za’atar dressing, this is the kind of recipe we meal prep on a Monday night, ready to set us up for a busy week.
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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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This punchy pasta salad comes together in just 15 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights or speedy summer lunches. It’s bursting with iconic Mediterranean flavours – artichokes, olives, lemon, extra virgin olive oil, crunchy walnuts, basil and sweet cherry tomatoes – so if you close your eyes, you might just think you’ve been transported to the Mediterranean coastline.
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This colourful salad is all about big textures and bold flavour – golden roasted veg, crisp tofu and a punchy wasabi dressing that you might find yourself making on repeat. It’s simple to make and really satisfying to eat.
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This is a simple lunch packed full of flavour and veggies. The miso mushroom sauce is thick and delicious, with the wilted spinach adding some freshness and the sliced spring onions adding a crunch. We love to serve this on thick slices of sourdough.
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This colourful and hearty dip is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Great as a side, served with tortilla chips, there’s a reason it's been a viral recipe.
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There’s a reason why this has been our community’s favourite salad for years now, and this is because it has the world’s best creamy cashew dressing. You simply toss it with loads of nourishing veggies and greens to make the most delicious 20-minute lunchtime staple. Why not try adding tofu for extra protein and to boost those all-important plant points?
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This is a great, speedy and simple lunch to make at home. The homemade pine nut pesto tastes delicious with the crispy spiced tofu. We love to make it with thick pieces of sourdough bread.
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